THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY ENGINEERING
Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (Ref. 240814002-IE)
With over 85 years of rich heritage, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has evolved alongside society and made pivotal contributions to the development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. The University pursues world-class excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer to nurture socially responsible leaders and professionals, as well as to drive impactful research and innovation. PolyU will strive to continually excel as an innovative world-class university that makes a positive impact on society, living up to the University’s motto: “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”.
Ranked among the top 100 universities globally by well-known ranking organisations such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education (THE) and U.S. News & World Report, PolyU offers a wide range of world-class educational and research programmes in six faculties and three independent schools. PolyU has furthermore achieved remarkable results in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 - it is ranked in the global top 20 for five subjects, is first in Hong Kong for four subjects, and is in the global top 100 for 21 subjects.
Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering
The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) contributes to PolyU’s world ranking of 14th for Architecture and Built Environment as well as Civil and Structural Engineering in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. BEEE is one of the constituent departments of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, and offers a full range of programmes leading to the awards of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy, Master of Engineering, Master of Science and Bachelor of Engineering. Currently there are 35 research staff and 121 research students (118 studying for PhD), over 600 full-time / part-time Master’s students, an undergraduate student body of over 250 full-time students. BEEE currently has over 40 full-time academic / teaching staff members engaging in a wide range of research activities organised in the following three themes:
Building Energy: Energy issues in buildings addressed in the context of both demand and supply to improve sustainability of the built environment.
Building Environment: Optimisation of buildings and built environments for thermal comfort, indoor air quality, visual / spatial and vibration / acoustic aspects to improve occupant health and productivity.
Building Safety and Resilience: Protection of building occupants from hazards such as fire and lightning to improve safety and resilience of communities, buildings and built environments.
Please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/beee/ for more information about the Department.
The University is now inviting applications and nominations for the post of Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. The successful candidate will be appointed Chair Professor / Professor normally on regular terms of appointment (equivalent to tenured professorship), commensurate with his/her qualifications and experience, and will hold a concurrent headship appointment. The concurrent headship appointment is normally for an aggregate period of six years in two three-year terms of office. Other suitable candidate(s) from the search, if deemed appropriate by the University, may be appointed Chair Professor / Professor if not Head of Department.
Job Functions
The position calls for a visionary academic leader with responsibilities of ensuring the smooth and successful operation and sustainable development of the Department. Reporting directly to the Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, the appointee will be required to:
(a) provide effective leadership in the development of long-term strategies and plans of the Department in alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan; and coach and empower subordinates so that they can accomplish planned objectives with world-class standards and in an effective and efficient manner;
(b) ensure high-quality teaching as well as holistic development of the students, and align the Department’s programmes with the needs of the community;
(c) facilitate the conduct of innovative and original research of high quality and impact, and promote and develop genuine interdisciplinary / departmental research with the optimal use of research funds;
(d) provide leadership in technology development, commercialisation and entrepreneurship initiatives to extend the impact of research outcomes of the University to the community;
(e) provide leadership in developing a strong network of partnership with leading tertiary institutions for opportunities and collaboration in education, research and knowledge transfer activities;
(f) enhance the local and international networks of partnerships and linkages with the community, particularly the professional, public and business sectors, so as to gain their support for the major strategic initiatives of the University;
(g) ensure effective internal communication that leads to a transparent decision-making process and promote the Department’s strengths and other services to all relevant stakeholders;
(h) ensure optimal deployment of human, financial and other resources in the Department;
(i) implement an effective mechanism to acquire donations and other forms of sponsorship to support the University’s pursuits and long-term development; and
(j) undertake other duties as assigned by the Dean of Faculty or the Central Management Team of the University from time to time.
Qualifications
Applicants should have:
(a) academic qualifications at doctoral level in a relevant discipline, evidence of eminent scholarship and substantial relevant experience in a senior academic position, and relevant professional qualifications where appropriate;
(b) attainment of an academic rank of full professor or above at an internationally recognised university;
(c) a distinguished international reputation in research and scholarship, and demonstrated international leadership in any one or more of the specialist areas of (i) Sustainable Building Design and Energy Efficiency; (ii) Renewable Energy Integration and Systems Optimization; (iii) Indoor Environmental Quality and Green Building Compliance; and (iv) Fire Safety Engineering Integration for Resilience;
(d) a strong record in attracting competitive or/and interdisciplinary research funding;
(e) a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching;
(f) a global perspective, proven qualities of academic leadership, and substantial administration / management experience, as well as demonstrated ability of building up a strong team of faculty members with different professional, research and cultural backgrounds;
(g) effective interpersonal communication and resources management skills, and excellent adaptability to changes and challenges;
(h) good knowledge of the higher educational environment in the local and global context; and
(i) a high standard of personal integrity.
Experience in fund-raising will be an additional advantage.
Conditions of Service
Terms of appointment and remuneration package are negotiable and highly competitive. For general information on terms and conditions for appointment of academic staff in the University, please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/docdrive/careers/doc/Prof.pdf.
Application and Nomination
The University invites applications and nominations for this appointment. Please submit an application through PolyU’s career website (https://jobs.polyu.edu.hk/deans_heads). Candidature may also be recommended by nominations via email to the Chairman of the Search Committee for recruitment of Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at hrscbeee@polyu.edu.hk. Consideration of applications and nominations will commence on 14 October 2024 until the position is filled. General information about the University is available at http://www.polyu.edu.hk or from the Human Resources Office [Tel: (852) 2766 5041]. The University’s Personal Information Collection Statement for recruitment can be found at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/careers/pics_for_recruitment.
PolyU is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, ethnicity, nationality, family status or physical or mental disabilities.
