Associate Dean for Research

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – HeXie Management Research Centre

Job Description 

ABOUT Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

Founded in 2006, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a pioneering international joint venture university established through the partnership of Xi’an Jiaotong University, one of China’s top ten universities, and the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. Combining the academic strengths and research expertise of both parent institutions, XJLTU deliver a distinctive international education experience that blends Eastern and Western educational transitions. 

XJTLU currently serves a dynamic community of over 25,000 students across its campuses in Suzhou, China, and Liverpool, UK, with plans to expand to approximately 30,000 students by 2026. The University employs around 2,000 staff members, including approximately 1,200 academic staff, representing a balanced mix of Chinese and international professionals. With a portfolio of more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a diverse range of disciplines, XJTLU is committed to academic excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  

Over the years, XJTLU has evolved through three key phases of development, each representing a significant milestone in its journey to redefine higher education. The XJTLU 1.0 phase focused on establishing a high-quality international education platform, blending Eastern and Western educational practices to create a globally recognized learning environment. In the XJTLU 2.0 phase, the University expanded its scope by enhancing research capabilities, encouraging interdisciplinary innovation, and addressing pressing global challenges through academic inquiry. Now in the XJTLU 3.0 phase, the University is redefining the future of higher education through its innovative Syntegrative Education (SE) model. This model integrates academic learning with industry engagement, entrepreneurial practice, and personalized education pathways, emphasizing the cultivation of future-ready talent equipped to navigate the complexities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. By combining academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and practical application, XJTLU continues to position itself as a leader in global higher education innovation, bridging cultures and driving progress in an interconnected world.

ABOUT College of Industry-Entrepreneurs (CIE)

The College of Industry-Entrepreneurs (CIE) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is an interdisciplinary platform and a flagship model of XJTLU’s 3.0 educational philosophy, which redefines the future of higher education. As a core implementation of Syntegrative Education (SE) framework, CIE bridges academia, industry, and society to cultivate future-ready talent and drive innovation. Funded by community and industry contributions, it operates with a hybrid governance model combining academic rigor and business efficiency. 

Aligns with XJTLU 3.0’s emphasis on integrating education, industry, and societal needs, CIE focuses on three core pillars: the development of the X-Eco Mall, the empowerment of Industry-Entrepreneurs, and the promotion of strategic transformation and technological advancement. Through deep collaboration with industry partners, CIE co-designs solutions and talent development programs that address real-world challenges. The college emphasizes cross-disciplinary innovation, practice-oriented learning, and personalized education pathways. 

CIE offers a diverse range of academic programs tailored to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global landscape. These include three master’s pathways: Enterprise Governance, Innovation and Succession; Strategic Human Resources Management; and Smart Ageing and Health Management. For those pursuing advanced research, CIE provides a PhD in Business, with concentrations in areas such as Industrial Innovation Ecosystems, Human-AI Collaboration and Ecosystem Management, Healthcare Ecosystems, and Strategic Human Resource Management and Talent Systems. The college also offers a PhD in Education, focusing on topics such as Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education, HeXie Education, and Educational Innovation Ecosystems. Currently, CIE is home to over 10 PhD students and a team of about 30 faculty members, all of whom are actively engaged in cutting-edge research, teaching, and industry collaboration. As a key embodiment of XJTLU’s 3.0 vision, CIE is committed to serving as a catalyst for progress, empowering individuals and organizations to thrive in XJTLU X-Eco Mall.

ABOUT HeXie Management Research Centre (HeXie Academy)

The HeXie Academy is a research and innovation platform focused on the application of HeXie Management Theory, recognized as one of China’s Top Ten Original Theories in Philosophy and Social Sciences in 2025. With a vision of drive high-quality social and industrial development, the HeXie Academy supports original research, interdisciplinary training, and education innovation. Its key research areas include digital and intelligent ecosystems, future social governance, and sustainable development, addressing pressing topics such as aging society and ESG strategy. As a strategic enhancement to undergraduate education, the HeXie Academy also contributes to university-wide teaching by participating in the delivery of the Entrepreneurial Education Module (EEM) for Year2 students, enriching students’ learning with interdisciplinary and real-world perspectives. By leveraging the principles of HeXie Management, the HeXie Academy facilitates collaboration across disciplines and sectors, offering innovative solutions and thought leadership that contribute to the strategic transformation of industries and the sustainable progress of society.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CIE and HeXie Academy welcomes applications for the position of Associate Dean for Research (ADR). The Associate Dean serves as a member of CIE and HeXie Syntegrative Management Team (CH-SMT). Reporting directly to the Executive Dean and Director, the Associate Dean provides strategic leadership for research development, research quality, research impact, postgraduate research education, and external research engagement across the College and Academy. The successful candidate will play a leading role in strengthening the research culture, enhancing research quality and impact, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting the strategic development of CIE and HeXie Academy as internationally recognised centres of excellence in innovation, ecosystem research, and industry-engaged scholarship.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Lead the development, implementation, and review of the College and Academy’s research strategy, and foster a strong research culture that promotes academic excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, high-quality research outputs, and impactful scholarship aligned with the strategic priorities of CIE and HeXie Academy.
• Serve as a conduit between the Academy Research Committee, and the University Research Committee, for the timely communication and implementation of research-related policies and procedures.
• Support faculty members in securing competitive external funding and developing high-impact research projects through mentoring, proposal development, and research capability-building initiatives.
• Promote interdisciplinary research initiatives and strengthen collaborative research partnerships with industry, academic institutions, and other external stakeholders at national and international levels.
• Support the recruitment, supervision, development, and progression of doctoral researchers and postgraduate research students, and contribute to the continuous enhancement of postgraduate research education.
• Advance research dissemination, knowledge exchange, and societal impact through academic conferences, industry forums, executive education, policy engagement, applied research projects, and the X-Eco Mall.
• Support the Executive Dean and Director in evaluating research performance and academic development through the Professional Development Review (PDR) process. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• A Ph.D. degree in a relevant subject from a world-renowned university.
• A senior academic appointment at the level of Associate Professor or above, with an internationally recognised record of high-quality research publications, successful research leadership, and achievement in securing competitive research funding.
• Significant leadership and management experience in a higher education research environment, including the development and implementation of research strategies and interdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Experience in postgraduate research education, with a strong understanding of research development, research quality, research impact, and research governance.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively in an international and intercultural environment. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated success in securing research funding from university and external funding sources (e.g., NSFC, NSSFC, provincial, municipal, or industry-funded projects).
• Experience working in an international or transnational higher education environment, with a track record of developing collaborative research initiatives between domestic and international partners.
• Active engagement with professional associations, industry networks, government advisory bodies, or policy development initiatives.
• Experience of working within quality assurance frameworks for research-led teaching that are institutional, national and international.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 2 parts in the order of:

• A cover letter outlining their suitability for the position.
• A current CV, including the following details: country of citizenship, highest degree level, and contact information for three references.

For specific enquiries related to this position, please contact Professor Xiaobo Xu, Executive Dean of CIE and Director of HeXie Academy, at Xiaobo.Xu@xjtlu.edu.cn , or the HRBP at Zhi.Yang@xjtlu.edu.cn . Kindly quote the position title and job ID in your enquiry.