The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) 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.

SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Research Assistant Professor in User Experience-Service Design / Design Innovation and Entrepreneurship (two posts) (Ref. 21060305)

The School of Design, as a leading and transdisciplinary design school, is at the forefront of nurturing responsible, open-minded, creative talents and active learners; contributing to innovation in Hong Kong and Mainland China while maintaining a global perspective. As one of the top design schools in the world, its highly diverse design expertise and academic programmes include: Advertising Design, Communication Design, Design Strategies, Digital Media and Interaction Design, Environment and Interior Design, International Design and Business Management, Product Design, Urban Environments Design, and its recently launched programme in Social Design. The School’s research and consultancy work are of an applied nature relevant to industrial, commercial and community needs. It is ranked 15th by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020 for Art and Design, and is based in a Zaha Hadid building well-equipped for innovative research and creative learning on the university campus. Please visit the website at http://www.sd.polyu.edu.hk for more information about the School.

The Design discipline at the School takes a sustainable and humanistic approach which also aims to expand the scope of traditional design into the sociotechnical realms. The three conceptual pillars constitute: (a) Social Design - collaborative design with communities and the public sectors to improve living conditions through critical, systemic and participatory approaches; (b) Design Economies - entrepreneurial design that enhances service innovation and value creation in the private sector; and (c) Design Making - human-centered and hands-on design investigations in labs and with communities, in the practices of making and prototyping via socio-technical means. They are identified as the three flagship themes to consolidate the research focus and emerging pedagogies in the School.

The appointees will be required to: (a) conduct research as the main duty and actively pursue external research grants, such as General Research Fund, as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator; (b) conduct research that leads to publications in refereed journals, or a body of design work which leads to outputs contributing to the knowledge and teaching of the design disciplines; (c) provide quality teaching at undergraduate or postgraduate level; and (d) contribute to departmental service.

Applicants should (a) have a doctoral degree in relevant disciplines; (b) have demonstrated promise of a high level of creative ability in research and teaching in some subdivisions of his/her field; (c) be able to demonstrate effective classroom teaching skills; and (d) be highly proficient in written and spoken English.

Preference will be given to those with experience in writing research proposals.

Applicants are required to submit (a) a letter of application together with completed application form declaring a focus area of expertise; (b) an updated curriculum vitae; and (c) a one-page statement of research explaining specially how to collaborate with other disciplines.

Remuneration and Conditions of Service

A highly competitive package including a medical benefits plan and a gratuity payable upon completion of the term which is normally for three years initially, with possibility of extension for another three years. Applicants should state their current and expected salary in the application.

Application

Please send a completed application form by post, providing the names and addresses of three referees, to Human Resources Office, 13/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong or via email to hrstaff@polyu.edu.hk. Application forms can be downloaded from http://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/job/en/guide_forms/forms.php. If a separate curriculum vitae is to be provided, please still complete the application form which will help speed up the recruitment process. Consideration of applications will commence on 1 July 2021 until the positions are filled.  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.