Description

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

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 professionals and leaders, 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 seven faculties and three independent schools. PolyU has furthermore achieved commendable results in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 – it is ranked in the global top 30 for seven subjects, is first in Hong Kong for three subjects, and is in the global top 100 for 26 subjects.  For further details about the University, please visit PolyU’s website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/.

OFFICE OF FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

The Faculty of Humanities (FH) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is dedicated to creating synergies among language, communication, history, culture, and technology in education and research. 

The Faculty comprises four constituent academic units: Department of Chinese History and Culture, Department of English and Communication, Department of Language Science and Technology and the new Division of Artificial Intelligence and the Humanities which has been established with effect from 1 January 2026.

The Faculty is a leading tertiary education provider in Asia in language science, language technology, Chinese-English bilingual studies and translation, intercultural communication, and cultural and historical studies of China.  The Faculty also excels in areas such as speech therapy, language neuroscience, AI and computational studies, and health communication. We place emphasis on interdisciplinary research through collaborations around the world.  Please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/fh/ for more information about the Faculty’s academic programmes, research centres and expertise.

Dean of Faculty of Humanities (Ref. 251208018-IE)

The University is now inviting applications and nominations for the post of Dean of Faculty of Humanities. The successful candidate should be qualified for appointment as Chair Professor, normally on regular terms in one of the constituent academic units of the Faculty, and will hold the Deanship on a concurrent basis.  The Deanship appointment is normally for an aggregate period of six years in two three-year terms of office, but with possibility of further extension dependent on individual merits and achievements.

Job Functions

The successful candidate should be a visionary leader as well as a world-renowned scholar in a relevant field pursuing impactful research and innovation with a strong commitment to building a world-leading Faculty.  Reporting directly to the Deputy President and Provost, the appointee will be required to assume the following responsibilities:-

(a)        provide a forward-looking vision and effective leadership for the Faculty in response to the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI era, through proactive strategic planning, innovative strategies, strong teamwork and extensive engagement with stakeholders;

(b)        secure ample resources and manage resources efficiently to drive educational, research and knowledge transfer excellence;

(c)        ensure high-quality teaching as well as the holistic development of students and align FH’s programmes with societal needs;

(d)        foster pioneering and highly original research by all academic staff and maximize the impact of their research by supporting effective knowledge transfer;

(e)        promote genuine cross-disciplinary research programmes through appropriate mechanisms and incentives;

(f)         strengthen partnerships with both academic and non-academic organisations around the world for strategic collaborations;

(g)        stimulate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to support various activities; and

(h)        undertake other duties as assigned by the Deputy President and Provos or the Central Management Team of the University from time to time.

Qualifications

Applicants should have:

(a)        outstanding academic qualifications at doctoral level in closely related disciplines, evidence of eminent scholarship and substantial relevant experience in a senior academic position;

(b)        a proven track record of extensive experience and remarkable achievement as an academic leader in driving changes and achieving world-class educational and research excellence;

(c)        the ability to promote interdisciplinary collaborations within the University to contribute to the AI and digital transformation of the University’s educational and research undertaking;

(d)        the capacity to develop strong global networks for enhancing the internationalisation of the educational and research activities of the Faculty;

(e)        excellent and effective communication, interpersonal and resources management skills with strong commitment to ethics, transparency and fairness;

(f)         substantial knowledge of the higher education environment in the local, regional and/or global contexts; and

(g)        an excellent command of written and spoken English, with proficiency in Chinese being a definite 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

Please submit applications and nominations to Mr Kieran Pollentine, Head of Research (Hong Kong and China) of Perret Laver (Email: Kieran.Pollentine@perrettlaver.com).  Application shall contain a detailed curriculum vitae of the applicant with nomination of three referees from different institutions with the referees’ names, address and relationship with the applicants provided.  Consideration of applications and nominations will commence on 15 January 2026 until the position is filled.  All enquiries, applications and nominations will be treated in strict confidence. The University reserves the right not to fill the position or to make an appointment by invitation.  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, dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces diversity and demonstrates inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and experiences where all members of the University are treated with fairness, dignity and respect.  To learn more about the University’s “Statement on Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Inclusion”, please visit our website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/equal_opportunities_diversity_and_inclusion/.