Director of Education, Research and Development Institute (ERDI)

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – School of Robotics

 ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF ROBOTICS

The School of Robotics is one of the seven industry-themed Schools in the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang). Each School consists of an Education, Research and Development Institute (ERDI) for teaching and research collaboration, a one-stop School Office providing professional services to support student administration and activities, members of staff, and industry partners, and an affiliated School Joint-Venture Company jointly established by XJTLU and the School’s partner for industry-embedded teaching, learning, practical, and other activities. The governance of the School is through a School Council. The Dean of School oversees the School Management Team as well as contributing to the leadership of the college. 

The School of Robotics is jointly developed by the University and an industry partner – Siasun, to deliver the industry-themed programme(s). The first degree programme that the School has launched for the Academic Year 2019/2020 is BEng Intelligent Robotics Engineering with Contemporary Entrepreneurship. 

Industry Partner Overview

Siasun is the international headquarter of Siasun Robot & Automation Co., Ltd. in Shanghai. It is committed to creating a leading-edge international, innovative and platform-based for the industry of robots. The main businesses of Saisun include intelligent robots, intelligent manufacturing, and industry incubating. For more information please see www.siasun-in.com/ 

The Director of ERDI is responsible for the development and innovation of Education, Research, and key development in industry schools. In carrying out their duties, the Director of ERDI, is a member of the School Management Team (SMT). The School Management Team is led by the Dean of School and comprised of the Director of ERDI the CEO of School Joint Venture, and the School Manager. 

Working with the Dean of School, the main duties of this position include:

• Lead the design and development of syntegrative projects in schools in particular the integration across programmes or even across Schools.
• Engage actively with new educational models and embrace innovative, interactive, technology-enhanced learning, teaching, and assessment approaches.
• Create, nurture, and support a healthy industry-focused research environment, with agreed annual research outcomes and expectations agreed with the School Dean and wider Entrepreneur College.
• Lead and manage the School’s business engagement initiatives with a view to building an extensive portfolio of potential industry collaborative partnerships, working with the College’s Business Development team.
• Working with the Business Development team, identify and implement strategies to maximise research income, with a focus on business/industry, and develop syntegrative projects from industry that leads the learning and teaching in schools.
• Drive an emphasis on impact-creation through sustainable and unique value proposition in improving the School’s funded quality research and innovation and/or knowledge exchange activities, with a focus on industry.
• Support innovative cross-disciplinary research and become an ambassador for the School in promoting cross-boundary research and teaching activities through Centre of Excellence.
• Act as coordinator in schools in contributing to the development of XEC Innovation Factory, X3Co-Venture, and Non-degree Education.
• Manage the operation of research in schools including RDF, SURF, and present the school in University Research Committee.
• Support the XEC research coordinator in terms of PGRS operation.
• Represent and deputise for the Dean of School where necessary, within the College, University and externally as appropriate.
• Mentor and support early career academics, and undertaking reasonable administrative responsibilities in line with the college WAM.
• Any other appropriate tasks assigned by the University’s SMT, School Council or Taicang’s Leadership Team through the Dean of School.

Personal attributes: 

This role will attract academic leaders embodying Syntegrative Education (SE) values, who are passionate in engaging in a future-focused co-learning ecosystem comprising students, academics, practitioners, university, industry, and community. The Director of ERDI is a leader who thrives by creating impact through managing, nurturing, and enabling authentic engagement, cross-boundary collaboration, collective learning and discovery programmes and activities. The candidate adopts a system mindset, understands trans disciplinarity and complexity, uses his/her knowledge, skills, and experiences to deliver success and create impact for the School, College and University.  

Qualifications:

• Hold a doctoral degree in an appropriate subject/subject area, or be able to demonstrate an equivalent professional practice and engagement to a similar level.
• Clear understanding of the philosophy and concept of Syntegrative Education (SE) and demonstrable past teaching/industry/leadership experiences or practices aligned with Syntegrative Education (SE).
• Be familiar with and observe China and United Kingdom’s rules, and regulations of higher education. 
• Possess and demonstrate excellent leadership and management experience, and ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational and implementation skills, and experience of working towards and meeting set targets, evidenced by important activities, events, projects in their past career.
• Be able to demonstrate impact in any of the academic fields relevant to the School. 
• Demonstrate rich experience in some or all of the following; teaching, research, academic leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, strategic planning and financial management in a university and/or business environment.
• Have a good sense of business and industry trend, and can demonstrate a good track record of industry engagement in various forms. 
• Demonstrate a high level of inter-cultural competence, especially in how industry operates within China.
• Some experience of working in a relevant industry would be an advantage. 

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

1. Clear career development path with annual review.
2. 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

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

2. Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (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 on our university website 

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

• A cover letter
• A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level
• Contact Details for Three References 

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email to Ms. Yu Yan, HRBP at yu.yan@xjtlu.edu.cn