Founding Dean of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences

[a new Faculty to be established on 1 January 2025] 

Founding Dean of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (Ref. 241030001-IE) 

With over 85 years of rich heritage, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has evolved alongside society and made pivotal contributions to the development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. The University pursues world-class excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer to nurture socially responsible leaders and professionals, as well as to drive impactful research and innovation. PolyU will strive to continually excel as an innovative world-class university that makes a positive impact on society, living up to the University’s motto: “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. 

Ranked among the top 100 universities globally by well-known ranking organisations such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education (THE) and U.S. News & World Report, PolyU offers a wide range of world-class educational and research programmes in seven faculties (including this new faculty to be established on 1 January 2025) and three independent schools. PolyU has furthermore achieved remarkable results in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 – it is ranked 32nd for the subject of “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” and 88th for the subject of “Computer Science and Information Systems”. PolyU has achieved a new high ranking of 30th in the “Best Global Universities for Mathematics” in the U.S. News & World Report 2025, making it the top-ranked institution in Hong Kong for the subject of Mathematics. In addition to this new high ranking, PolyU has also maintained its position among the World Top 100 in the QS World University Ranking for “Statistics and Operational Research”. 

For further details about the University, please visit PolyU’s website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/. 

Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences 

This new Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FCMS), to be established on 1 January 2025, will initially comprise three constituent academic units: Department of Applied Mathematics, Department of Computing, and Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. As PolyU’s answer to the challenges posed by the AI age, FCMS is expected to experience continuous growth over the coming decade, including the opportunity to establish additional academic units. FCMS is also expected to position PolyU as a world leader in the fields of applied mathematics, computing, data science, artificial intelligence and beyond, in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer, for the benefit of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. 

The University is now looking for this Founding Dean of the new Faculty and inviting nominations and applications for the post. The successful candidate should be qualified for appointment as Chair Professor, normally on regular terms in one of the three constituent Departments of the new Faculty, and will hold the Deanship on a concurrent basis. The Deanship appointment is normally for an aggregate period of six years in two three-year terms of office, but with possibility of further extension dependent on individual merits and achievements. 

Job Functions 

The successful candidate should be a visionary leader as well as a world-renowned scholar in a relevant field pursuing impactful research and innovation with a strong commitment to building a world-leading faculty. Reporting directly to the Deputy President and Provost, the appointee will be required to assume the following responsibilities: 

1. Provide a forward-looking vision and effective leadership for the Faculty through proactive strategic planning, innovative strategies, strong teamwork and extensive engagement with stakeholders;
2. Secure ample resources and manage resources efficiently to drive educational, research and knowledge transfer excellence;
3. Ensure high-quality teaching as well as the holistic development of students and align FCMS’s programmes with societal needs; 
4. Foster innovative and original research by all academic staff and maximize the impact of their research by supporting effective technology transfer;
5. Promote genuine cross-disciplinary/departmental research programmes through appropriate mechanisms and incentives;
6. Strengthen partnerships with both academic and non-academic organizations around the world for strategic collaborations;
7. Stimulate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to support various activities; and 
8. Undertake any other responsibilities as assigned by the Deputy President and Provost or the Central Management Team of the University from time to time.

Qualifications 

Applicants should have: 

1. Both a distinguished record as a world-leading researcher in a core field of FCMS and a strong reputation of and commitment to educational excellence;
2. A proven track record of extensive experience and remarkable achievement as an academic leader in driving changes and achieving educational and research excellence;
3. The ability to promote interdisciplinary collaborations within the University to contribute to the digital transformation of the University’s educational and research undertaking;
4. The capacity to develop strong global networks for enhancing the internationalization of the educational and research activities of the Faculty;
5. Excellent and effective communication, interpersonal and resources management skills with strong commitment to ethics, transparency and fairness; and
6. Substantial knowledge of the higher education environment in the local, regional and/or global contexts.

Conditions of Service

Terms of appointment and remuneration package are negotiable and highly competitive. For general information on terms and conditions for appointment of academic staff in the University, please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/docdrive/careers/doc/Prof.pdf.

Application and Nomination

The University invites applications and nominations for this appointment. Please submit an application through PolyU’s career website. Candidature may also be recommended by nominations via email to the Chairman of the Search Committee for recruitment of Founding Dean of Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at hrscfcms@polyu.edu.hk. Consideration of applications and nominations will commence on 1 December 2024 until the position is filled. General information about the University is available at https://www.polyu.edu.hk or from the Human Resources Office [Tel: (852) 2766 5306]. The University’s Personal Information Collection Statement for recruitment can be found at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/careers/pics_for_recruitment/. 

PolyU is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces diversity and demonstrates inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and experiences where all members of the University are treated with fairness, dignity and respect. To learn more about the University’s “Statement on Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Inclusion”, please visit our website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/equal_opportunities_diversity_and_inclusion/.