Head of Chemistry Department

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – Chemistry Department

School: School of Science

Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended 

UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW 

ABOUT XJTLU

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 over 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. 

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model. 

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 UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east. 

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

ABOUT DEPARTMENT

The Chemistry Department was established in 2011. Our international department has 15 academic staff actively engaged in high quality teaching and research in the areas of material science, computational chemistry and biomedical chemistry. The Department currently delivers one undergraduate BSc programme in ‘Applied Chemistry’ and one Master programme ‘MRes in Advanced Chemistry’. In 2017, our BSc in Applied Chemistry programme was accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the first RSC accreditation of its kind in China. 

For more information: https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/study/departments/school-of-science/chemistry  

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The position of Head of Department [HoD] is crucial to the effective operation of XJTLU. Departments are the fundamental building blocks of the School and University, and the Head is a critically important communication link between the School and University and the individual members of academic staff. The HoD is responsible to the Dean of their School and the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the entire operation and performance of the department and the professional behaviour of each individual member of staff. The HoD is a key leader, manager, and administrator without whom the university cannot function. 

Qualified candidates should have a relevant PhD degree with substantial high-quality publications and competitive grant records, recognised status as an international leader in the field, and a record of successful academic leadership. The research achievements of the Department have gained national and international recognition, and the next HoD will be expected to build on this success to further elevate the Department as one of the leaders in the field. The term of appointment is three years. 

Position Leadership

• The HoD provides leadership, academic direction, organizational management and oversight to the department.
• The HoD leads the departmental strategic planning process. The Departmental Strategy is the fundamental guideline for the operation and development of the department. The university has a system of rolling three-year plans to identify annual operational objectives and resource planning.
• It is the responsibility of the Head to work with the Dean and Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching of their School to ensure that teaching programmes maximise the market opportunity for the presentation of their discipline or field of study. 
• It is the responsibility of the Head to ensure that the content of modules is kept up to date; and that new advances in teaching technology and academic discussions are accommodated.
• It is the responsibility of the Head to work with the Dean and Associate Dean for Research and Impact of their School to oversee the research direction and performance – collectively and individually – of the department.
• The HoD oversees the development of the Department’s internal and external engagement. The aim of such outreach activities is to help the department integrate into the School and University and appeal to the wider community. This is important for ensuring the department’s resource base and for publicising its activities, which in turn will aid the development of its capacity. Outreach includes areas such as engagement with other departments within the School, University, external organisations, knowledge exchange (applied research) activities, and Executive Education.
• The HoD plays a leading role with other Heads of Department in the School to work closely with the Dean and Associate Deans to help build a collaborative spirit, cooperative environment and collective visioning for the entire academic unit. 

Position Administration

The HoD is responsible for the strategic and annual planning of the Department in consultation with the Dean.

• The HoD is responsible for the organization and administration of the department. In some cases, the Head carries out the task themselves. In other cases, tasks are assigned through delegation.
• The HoD will develop and implement the department’s individual work allocation model. This is a fundamental guideline for effective and efficient workload allocation and people management within the Department.
• The HoD is responsible to the university for the implementation of all its academic and operational policies, rules and regulations. Of particular importance in this regard is the conduct of examinations and marking and moderation regimes; implementation of the staff attendance and absence policy; observance of the staff code of conduct; observance of quality assurance processes and procedures; and adherence to the university’s language policy.
• The HoD delegates tasks to members of the department, who through their involvement will feel greater engagement with the work of the department. Greater engagement also plays an important role in succession planning, where less experienced colleagues can be developed to a point where they can assume roles of significance in the department in the future.
• The HoD may be asked to take on specific administrative tasks by the university. These include service on committees or working parties; chair of review panels; and other more specific duties.
• The HoD is directly responsible within the Department for:

• • Individual staff work allocation
  • Budget development and expenditure
  • Financial approvals for expenditure from departmental budget
  • Ensuring quality and standards are upheld, including accreditation requirements
  • Staff appointments; identifying need, defining the specification and justification, organizing recruitment, overseeing interview panel arrangements, and recommending appointment
  • Formal staff Professional Development Reviews and processes
  • Staff disciplinary issues
  • Student disciplinary issues and complaints
  • Assignments of administrative duties to other staff
  • Implementation of staff attendance and absence policy
  • Leave of absence approvals
  • Dissemination of information regarding the development of the university, especially changes to policy, university regulations, and issues discussed at the Academic Leadership Group.
  • Maintenance of record of staff authorised and unauthorised absences
  • Ensuring that the requirements of PRC legislation and XJTLU regulation on Health and Safety are all met. 

Position Management

• The HoD manages all academic staff, along with all academic and administrative functions of the department.
• The HoD manages rather than directly administering. The HoD ensures that staff carry out their duties professionally, effectively, and at the highest standard possible. Management entails talking and communicating with people, providing support to them in their work, ensuring direction and providing useful and meaningful feedback to enable departmental work to be successfully completed.
• The HoD also provides in-line supervision and management of some individual staff. Effectively a manager cannot manage more than approximately six direct reports. Consequently, it is recommended that a department with more than ten members of staff establishes a managerial hierarchy based on this principle.
• The HoD is responsible for the effective management of the Professional Development Review system within the Department.
• The HoD is the manager of Health and Safety in the Department. 

Position Key Relationship

• The HoD is managed by the Dean. Any change in formal supervisory relationship for Heads of Department will be determined on a case-by-case basis, with the approval of the VPAA and EP.
• The HoD is responsible for the Department and reports to the Dean.
• The HoD works closely with the Dean and the Associate Deans for Learning and Teaching and Research and Impact within their School to ensure the development of programmes of Teaching and Learning, Research outputs, and International activities.
• The HoD works closely with other HoDs in the same School to ensure the development of teaching and research synergies, provision of administrative services and economies of scale, and activities to raise the profile of the School and its departments.
• Each HoD works closely with other HoDs, especially through the Academic Leadership Group, which is the key forum in the university for the discussion of academic operational affairs.
• The HoD meets regularly with their direct reports within the Department.
• The HoD meets regularly with all staff in the Department.
• The HoD is leader and mentor to all staff in the Department, especially to junior staff. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The HoD is responsible to the Dean of their School and the Vice President Academic Affairs for the academic development of the department. This includes research performance, teaching delivery, and outreach activities.

• The HoD is responsible for the regular assessment of teaching and research outcomes, and works with the Dean and relevant administrative departments for the improvement of teaching and research outcomes.
• The HoD is responsible for ensuring the application of all university policies and regulations by members of staff in the department.
• The HoD is responsible for ensuring adherence to the laws and directives of the People’s Republic of China by staff in the department.
• The HoD speaks with university authority within the department. This authority is particularly important in safety matters. The HoD’s authority may only be countermanded by the Dean of the School or the VP for Academic Affairs. 

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS 

Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas. Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China. 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT 

• Clear career development path with annual review.
• Professional development trainings are provided. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market 

BENEFITS:

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

• Travel allowance
• Housing allowance
• Education allowance
• Relocation allowance
• Etc.

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

3. Paid holidays:

• Statutory Holidays (11 days)
• Annual Leave (36 days)
• Family Matters Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Leave
• Paternity Leave
• Parental Leave
• Etc.

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

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your application Online by clicking the 'Apply' button

Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes three (3) parts in the order of:

• A cover letter
• A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact Details for Three (3) Referees 

For general enquiries, please email Dean, School of Science Dr. John Moraros at John.Moraros@xjtlu.edu.cn or the Recruiting Team, Ms. Zhi Yang at Zhi.Yang@xjtlu.edu.cn.

Please quote the position and job ID in your enquiry.