Professor in School of AI and Advanced Computing

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – School of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing (AIAC)

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science

POSITION TITLE: Professor

CAMPUS: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University [XJTLU], Entrepreneur College (Taicang) Campus

CONTRACT TYPE: Full-time; Fixed-Term/3-year contract, renewable. The 3rd contract is open-ended.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The successful candidate will be a senior staff member in the School and will be responsible to the Dean for effectively managing and administrating the School’s activities. Through their leadership, the candidate will ensure that the School meets its ambitious targets by creating an intellectually stimulating and vibrant environment where its students and staff can flourish.

The broad dimensions of the post are to:

• Lead and grow the research and academic profile of the AIAC in collaboration with the School’s industrial partners.
• Provide leadership and vision for the future direction and development of AI research and teaching in the School.
• Shape the School’s research strategy, deliver high-quality research, and support entrepreneurial-focused teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Take on leadership, management, and external engagement activities to support the School.
• Be a strong advocate for the XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities and Duties

We are looking for future colleagues in all fields of computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, biocomputation, neural networks, generative artificial intelligence, or mathematical modelling who can:

• Conduct high-quality research, evidenced by publications in world-leading journals, and attract industry and government research funding by offering significant research impact.
• Deliver high-quality teaching to undergraduate and graduate students, as evidenced, for example, by peers, students and external examiners.
• Work collaboratively across the campus and the wider university to ensure an inclusive, enriching and enabling entrepreneurial learning experience.
• Work collaboratively with the Dean of School in designing and implementing the School’s Research, Enterprise, and Industrial Development strategies.
• Work with relevant colleagues and departments to identify opportunities for successfully exploiting research opportunities.
• Create and support a healthy industry-enhanced research environment, with agreed annual research outcomes and expectations, emphasising impact and industry-funded quality research and innovation. Identify and implement strategies to maximise grant capture and research income from external funding bodies and business/industry.
• Supervise PhD students and mentor Early Career Researchers in PhD supervision.
• Contribute to the development of the School by providing expertise and performing horizon scanning for the development of new opportunities at home and abroad.
• Generate and manage major research grant applications to support innovative industry-focused cross-disciplinary research and become an ambassador for the School to promote interdisciplinary research and teaching activities.
• Represent the Dean of School when necessary, within the College, University and externally as appropriate.
• Any other work-related tasks assigned by the Dean of School or Director of ERDI.

Essential Qualifications/Experience

Successful applicants to the position of Professor are expected to have:

• A PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Computer Science, or other relevant disciplines from a world-renowned university.
• Ideally, hold a PgCert HE or equivalent.
• Outstanding research leadership and management experience and the ability to motivate and inspire teams with good people skills.
• A national/international reputation with demonstrable impact in any research and innovation fields relevant to the School.
• Evidence of successful research partnerships with academic institutions and external organisations.
• Evidence of good, sustained, and successful leadership of research grants and consultancy contracts and conducting high-quality research, evidenced by clear impact of output and publications in leading journals.
• Demonstrable experience in cooperating with industrial partners to develop R&D projects.
• A rich experience in teaching, research, academic leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, strategic planning and financial management in a university and business environment.
• First-class networking skills and an ability to build and nurture external contacts and partnerships, working with businesses and other organisations in the area of innovation and business support to benefit the School.
• Excellent organisational, implementation and monitoring skills to deliver successful outcomes.
• A good track record of engagement with students and industry.
• A high level of communicative competence in English.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective interaction internally and externally.
• The ability to motivate and inspire a range of colleagues and stakeholders to understand and be involved in the work of AIAC and the wider university.
• Strong teamwork spirit.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working in a relevant industry would be an advantage.
• Evidence of administration and management experience in international universities or Sino-foreign joint universities would be an advantage.
• Professional memberships such as BCS, IET, ACM, IEE and HEA.
• Knowledge/experience in international higher education.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS:

1. Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as Housing allowance, Travel allowance, Education allowance, Relocation allowance
2. Medical insurance: commercial insurance plans customised for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy)
3. Paid holidays: Statutory Holidays (13 days), Full Paid Holidays (34 days per academic year including university closure days and annual leave), Family Matters Leave, Paid Sick Leave, Marriage Leave, Paternity/Maternity Leave, Parental Leave
4. Working visa and residence permit in China: XJTLU sponsors working visas and residence permits in China for the staff.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your applications online. Applications must be submitted in a single PDF file that includes 3 parts in the following order: A cover letter specifying your suitability for the role, A current CV, including country of citizenship, and highest degree level, Contact details for three references (at least a reference from current or most recent employer. Preferably current employer and last employer). For informal inquiries, please contact the Human Resources Office. Email: Mingyu.Yuan@xjtlu.edu.cn