Professor of Artificial Intelligence

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – School of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing (AIAC)

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science

CAMPUS: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University [XJTLU], Entrepreneur College (Taicang) Campus

CONTRACT TYPE: Full-time; Fixed-Term/3-year contract, renewable. The 3rd contract is open-ended.

University Overview

In 2006, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has around 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for the UK and other institutional partners. At the same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practices and culture from the West and East.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn

Entrepreneur College (Taicang) Overview

In 2019, the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) was launched as a pioneer of and an educational model for the future university and campus in developing talents and leaders to meet local, national, and global challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Developed in collaboration with the Taicang Municipal Government and industry partners, the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) moved to the university’s newly opened award-winning Taicang campus within Greater Suzhou in September 2022. As a result, there are opportunities at all levels for innovative academics in the fields represented by several different schools and education platforms.

For detailed information about the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang), please visit: https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/study/departments/entrepreneur-college-taicang/

AIAC School Overview

The School AI and Advanced Computing (AIAC) is one of 7 industry-themed Schools in the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). Common to each School is an Education, Research and Development Institute (“ERDI”) for teaching and university-business research collaboration, a professional services centre supporting the daily activities of students, staff, and business partners, and a School Affiliated Company, which has been jointly established by XJTLU and the School’s industry partner for practical on-the-job learning and teaching.

AIAC has been developed with the direct involvement of leading businesses at the forefront of AI and computing developments. As a result, the School has a robust business development strategy linked to the AI industry’s technological and research developments. Our industry-led research is underpinned by our entrepreneurial ethos, which is central to the school’s activities. Academic staff work closely with our industrial partners, developing academic programmes and research projects that focus on applied AI solutions and commercialisation opportunities.

Our student-centred teaching ensures students are at the heart of everything we do. Our degree programmes offer a solid grounding in the foundations of the discipline, immerse students in entrepreneurialism and technology through industry practices, and ensure students are fully prepared for their career development.

For detailed information about the school, please visit:

https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/study/departments/school-of-ai-and-advanced-computing

POSITION OVERVIEW

The successful candidate will be a senior staff member in the School and will be responsible to the Dean for effectively managing and administrating the School’s activities. Through their leadership, the candidate will ensure that the School meets its ambitious targets by creating an intellectually stimulating and vibrant environment where its students and staff can flourish.

The broad dimensions of the post are to:

• Lead and grow the research and academic profile of the AIAC in collaboration with the School’s industrial partners.
• Provide leadership and vision for the future direction and development of AI research and teaching in the School.
• Shape the School’s research strategy, deliver high-quality research, and support entrepreneurial-focused teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Take on leadership, management, and external engagement activities to support the School.
• Be a strong advocate for the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities and Duties

We are looking for future colleagues in all fields of Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Biocomputation, Neural Networks, Generative Artificial Intelligence, or Mathematical Modelling who can:

• Conduct high-quality research, evidenced by publications in world-leading journals, and attract industry and government research funding by offering significant research impact.
• Deliver high-quality teaching to undergraduate and graduate students, as evidenced, for example, by peers, students and external examiners.
• Work collaboratively across the campus and the wider university to ensure an inclusive, enriching and enabling entrepreneurial learning experience.
• Work collaboratively with the Dean of School in designing and implementing the School’s Research, Enterprise, and Industrial Development strategies.
• Work with relevant colleagues and departments to identify opportunities for successfully exploiting research opportunities.
• Create and support a healthy industry-enhanced research environment, with agreed annual research outcomes and expectations, emphasising impact and industry-funded quality research and innovation.
• Identify and implement strategies to maximise grant capture and research income from external funding bodies and business/industry.
• Supervise PhD students and mentor Early Career Researchers in PhD supervision.
• Contribute to the development of the School by providing expertise and performing horizon scanning for the development of new opportunities at home and abroad.
• Generate and manage major research grant applications to support innovative industry-focused cross-disciplinary research and become an ambassador for the School to promote interdisciplinary research and teaching activities.
• Represent the Dean of School when necessary, within the College, University and externally as appropriate.
• Any other work-related tasks assigned by the Dean of School or Director of ERDI.

Essential Qualifications/Experience

Successful applicants to the position of Professor are expected to have:

• A PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, or other relevant disciplines from a world-renowned university.
• Ideally, hold a PgCert HE or equivalent.
• Outstanding research leadership and management experience and the ability to motivate and inspire teams with good people skills.
• A national/international reputation with demonstrable impact in any research and innovation fields relevant to the School.
• Evidence of successful research partnerships with academic institutions and external organisations.
• Evidence of good, sustained, and successful leadership of research grants and consultancy contracts and conducting high-quality research, evidenced by clear impact of output and publications in leading journals.
• Demonstrable experience in cooperating with industrial partners to develop R&D projects.
• A rich experience in teaching, research, academic leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, strategic planning and financial management in a university and business environment.
• First-class networking skills and an ability to build and nurture external contacts and partnerships, working with businesses and other organisations in the area of innovation and business support to benefit the School.
• Excellent organisational, implementation and monitoring skills to deliver successful outcomes.
• A good track record of engagement with students and industry.
• A high level of communicative competence in English.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective interaction internally and externally.
• The ability to motivate and inspire a range of colleagues and stakeholders to understand and be involved in the work of AIAC and the wider university.
• Strong teamwork spirit.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working in a relevant industry would be an advantage.
• Evidence of administration and management experience in international universities or Sino-foreign joint universities would be an advantage.
• Professional memberships such as BCS, IET, ACM, IEE and HEA.
• Knowledge/experience in international higher education.

Research Funding Support

The university provides every new faculty members a Research Development Fund to encourage them to initiate research projects and a Research Engagement Fund to support their continuous research activities. The university will also support all faculty members applying for national, province and city-level programmes. These programmes aim to support excellent Chinese and non-Chinese citizen scientists working and conducting research in China. Successful applications will be based on the applicant’s educational background, academic/research field, research achievements, working experience, etc. The university will provide full support for the applications.

Talent/Research Programme - Funding

• Outstanding Youth Science Foundation Project (Overseas) - RMB 1-3 Million
• Innovation Leading Talent - up to RMB 2 Million
• Outstanding Leading Talent of International Discipline - 50% of Annual Package
• Young Leading Talent of International Discipline - 50% of Annual Package

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS

1. Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as

• Housing allowance
• Travel allowance
• Education allowance
• Relocation allowance

2. Commercial insurance: International insurance plans customised for XJTLU staff and family members (for details, refer to the University Policy)

3. Paid holidays:

• Statutory Holidays (11 days)
• Full Paid Holidays (36 days per academic year including university close days and annual leave)
• Family Matters Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Leave
• Paternity/Maternity Leave
• Parental Leave

4. Working visa and residence permit in China: XJTLU sponsors working visas and residence permits in China for the staff

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your applications online

Applications must be submitted in a single PDF file that includes 3 parts in the following order:

• A cover letter specifying your suitability for the role
• A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact details for three references (at least a reference from current or most recent employer. Preferably current employer *and* last employer)

For further information and an informal discussion, please get in touch with Professor Angelos Stefanidis, Dean of School, by email at Angelos.Stefanidis@xjtlu.edu.cn.

If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Human Resources Office. Email: Mingyu.Yuan@xjtlu.edu.cn

Applications should be received by the closing date stated above.