Wenzhou-Kean University
Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), located in Wenzhou, China, one of three Sino-American universities along with NYU Shanghai and Duke Kunshan University, is approved by the Ministry of Education of China. Launched in 2012, WKU offers a unique model of higher education in partnership with Kean University, a comprehensive, public university in the state of New Jersey that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
WKU sits on approximately 500 beautiful acres and currently enrolls about 5,200 undergraduate and graduate students, and it is now in the midst of a rapid growth that will bring enrollment to 7,000 students within the next three years. All instruction is in English, and all curriculum is provided by Kean University.
In addition to its current 18 undergraduate programs, WKU has been approved by the Ministry of Education for offering 8 Master’s and 3 doctorate programs. WKU highly values research-powered teaching and learning, and the average number of faculty publications and the Field-weighted Citation Impact are among the best of leading Chinese academic institutions.
Wenzhou is one of the most vibrant and economically advanced developed cities on China’s East Coast, located one hour by plane and three hours by high-speed train from Shanghai.
About the Job
Due to rapid expansion, the Department of Educational Leadership is hiring TWO highly qualified and experienced faculty members to teach Master's and Doctorate programs in educational leadership. Besides teaching and research, faculty are expected to advise students to develop dissertation topics and assist in all aspects of the writing process to produce high-quality dissertations. In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute to the growth of the programs, including, but not limited to, curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment/advisement, office hours, and internship opportunities.
This position will be offered as a tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor, or at the Professor level for extraordinary candidates. All positions will have an initial 3-year contract that is renewable.
The University will provide start-up grants (up to 80,000 RMB) to support candidates in starting their research projects. After joining WKU, faculty have the opportunity to apply for a variety of internal research funding and external funding opportunities at the municipal, provincial, and national levels.
Teaching assignments and related responsibilities may include day, evening, and weekend, depending on institutional needs. Interest or experience in using advanced instructional technologies to improve the teaching/learning process is highly desirable. All faculty may be required to teach General Education courses as needed. Opportunities are also available to teach interdisciplinary support courses.
Tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor/Professor (Two Higher Education tracks, Two K-12 education tracks)
A tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor/Professor is a full-time, 10-month employee who teaches 24 credits per academic year. A 6-credit course release per academic year will be provided during the first three years to support grant proposal development and other significant research initiatives. After the initial three years of employment, research-related course releases will be available on a competitive basis. Faculty members will also receive credit for supervising dissertation research. A start-up grant (up to 80,000 RMB) will be provided to launch student-engaging research programs. The candidate will be expected to participate in the full range of faculty responsibilities, including high-quality teaching, research, advising, student learning support, and service to the university and/or professional community. The tenure-track appointment requires high-quality publications in rigorously peer-reviewed and impactful journals from the field.
Faculty positions at WKU offer
Annual salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience with the range from $70,000-$77,000 for Assistant Professors; $75,000-$85,000 for Associate Professors. A well-rounded healthcare coverage, housing options and subsidy up to $3,000, home traveling up to $6,000 (2 international round-trip airfares), a reimbursement to cover relocation expenses up to $1,000, shuttle bus to campus for work. WKU tuition waiver up to 50% for spouse/dependent children of faculty for undergraduate programs. A collegial environment. Startup grant of up to 80,000 RMB. Three-year initial contract. Six-credit course release per academic year for the first three years. The opportunity to teach high-quality students. About 50% of graduates have been admitted to graduate schools at the World’s Top 50 Universities, and about 60% of graduates at the World’s Top 100 Universities.
Background Screening
Wenzhou-Kean University conducts background screenings on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background Screenings.
Qualifications
- The applicant will have an earned doctorate in Educational Leadership/Administration with an emphasis in one or more of the following areas: K-12 education, higher education, educational legal issues, educational finance, or educational law.
- Early career researchers with doctorate degrees obtained from reputable universities (Carnegie R1 institutions or comparable research institutions with strong academic reputations in the fields) are encouraged to apply.
- Two or more years of experience in a similar position is preferred.
- The successful candidate must demonstrate excellence in research and have a strong publication record. A coherent research program and corresponding peer-reviewed publications in impactful journals (SSCI or Scimago Q1) are expected.
- Ability to effectively teach introductory and advanced graduate courses.
- Strong commitment to mentoring students.
- High English proficiency is required.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students.
Application Instructions
Applicants are REQUIRED to apply online. To receive full consideration by the search committee, candidates need to submit the following documents via Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/191645). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled. Please submit through Interfolio a cover letter, resume, statement of teaching philosophy, research statement describing research interest, past accomplishments in research and research plan, unofficial transcripts and contact information of three professional references, including references/names of potential referees from a current or recent direct supervisor. Please note that your immediate supervisor may be contacted for the purpose of conducting a reference check. Official transcripts for all degrees and three current letters of recommendation are required before appointment.