Work type: Full-time
Department: Faculty of Social Sciences (30000)
Categories: Professoriate Staff

Tenure-Track Professor and
Director of the Methods Hub for Research, Policy and Practice
in the Faculty of Social Sciences
(Ref.: 499245)

The University of Hong Kong

Founded in 1911, the University of Hong Kong is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in teaching and research, and has been at the international forefront of academic scholarship for many years. The University has a comprehensive range of study programmes and research disciplines spread across 10 faculties and over 140 academic departments and institutes/centres. There are 29,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 50 countries, and more than 2,500 members of academic and academic-related staff coming from multi-cultural backgrounds, many of whom are internationally renowned.

The Faculty of Social Sciences

Ranked 2nd in Asia, the Faculty of Social Sciences consists of six Departments: Geography, Politics and Public Administration, Psychology, Social Work and Social Administration, Sociology, and the Journalism and Media Studies Centre. Underpinning the Departments are three research clusters (Cities 2050, Contemporary China, and Mental Wellness) prioritized under the new Faculty Research Strategy that represent the areas of strength, in which the Faculty is investing further resources to elevate the scale and impact of the research. We have a thriving set of undergraduate programmes, including dual degree programmes with various international partners, an excellent research postgraduate MPhil and PhD programme, and a variety of professionally-oriented Master’s and Doctoral taught programmes.

The Position

Applications are invited for appointment as Professor, to commence as soon as possible, on a three-year fixed-term basis, with the possibility of renewal and with consideration for tenure before the expiry of a second three-year fixed-term contract. Direct tenure may be offered to outstanding candidates, subject to approval. The appointment as Director of the Methods Hub will be made for an initial three-year term, renewable subject to mutual agreement.

The Faculty of Social Sciences seeks senior leaders to help us achieve our ambitions of scholarship at the highest levels focusing on people and their place in the world. As part of the strategy for enhancing our ambition in research and teaching, we are building a Methods Hub for Research, Policy, and Practice to strengthen our quantitative and qualitative methods expertise in research and teaching. The aim of the Methods Hub is to substantially enhance our expertise in quantitative Social Science, and raise the quality and coherence of research methods training for students and staff. We are now recruiting a Professor in the field of Social Sciences with an outstanding quantitative research programme, who would also serve as Director of the Methods Hub for an initial three-year term. This leadership role would help build quantitative infrastructure across the Faculty, and oversee upskilling of expertise in our staff and students. The appointee will have teaching responsibilities in the area of quantitative methods for the Social Sciences, and be expected to continue their high-impact research programme. The appointee will be housed within one of our Departments.

Applicants should possess a track record of high impact publications and a sustained record of success at obtaining large-scale competitive research funding. Experience in raising philanthropic funds will be an advantage, as well as the demonstrated ability to create real-world impact through their research agenda. Applicants who are aligned with at least one of our Faculty Research Clusters and are able to reach out to colleagues across the disciplines in our Faculty and University are preferred.

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits. At current rates, salaries tax does not exceed 15% of gross income. The appointment will attract a contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme, totalling up to 15% of basic salary. Housing benefits will be provided as applicable.

How to Apply

The executive search firm Perrett Laver is supporting the Faculty of Social Sciences in this recruitment exercise. To apply, or to download further information on the required qualifications, skills and experience for the role, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/, quoting reference 4383. Initial inquiries may be directed to Dr. Cora Hui at Cora.Hui@perrettlaver.com.

Applications should consist of a cover letter together with an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) and related dossier. Review of applications will start on December 30, 2019 and continue until January 13, 2020.

The University is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency