Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Job Posting Details

The University invites applications and nominations for the position of Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The University

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education's Young University Rankings 2026, and 20th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education's Impact Rankings 2026. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world's top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with "Civil and Structural Engineering" coming in 27th worldwide. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world's top 30 most sought-after employees. As of January 2026, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 10 Unicorns and 21 exits (IPO or M&A).

The Department

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CIVL) at HKUST invites applications from outstanding candidates with the vision, energy, and leadership potential to help shape the next stage of the Department's development.

CIVL comprises more than 35 faculty members and serves approximately 480 undergraduate students and 300 postgraduate research students. The Department offers BEng, MSc, MPhil, and PhD programs. The Department conducts comprehensive teaching and research across fundamental and applied areas of civil and environmental engineering.

Building on HKUST's strengths in science, engineering, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaborations, CIVL seeks to tackle pressing global and regional challenges in building smart, resilient, sustainable, healthy and inclusive communities. Its expertise spans infrastructure resilience, climate adaptation, sustainable urban systems, environmental protection, water resources, geotechnical and structural engineering, transportation, autonomous construction technology, and the digital transformation of built environment.

The Department is supported by a wide range of research platforms, advanced laboratories, and experimental, computational, and field research capabilities, featuring a State Key Laboratory and a Chinese National Engineering Research Center, and having launched the Hong Kong's first satellite. CIVL has established strengths in sensing, monitoring, data analytics, and digital and space technologies for civil and environmental engineering applications. The Department also benefits from partnerships with industry, and has a strong record of competitive funding, professional engagement, and societal impact.

We seek candidates who can bring a bold, forward-looking, and inclusive academic vision; strengthen existing areas of excellence; open new interdisciplinary directions; and contribute to CIVL's continued development in research, education, knowledge transfer, and global engagement. The successful candidate is expected to help enhance the Department's academic reputation, attract and mentor outstanding students and faculty, foster collaboration across disciplines, and advance CIVL's standing as a world-leading, innovative department in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.

The Role

Reporting to the Dean of Engineering, the Head of CIVL is expected to provide leadership for the Department and manage its diverse academic and administrative functions.

Terms & Applications / Nominations

Concurrent with a tenured professorial appointment, the Head appointment will typically be for an initial 3-year term and may be renewable for a second term. Competitive remuneration and generous fringe benefits, including housing where appropriate, will be provided.

Applications/nominations for the position are invited from well-qualified and accomplished scholars. In addition to extensive teaching and research experience, the successful candidate must have demonstrated capability to provide strong leadership in academic administration at tertiary level. Proven capacity to interact effectively with government, industry and commercial sectors is an advantage.

Applications/nominations, together with full curriculum vitae and names and email addresses of three referees, should be sent through the HKUST recruitment system (https://apply.interfolio.com/194207). Review of candidates will start immediately and the search will continue until the position is filled.

For more information about the University, the School of Engineering and the CIVL Department, please visit https://hkust.edu.hk/, https://seng.hkust.edu.hk/, and https://ce.hkust.edu.hk respectively.

(Information provided by applicants will be used for recruitment and other employment-related purposes. Applicants should read the Personal Information Collection Statement before submission of application.)

HKUST is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to our core values of inclusiveness, diversity, and respect.