Fixed-Term/Tenure-Track Faculty Positions in the Global Intellectual Property Institute

Fixed-term/tenure-track (6 years) positions are available for assistant or associate professor - may be promoted to tenured positions. Full-time tenured positions are available for associate professor or professor and can be negotiated. 

About us 

Nanjing University is a leading university in China with a profound history of over 120 years. Founded in 2023, the Global Intellectual Property Institute of Nanjing University seeks to explore a future for all humanities where technology, cultural diversity and legal innovation may interact to define how innovation and development can both thrive in critical global transformations. 

The Institute operates in accordance with high international standards. We will bring together global academic and industrial leaders in cross-disciplinary areas of intellectual property (IP), AI, big data, digital economy, high-tech innovation and global governance and form robust research, teaching and industrial engagement activities. Our unique advantages include global experiences, a development-oriented vision, and the capacity to closely work with leading industries in China and worldwide. 

In September 2024, the Institute launched a major Global Intellectual Property Forum, which was attended by leading professors from Harvard, Cambridge, NYU and the like, together with over 300 people from industries. 

We select candidates from IP law and cross-disciplinary areas, in particular AI governance, data and technology law. We welcome people from all backgrounds – both Chinese and non-Chinese. Cultural and logistic support will be offered to assist your smooth transition.   

The Global Intellectual Property Institute is located in Nanjing University's state-of-the-art Suzhou Campus. Suzhou is one of China's strongest economies next only to Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Suzhou city is traditionally the heart of Jiangnan (China's most advanced region), a cultural and historical centre, and a dynamic hub for cutting-edge technologies and entrepreneurship. Suzhou is one of China's most livable cities known for comfortableness and affordability. It is 30 mins by high-speed train to Shanghai. Numerous foreign companies have operations in Suzhou. The Campus is situated in breath-taking scenic areas where China's third-largest lake (Lake Tai) is located. The region is surrounded by urban buildings, mountains, parks, wetlands and rivers.  

The successful candidates may work for both the Institute and the Law School of Nanjing University, which is one of the best law schools in China. IP law is part of NJU’s law discipline but our Institute is independently funded by the University.  

The Institute's Founding Director is Professor Ken SHAO, LLB (Nanjing), LLM (London) & PhD (London), Distinguished Professor of Nanjing University. Before returning to China in 2023, Professor Ken Shao had studied and worked in the UK and Australia for 22 years. He is known for his highly original research in intellectual property and oriental values, and is a pioneering leader recognized by industries in the Asia-Pacific for an innovative Chinese law program he founded in Australia in 2007. He became a tenured full-time professor in a QS Top-100 and Go8 Australian university in 2014.  

Job Description 

The Global Intellectual Property Institute's global recruitment aims to attract eminent researchers with backgrounds in intellectual property and the relevant disciplines. The candidates should ideally have research expertise in the following areas: 

• Intellectual property law, especially patent law;
• Emerging and leading areas of IP law concerning or related to AI, big data, digital economy, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, international relations, and global governance;
• Corporate IP management;
• IP law-related areas of technology law or digital governance. 

Fixed-term/tenure-track (6 years) positions for assistant and associate professor are available and may be promoted to tenured positions. Full-time tenured positions are available for associate professor or professor and can be negotiated. 

Requirements 

The applicant should

• abide by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, and have a passion for teaching and research;
• abide by the code of conduct for teachers, uphold academic integrity, be willing to work diligently, and have no criminal record or record in breaching the code of conduct for teachers or academic integrity;
• have a PhD in the relevant discipline from a leading university (postdoctoral experience is not required but desirable), experience in studying and/or working at a leading institution, and knowledge of the latest international trends and development in the relevant research field(s);
• have outstanding teaching abilities—the applicant should be able to teach core and innovative courses in the corresponding discipline, and have sound teaching skills and strong communication abilities;
• demonstrate outstanding research track records and potentials—the applicant should have publications in his/her field of research, original ideas about relevant fields of research, a clear future research plan, and good potential for further academic development.

 Remuneration 

• A competitive annual salary: ¥370,000 to ¥420,000 (approx. US$51,575 to US$58,545) per annum (Tenure-track assistant and associate professors);
• Health insurance, retirement pension and social benefit will be mostly covered by the employer;
• A start-up research fund;
• Opportunity to supervise postgraduate students;
• Housing subsidies and benefits, as well as the right to purchase a quality property offered by the university at a discounted price;
• Assistance with children's schooling in primary and secondary schools; international schools are accessible. 

How to Apply 

Applicants are welcome to email the Institute's Founding Director Professor Ken Shao directly for enquires. An application should be consisted of: 

• A letter of application (please specify the field of research and position).
• A detailed CV (please include a list of publications).
• Research portfolio, including an introduction of your research and its significances.
• Research plan and its prospects.
• A teaching portfolio.
• Three reference letters. 

Contact: Professor Ken Shao (Founding Director)

Email: k.shao@nju.edu.cn

Tel: 86-512-68768146 (Administrative Assistant Ms Zeling Zuo) 

Closing date 

Recruitment on a rolling basis, but the openings will be closed once a desirable number of candidates have been recruited. Interviews and assessment will be organized in several rounds depending on the number of applicants. 

Location:

Nanjing, Suzhou - China

Salary:

¥370,000 to ¥420,000 (tenure-track assistant and associate professors)
£41,680.50 to £47,313 converted salary* per annum

Hours:

Full Time

Contract Type:

Fixed-Term (6 years) and may be promoted to a tenured position.