Professor/Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Applied English Studies

Applications are invited for appointment as Professor/Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Applied English Studies, Faculty of Arts (Ref.: 536233). We seek an exceptional academic leader to provide visionary direction, drive strategic initiatives, and enhance the Centre's reputation both locally and internationally. The successful candidate will hold a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor.

The University

Founded in 1911, the University of Hong Kong has attained its pre-eminence as a research-led comprehensive university through upholding the highest international standards of excellence in its research pursuits, scholarship, teaching and learning, and service to the community. The University is consistently ranked amongst the world’s top universities: 11th in QS World University Rankings 2026, 1st in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026 and 33rd in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. In recent years, the University was ranked multiple times as the most international University in the world.

Home to ten disciplinary Faculties (Architecture, Arts, Business and Economics, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Sciences), the University is committed to fostering interdisciplinary exchange with an outlook for transformative breakthroughs, innovations and global impact. There are 42,330 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 97 countries, and more than 9,600 academic, academic-related and administrative staff. The University has embarked on a number of ambitious infrastructure and facilities projects for future expansion in the Northern Metropolis, Beijing, Shanghai and Europe.

The Centre for Applied English Studies (CAES)

The Centre for Applied English Studies (CAES), under the Faculty of Arts at The University of Hong Kong is a leading academic unit committed to excellence in English language education and communication. Through research-led pedagogy, CAES offers a wide range of credit-bearing courses, specialized workshops, and tailored consultation services designed to enhance students’ academic, professional, and digital literacies.

Guided by a vision to be a recognized leader in the scholarship and practice of academic and professional communication, CAES empowers the HKU community to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. This mission supports the University’s strategic goal of nurturing globally engaged graduates and fostering a culture of effective communication across disciplines.

A cornerstone of CAES’s scholarly contribution is its suite of rigorous postgraduate programmes, including Master of Arts degrees and a PhD program. These include the MA in Applied Linguistics and the MA in TESOL - the latter offered jointly with the Faculty of Education. These programmes equip postgraduate students with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical research skills in language education, applied English across disciplines and contexts, and discourse analysis.

The Role

The Director will provide visionary academic, strategic, and operational leadership for the Centre. Key duties include:

• Providing academic, strategic, and operational leadership for the Centre.
• Fostering a dynamic environment for teaching excellence, curriculum innovation, and impactful research.
• Strengthening and expanding collaborations with HKU faculties, international partners, and professional bodies.
• Overseeing the development, delivery, and continuous enhancement of the Centre’s academic programmes and services.
• Mentoring CAES staff and supporting their professional development.
• Securing external funding and enhancing the Centre's local and international visibility and reputation.

Qualifications and Qualities

• A PhD in Applied Linguistics, TESOL, Education, or a closely related field.
• A distinguished scholarly record and a demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence, commensurate with a senior tenured academic appointment.
• Proven leadership experience in a higher education setting, ideally within a language or communication centre, with an established global network.
• A strong understanding of contemporary trends in English language education, applied linguistics, and educational technology.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders.
• A demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and forward-thinking academic culture.

Compensation and Benefits

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, together with contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme at 15% of basic salary. Other benefits include annual leave and professional leave, medical benefits, and free access to on-campus gyms and libraries. Housing benefits will be provided as applicable.

Application

The University only accepts online applications for the above post. To ensure full consideration applicants should apply at the University’s careers site by clicking the 'Apply' button and upload: (1) a CV with publication list, (2) a cover letter, (3) an outline of your strategic vision as the Director of the Centre for Applied English Studies. Review of applications will begin as soon as possible and continue until July 31^st, 2026 or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.

The University is committed to diversity and inclusivity. The Faculty of Arts expressly encourages qualified persons of all genders to apply.