Faculty Position in Sustainable Design

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – Industrial Design

School: Design School

Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended

Advertisement Closing Date: 30th June 2023

 ABOUT XJTLU 

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

ABOUT DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

The Department of Industrial Design at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University was established in 2013 with the aim of training a new generation of industrial and product designers able to tackle the challenges associated with China's ongoing social, cultural, and economic transformation. With the announcement of China’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, in accordance with its 14th Five-Year Plan, the Department of Industrial Design has positioned itself at the forefront of Chinese creative industries by training design innovators and leaders of the transition to a de-carbonized circular economy. Thanks to a multidisciplinary, international team of academic staff in a vibrant teaching and learning ecosystem, undergraduate, masters and PhD programmes offered by our department combine speculative with applied research. Individual student talents and interests are nurtured, shaping strong and unique exit profiles capable of excelling in an increasingly competitive market. 

All our department’s programmes are accredited by the internationally recognized Chartered Society of Designers, which is based in the UK. 

PROFILE

The candidate’s research area is that of design methods and processes for the development of products and services in a net zero carbon perspective. The application domains may include furniture, footwear, mobility, and nutrition, in a beyond-zero-waste, regenerative perspective.
The successful candidate will contribute to this research field by developing innovative concepts, tools and platforms to support best practices for sustainability and the transition to the circular economy, and to link them to industry applications and projects. This research area can contribute to develop innovative projects in various domains including mobility, wearables, health, well-being, and nutrition. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach one design studio and taught module a semester including student academic mentoring
• Research through classic academic realm via research projects, innovations, and publication or via industrial/product design or digital fabrication practice. Publications at a level appropriate for the discipline and designation. Applications to external research funds
• Service to support the administrative side of the department, school and the university or extracurricular activities for students, staff, discipline.
• Complete PG Certification unless already holding one teaching certification or similar
• Participation in departmental activities and administrative life.
• Positions of administrative responsibility at departmental/cluster/school level.
• Typical split of teaching: research: service is 40:40:20.
   

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCES 

The successful applicant to the position of Lecturer/Assistant Professor should possess:

• PhD in Industrial/Product Design/Sustainable Design/ with two years of teaching experience
• Master’s degree in industrial/Product Design with minimum of 2 years practice and education experience
• Fluent in English

The successful applicant to more senior ranks should also possess:

• PhD in Industrial/ Product Design/ Sustainable Design with a minimum of 7 years of academic experience and excellence in academic achievements
• Master’s degree in industrial/ Product Design/ Sustainable Design with minimum 10 years practices, including extensive senior executive experience equivalent of design Director and 2 years education experience
• Fluent in English 

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
• Kids’ education allowance
• Relocation allowance 

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 Lave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Marriage Lave
• Paternity Leave
• Parental leave 

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, by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.

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
• Teaching and or project portfolio (it is also acceptable as an additional attachment)

For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email Head of Department, Dr. Massimo Imparato at Massimo.Imparato@xjtlu.edu.cn

Informal enquiries may be addressed to HRBP for Design School, Ms. Xinyun Yang at Xinyun.Yang@xjtlu.edu.cn

Please quote the position and job ID in your enquiry.