Associate Vice President for Research and Impact (AVP-R&I)

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

Report to: Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA)

Appointment period: 3-year appointment, renewable

About Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

In 2006, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool, UK, and Xi’an Jiaotong University, China – a C9 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 2,400 staff, among which more than 1,200 academic staff from more than 60 countries. 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 has opened a new Entrepreneurial College (XEC) in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College is located. The XEC site is 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 University of Liverpool and 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 Position of Associate Vice President for Research and Impact

In 2021, with the University’s continued expansion and success, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University established two academic leadership roles: Associate Vice-President for Education (AVP-E) and Associate Vice-President for Research and Impact (AVP-R&I). The essential rationale for creating these roles is to strengthen strategic leadership in the broad area of academic affairs by increasing the level of strategic responsibility for each. 

The AVP-R&I works closely with the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), School Deans, Associate Deans for Research, as well as Directors of ERDI, in the formulation and implementation of academic strategy across the University - and externally with partners in industry and society – on all matters relating to Research & Impact. This remit includes, inter alia, research productivity, research culture(s) and research environment(s). In particular, the AVP-R&I will lead on the strategic development of areas such as research excellence, research KPIs, research income generation, research performance and output, research impact in society and communities. The AVP-R&I will also help drive initiatives in research-led teaching in liaison with the AVP-E. 

The University now seeks to appoint a senior academic leader to take on the leadership role of Associate Vice President for Research and Impact. It is envisaged that the person in the post would normally already be a full Professor with a minimum of two years’ relevant experience in strategic leadership and an appropriate background in developing and implementing institutional strategies, with international experience being highly preferred. This is a demanding role at a moment of dynamic expansion for XJTLU. 

This AVP-R&I position is open to both internal and external candidates. The post holder should also fulfil the duty as a full contracted academic staff and retain a teaching role and maintain his/her own research activity. 

The post holder will be a member of the SMT, and will also chair relevant research committees as appropriate. The role descriptions are outlined below. 

Accountabilities and Responsibilities 

1. Serving as a member of the extended Senior Management Team, Academic Steering Committee, and other senior leadership committees; 
2. Pro-active engagement with the strategic development of postgraduate research and impact in collaboration with the Director of the Graduate School, Directors of PG Research, Directors of ERDI, and other stakeholders as appropriate; 
3. In full collaboration with the VPAA, leading on the University’s research and impact strategies and strategic development with an emphasis on research productivity, KPIs, objectives and targets; 
4. Chairing the University Research Committee, other committees as necessary, and ensuring effective communication and implementation of institutional research and impact strategies across the University including XJTLU’s multiple sites; 
5. Overseeing the strategic development of research and impact in all academic units with an urgent emphasis on those academic units that are new such as the Academies. This will include overseeing the ongoing development of localised research strategies as well as groups, institutes and centres; 
6. Providing strategic leadership and direction in relation to the development of key international collaborative partnerships and industry-linked research and impact initiatives; 
7. Providing strategic advice and direction about global trends and opportunities in research and impact where such is needed for units including but not limited to the University Research Centres, Research Institutes, the International Technology Transfer Centre, International Innovation Hub and Key Labs. 
8. Leading on and developing, in conjunction with VPAA, Associate Dean of Research, Research Management Office, and other key stakeholders, strategies designed to increase external grant capture through negotiation and liaison with local, regional and international research funding bodies; 
9. Foster interdisciplinary and innovative research and optimise both collaboration with governments, industries and external partners in the city of Suzhou and Yangtze Delta Region, and the impact of the University’s funding for research; 
10. Advising academic units and related administrative support teams regarding matters requiring strategic and/or academic judgement plus decision-making for all aspects of research, research impact development, research training, research ethics and governance, and research grants; 
11. Other duties assigned by VPAA and Senior Management Team. 

How to Apply

Please send your CV plus a covering statement of up to 1,500 words, explaining your experience and how you meet the expectations of the position to either way of the methods below: 

1. Official Website by clicking the 'Apply' button
2. Send all the documents to Talent@xjtlu.edu.cn  

Interviews will be held shortly after this. Informal enquiries about the role can be made to Talent@xjtlu.edu.cn