XJTLU

Faculty Position in Department of International Studies

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – International Studies

School: Humanities and Social Sciences

Academic Discipline: International Studies, International Relations

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

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 THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (HSS)  

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences was established in September 2020 to research and educate across different disciplines in humanities and social sciences. The school, supported by over 80 staff from more than 15 countries, consists of six academic departments: China Studies, International Studies, Media and Communication, Applied Linguistics, Literature, and Translation and Interpreting.  

The school offers a wide range of degree programmes including undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, as well as international visiting and exchange student programmes. The school hosts the Year in China programme of the University of Liverpool.  

The Department of International Studies at XJTLU was established in 2018. Sitting in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, it aims to be a leading provider of international studies education and research. Our growing department is staffed by research active scholars from all over the world, including South Korea, Australia, Cameroon, Canada, China, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The department offers a BA and an MA in International Relations, and an MA in International Business and Global Affairs, and welcomes students from all over the world. Please read further about our research, teaching, and programmes by exploring the department’s website. 

The Department of International Studies is seeking to hire several new colleagues with a research agenda in International Studies and International Relations, broadly defined, and with the ability to teach into our programmes:

We seek candidates that are available at the start of semester 2, AY23/24 (December 2023), at the latest. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The department currently welcomes applications from prospective colleagues at any level of experience:

Assistant Professor: The position of assistant professor is open to candidates with two years or more of full-time academic work experience after receiving their PhD degree. Candidates should be research-active, with initial success in building an internationally recognized research profile as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or grant income. Candidates should further be able to demonstrate experience in high-quality, effective teaching, and should ideally have experience in managing departmental affairs.

Associate Professor: The position of associate professor is open to experienced candidates that have developed an internationally recognized research profile, as evidenced, for example, by publication in international peer reviewed journals, research grant income, and supervision of doctoral students to completion. Candidates should also have a well-developed teaching profile, with evidence of external recognition and teaching innovation. Candidates should evidence leadership in departmental and university contexts.

Senior Associate Professor/Full Professor: The position of senior associate professor is open to candidates with an internationally established and recognized research profile, demonstrating sustained output in leading international peer-reviewed journals, repeated research grant income, and regular supervision of doctoral students. Candidates should be experienced university teachers with a well-developed teaching portfolio, with evidence of external recognition and teaching innovation. Candidates should demonstrate extensive experience in leading the development of research and teaching strategy in departmental and university contexts. The successful candidate will be active in teaching, research, and academic administration. You will be expected to coordinate and deliver modules across our degree programmes; to supervise undergraduate Final Year Projects and MA and PhD dissertations; to contribute to curriculum development; to undertake research and publish in your area of specialisation on both individual and group projects; and to participate in the administration and development of the Department of International Studies, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, or the University. Candidates are usually expected to teach two modules per academic year, and some or all modules may be co-taught with colleagues.

While not exclusively seeking applicants in the following areas, we may give preference to those who demonstrate interest and expertise in teaching in the following areas:

  • International Relations and International Political Economy
  • Quantitative and/or Qualitative Research Methods

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCES

We seek candidates with excellent oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills and with a commitment to good departmental citizenship and teamwork. The successful candidate will have:

  • Experience in international higher education
  • Cross-cultural sensitivity
  • Familiarity with China and Chinese higher education/Ability to communicate in Chinese.
  • Familiarity with the British system of higher education
  • Experience in PhD supervision
  • Capacity to lead on the use of social media
  • Professional experience in governmental or non-governmental organizations
  • Curriculum design and programme development experience
  • Experience in Engagement with professional community

The successful candidate will co-teach a research method module at the Master’s level providing an overview of qualitative research methods and research design. Preferences will be given to applications with demonstrated experience with qualitative research methods and theories in one or more of the following areas: Interviewing; focus groups; participant observation; case studies; qualitative data analysis; content analysis; grounded theory; ethnography; surveys; and comparative analysis. Utilization of NVivo, Dedoose, or MAXQDA, and other qualitative data analytical software is strongly preferred. 

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
  • Relocation allowance
  • Kids’ education 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 Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Marriage Leave
  • 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.

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 the Head of the Department Dr. Alessandra Cappelletti: alessandra.Cap@xjtlu.edu.cn

For general questions, please contact HR at Wenyu.Pu@xjtlu.edu.cn.