Head of Division of Humanities (EXPIRED)

The Division of Humanities of the School of Humanities and Social Science (SHSS) invites applications and nominations for the position of Head of the Division of Humanities.

The University 

Founded in 1991, HKUST is a publicly-funded international university dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate education and research in science, engineering, business & management, and humanities & social science.  We seek to nurture students with entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking, and global outlook and strive to work together to make a strong societal impact.

The University is one of the most international universities in Asia, comprising 4 Schools and an Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies and multiple research institutes/central research facilities with around 700 faculty members, and an enrollment of about 10,000 undergraduate and 7,100 postgraduate students.  English is the language used in teaching, research and administration. 

Within a short history of 32 years, HKUST has already established a strong presence in global higher education and received a number of international recognitions.  Among others, it was ranked No.2 in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings in 2023; the 29th worldwide and No.3 in Greater China in the Global Employability University Ranking in 2023; and the 7th in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings in 2023. 

At the heart of the University’s pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and societal impact lies uncompromising efforts to recruit and retain the best talents globally and locally.  We seek to diversify HKUST’s critical mass of world-class academics, researchers, staff and students in order to drive cutting-edge education and research initiatives and deliver academic and administrative excellence.  The University promotes a diverse learning environment that enhances student development of their creativity, innovative thinking and global outlook.  Proactive faculty recruitment is undertaken from around the world in all disciplines of the University.  HKUST upholds the values of diversity and an inclusive and collaborative community.

The Division

The Division has a multidisciplinary faculty of 30+ members, specializing in history, literature, film and media studies, linguistics, philosophy, anthropology and creative arts.  Directly accountable to the Dean of SHSS, the Head is the chief executive of the Division who is responsible for curricular matters, research direction, faculty recruitment as well as resource and personnel management.  The Division’s graduate degree programs include an MA in Chinese Culture and MPhil/PhD in Humanities. The Division also participates in the BSc program in Global China Studiesand provides humanities education as a common core to all undergraduates at HKUST.

The Candidate

Applicants should be senior scholars in any field and specialty in humanities at the rank of Professor or above at the time of appointment, with demonstrated academic leadership and relevant administrative experience.

Terms and Applications / Nominations 

Appointment to the position of Division Head will be on a three-year fixed term basis, renewable by mutual agreement.  The appointee will be considered concurrently for substantiated employment at the Professor or Chair Professor rank.  Competitive remuneration and generous fringe benefits, including housing where appropriate, will be provided.

The executive search firm Perrett Laver is working with HKUST in this recruitment exercise.  To apply, or to download further information about the role, please visit

http://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/3978/PL/head_of_division_of_humanities/.  Initial inquiries may be directed to Mr Kenneth Chan by email ([email protected]).

Applications should consist of a cover letter, an up-to-date CV, a dossier of representative publications in PDF format and teaching evaluation records, and the names and email addresses of three referees.  The Search Committee will begin to review applications in January 2024 and the review will continue until the position is filled.  All applications and nominations will be treated in strict confidence.

Additional information about the University and the Division of Humanities is available on the websites https://hkust.edu.hk and https://huma.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.