Chair Professor of Building Informatics

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a government-funded tertiary institution in Hong Kong.  It offers programmes at various levels including Doctorate, Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees.  It has a full-time academic staff strength of around 1,200.  The total annual consolidated expenditure budget of the University is in excess of HK$7.6 billion. 

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY ENGINEERING /

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING

Chair Professor of Building Informatics (Ref. 21060201)

The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) and the Department of Computing (COMP) jointly invite applications or nominations for the post of Chair Professor of Building Informatics.

BEEE of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was officially established in December 1981, and since then it has been a vital source of professionals to meet the needs of the enormous construction and building operations and maintenance industry of Hong Kong.  Just as PolyU which has been developed from its teaching-focused origins to become an internationally leading technology-oriented University, BEEE has followed suit, along with its sister departments in the Faculty of Construction and Environment, with equal emphasis on high quality teaching and world-leading research. This is borne out by BEEE’s contribution to PolyU’s ranking of 18th in the QS 2021 subject ranking of Architecture/Built Environment. BEEE's research also contributes significantly to PolyU’s Civil and Structural Engineering ranking of 22nd.  BEEE is undergoing revolutionary changes with modern smart building systems increasingly aware of and proactive in responding to changes in the environment and user behaviour through sensing ambient conditions and exploiting historical data to provide optimal results in terms of efficient resource utilisation and user satisfaction. These changes will result in buildings becoming part of a “living” smart urban environment with enormous data generating networks on movement of resources (water, power, gas, data) and people through urban infrastructure. Future building engineers will need training to exploit this wealth of data in designing high performance buildings and building systems, such as by applying AIoT and big data technologies using BIM and digital twin systems. Please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/beee/ for more information about BEEE.

COMP of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, founded in 1974, pioneers the development of computing education in the territory.  With over 45 years of success, COMP plays a strong role in undertaking world-class research including but not limited to the areas of Big Data Analytics and AI, and nurturing talents to support the advancement of society.  Moving forward, COMP is determined to assert its position as the leader in education in computing and interdisciplinary research through various practical application-oriented projects, generating worldwide benefits to mankind.  COMP envisions that it will become the influential icon in smart computing internationally. COMP has been widely recognised by the global community with its high positions in different world university rankings over the years. It has been consistently placed among the top 100, even among the top 50 in some of the years, by all renowned global rankings, including QS World University Subject Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Best Global Universities Rankings by the U.S. News & World Report.  Please visit the website at https://www.comp.polyu.edu.hk/ for more information about COMP.

Job Functions

The Chair Professor is expected to provide leadership in academic activities, including research, teaching and service in both departments.  We are seeking to appoint a senior academic with a proven track record and international research reputation in Building Informatics.

The appointee will be required to:

(a) provide leadership in all aspects of academic activities, such as programme development and curriculum planning;

(b) engage in funded research projects and scholarly activities to advance knowledge in the field of building informatics, artificial intelligence, data science and edge computing;

(c) initiate, lead and engage in research and scholarly activities serving the professional industry;

(d) initiate and lead joint research activities with BEEE and COMP acting as a bridge between the two departments to generate new interdisciplinary collaborations building upon and strengthening existing links;

(e) teach at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels in building informatics and computing, particularly in AIoT, data science & programming, machine learning, automation and control, innovation, invention & entrepreneurship;

(f) act as student advisor and supervisor to groups as well as individual students; and

(g) undertake administrative duties in relation to academic affairs.

Qualifications

Applicants should have:

(a) a doctoral degree in a specialised area of big data analytics, AI, edge computing or a related discipline supported with substantial post-doctoral professional and/or academic experience;

(b) an outstanding record of professional and scholarly achievements, including academic publications and an international reputation as a leading scholar in a relevant discipline;

(c) a demonstrable commitment to excellence in teaching, research and professional service;

(d) outstanding spoken and written communication skills in English;

(e) management experience in an academic or professional setting; and

(f) qualities of creativity, good organization skills, initiative and leadership.

Remuneration and Conditions of Service

Terms of appointment and remuneration package are negotiable and highly competitive. For general information on terms and conditions for appointment of academic staff in the University, please visit the website at http://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/TC.htm.

Application and Nomination Applicants are invited to send a detailed curriculum vitae by post, providing the names and addresses of three referees, and direct any enquiries to the Chairman of the Faculty Staffing Committee (Chair Professors), Human Resources Office, 13/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong or via email to search.chairprof-bse.comp@polyu.edu.hk, quoting the position being applied for and the reference number. Recruitment will continue until the position is filled. Candidature may be obtained by nominations. General information about the University is available at http://www.polyu.edu.hk or from the Human Resources Office [Tel: (852) 2766 5041]. The University’s Personal Information Collection Statement for recruitment can be found at  http://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/job/en/guide_forms/pics.php.

PolyU is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, ethnicity, nationality, family status or physical or mental disabilities.