University of Nottingham Ningbo China to hire 30 more engineering academics

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China will appoint another 30 academics to join its talented engineering team as it expands its degree programmes and grows its research programmes.

The University’s Science and Engineering Faculty is advertising posts for professors, associate professors and lecturers across all its engineering disciplines. These include: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, architectural environment engineering, product design and manufacture, engineering surveying and architecture.

Closing dates for posts are from the end of January to early March, with the University looking to take on new staff in time for the next academic year which begins in September 2012. The positions are detailed on several websites, including http://www.academics-in-china.com/jobs.html , and will be posted in the jobs’ section on the University’s website.

Professor Gethin Wyn Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, said: “We are looking for ambitious, talented academics from reputable universities and research organisations from across the world to join our dynamic team here in China.

“We are expanding our range of degree programmes to cater for increased demand for professional engineers in Ningbo and China and general, and expect greater demand for our architecture degree courses. We are also rolling out exciting international research projects that have the full support and generous funding from the Chinese authorities and other organisations.”

Professor Roberts said the positions currently advertised are generally best-suited to ambitious, talented individuals who want to shape their own research agendas.

“The University is looking for academics who would appreciate the opportunity to be part of one of the UK’s top five faculties for engineering while delivering lecture programmes and conducting research from the vantage point of China — undoubtedly the world’s most exciting economy,” he said.

“All curriculum development and teaching programmes are led from the UK, so you will be able to draw on excellent resources to assist you in delivering course content at our unique, pioneering university in China,” noted Professor Roberts.

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China has been investing significant resources in its engineering facilities to ensure academics can deliver internationally excellent teaching and undertake world-changing research.

“The University is equipped with modern experimental and computational facilities in its new Science and Engineering Building. It has award-winning laboratories in which to conduct scientific investigations and make exciting discoveries,” said Professor Roberts.

Remuneration packages for international staff are attractive and in line with UK university levels.

International appointments are given the opportunity to live in comfortable accommodation on the secure, park-like campus, which has shops, restaurants, a bank, post office and 24-hour clinic conveniently located on its high street.

Professor Roberts said Ningbo is one of China’s most attractive, and less-expensive, cities in which to live. It is a useful base for staff who would like the opportunity to learn more about China and travel extensively around Asia.

“The lifestyle is comfortable here, with many sporting and outdoor opportunities as well as hundreds of restaurants and entertainment venues. You can be part of a close-knit and vibrant international university community, which has its roots on campus and networks across the city of Ningbo,” he said.

The University opened its doors in 2004 as the first Sino-foreign collaborative university with full approval of the authorities. All degree programmes are taught in English and all graduates are awarded British degrees from The University of Nottingham (UK).

The University’s successes, including its high employment rate among its graduates, have paved the way for the establishment of other Sino-foreign universities in China and have attracted many important visitors to the campus.

In a strong signal that the Chinese government fully supports its work as a pioneer in international education, China’s Premier Wen Jiabao — who leads the country alongside President Hu Jintao — paid a surprise visit to The University of Nottingham Ningbo China in April 2011.

The University has attracted significant research funding for international collaborative projects and recently announced that it would award more than 100 PhD scholarships, mostly in the fields of energy, the digital economy and other science and engineering disciplines.

The scholarships are part of a bold multi-million pound science and technology project based at the university’s new International Doctoral Innovation Centre in Ningbo.

The University also has a new innovation team that will work with at least 50 companies on inventing and improving low-carbon technologies and developing new sustainable, environmentally friendly business models for Ningbo’s manufacturing sector.