Description

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY 

DEPARTMENT OF LAND SURVEYING AND GEOSPATIAL SCIENCE

Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science (Ref. 260724019-IE)

Rooted in 90 years of heritage and intellectual achievement, 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 2026 – it is ranked in the global top 30 for five subjects, is first in Hong Kong for four subjects, and is in the global top 100 for 24 subjects.  For further details about the University, please visit PolyU’s website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/.

Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science

The Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science (LSGS) (retitled from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics in July 2026) is a world-leading academic organisation for education and research in geomatics and related fields. The Department is dedicated to the acquisition, modelling, analysis and management of spatially referenced data for a wide range of applications in land surveying, geo-information technology and smart cities.  The Department offers a range of academic programmes for both local and overseas students, including the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics / Urban Informatics and Smart Cities, Master of Science in Geomatics / Urban Informatics and Smart Cities, and Doctor/Master of Philosophy.

LSGS has a strong research programme covering areas such as geographical information science, spatial big data analytics, satellite positioning, ubiquitous positioning, photogrammetry and remote sensing, geodesy and geodynamics, environmental monitoring, geo-hazards studies, intelligent transport systems, smart cities, geographical social science, utility system management and near-surface geophysical survey. LSGS has a number of well-equipped research and teaching laboratories. Please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lsgs/ for more information about the Department.

The University is now inviting applications and nominations for the post of Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science.  The successful candidate will be appointed Chair Professor/Professor normally on regular terms of appointment (equivalent to tenured professorship), commensurate with his/her qualifications and experience, and will hold a concurrent headship appointment.  The concurrent headship appointment is normally for an aggregate period of six years in two three-year terms of office.  Other suitable candidate(s) from the search, if deemed appropriate by the University, may be appointed Chair Professor/Professor if not Head of Department.  

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China is an international city located strategically at the heart of Asia and is the gateway to Chinese Mainland, with excellent transport links to major international cities.  

Job Functions

The position calls for a visionary academic leader with responsibilities of ensuring the smooth and successful operation and sustainable development of the Department.  Reporting directly to the Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, the appointee will be required to:

(a)    provide effective leadership in the development of long-term strategies and plans of the Department in alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan; and coach and empower subordinates so that they can accomplish planned objectives with world-class standards and in an effective and efficient manner;

(b)    ensure high-quality teaching as well as holistic development of the students, and align the Department’s programmes with the needs of the community; 

(c)    facilitate the conduct of innovative and original research of high quality and impact, and promote and develop genuine interdisciplinary / departmental research with the optimal use of research funds; 

(d)    provide leadership in technology development, commercialisation and entrepreneurship initiatives to extend the impact of research outcomes of the University to the community;

(e)    provide leadership in developing a strong network of partnership with leading tertiary institutions for opportunities and collaboration in education, research and knowledge transfer activities;  

(f)    enhance the local and international networks of partnerships and linkages with the community, particularly the professional, public and business sectors, so as to gain their support for the major strategic initiatives of the University; 

(g)    ensure effective internal communication that leads to a transparent decision-making process and promote the Department’s strengths and other services to all relevant stakeholders;

(h)    ensure optimal deployment of human, financial and other resources in the Department;

(i)    implement an effective mechanism to acquire donations and other forms of sponsorship to support the University’s pursuits and long-term development; and

(j)    undertake other duties as assigned by the Dean of Faculty or the Central Management Team of the University as required.

Qualifications 

Applicants should have:

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

(b)    attainment of an academic rank of full professor or above at an internationally recognised university;

(c)    a distinguished international reputation in research and scholarship, and demonstrated leadership in any one or more of the specialist areas of (i) Space & Planetary Technology, (ii) Earth Observation & Climate Resilience, (iii) Geospatial Intelligence, (iv) Smart Cities, (v) Spatial Data Science, and (vi) Sensing and Imaging for Robotics, or other related fields;

(d)    a strong record in attracting competitive or/and interdisciplinary research funding;

(e)    a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching;

(f)    a global perspective, proven qualities of academic leadership, and substantial administration / management experience, as well as demonstrated ability of building up a strong team of faculty members with different professional, research and cultural backgrounds; 

(g)    effective interpersonal communication and resources management skills, and excellent adaptability to changes and challenges; 

(h)    good knowledge of the higher educational environment in the local and global context, and preferably strong industrial experience; and

(i)    a high standard of personal integrity.

Experience in fund-raising will be an additional 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

The University invites applications and nominations for this appointment.  Please submit an application through PolyU’s career website (https://jobs.polyu.edu.hk/deans_heads).  Candidature may also be recommended by nominations via email to the Chairman of the Search Committee for recruitment of Head of Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science at [email protected].  Consideration of applications and nominations will commence on 7 September 2026 until the position is filled.  General information about the University is available at https://www.polyu.edu.hk or from the Human Resources Office [Tel: (852) 2766 5041].  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/.