School of Design, SUSTech
The School of Design at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, invites applications for multiple full-time tenure-track appointments at Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor level.
Applications are invited from candidates whose research and teaching contribute to one or more of the School’s degree areas, including:
- Tangible Design: materially grounded design across scales, including object and product design; structural optimization; manufacturing and supply-chain systems; service integration; wearable design combining materials research, fabrication and human factors; and spatial design.
- Intangible Design: systemic, experiential and non-material aspects of design, including interaction and service design; human-device and IoT ecosystems; AI and data-informed design applications; immersive media (AR/VR); storytelling; and experience design.
The School has a commitment to active learning and research-informed design. We are interested in candidates with a strong record of practice-led research, a commitment to collaborative enquiry, and experience of interdisciplinary work, particularly across design, computer science, mechanical engineering, and material science. Applicants should be able to connect studio-based practice with wider questions of production, systems, society, and technology.
The School is especially interested in applicants who can contribute to the translation of advances in science and technology into meaningful social and cultural outcomes through design teaching and research. At this time, we are particularly looking for expertise in these areas:
- History and theory of design, or another relevant area of design scholarship.
- Engineering and manufacturing of objects and components.
- Cognition and embodied intelligence.
- Advanced manufacturing and digital or robotic fabrication.
- Design management and branding.
Applicants should demonstrate clear strengths in at least one of these areas, together with the ability to work across disciplinary boundaries and contribute to collaborative design outcomes. Appointees may also be asked to teach related subjects across programs where appropriate.
The School’s teaching combines research-led learning with an interdisciplinary and industry-facing approach, drawing on SUSTech’s strengths and Shenzhen’s wider ecosystem in advanced manufacturing, new materials, and artificial intelligence. Teaching at SUSTech is bilingual, in English or Putonghua; applicants may teach entirely in English.
Roles and responsibilities
For full-time teaching and research appointments, the main responsibilities include:
- Contributing to the development of undergraduate curriculum and course content.
- Teaching one design studio and one seminar course each semester.
- Developing a research program and/or design project that engages with the potential in Shenzhen.
- Providing students with appropriate learning materials and subject expertise.
- Assessing student work and offering constructive feedback to support learning.
- Contributing to an inclusive and collaborative academic environment.
- Participating in the University’s residential college system through student mentoring.
Qualifications
Applicants should normally meet the following criteria:
- A terminal degree in a relevant field, preferably a doctorate, and/or a strong record of achievement in professional practice.
- Evidence of recognized research and design output, such as publications, exhibitions, commissions, or awards.
- A teaching and research profile appropriate to the level of appointment.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and cultures.
Terms & Applications
Applications should specify the position sought and address the roles and responsibilities described. Applicants should have an earned Ph.D. degree and demonstrated achievements in both research (including in practice) and teaching. SUSTech has identified entrepreneurship as one of the main directions of the university. Strong support will be provided to possible new initiatives and candidates with experience in entrepreneurship and the translation of research through design are invited to apply.
SUSTech is committed to increase the diversity of its faculty and has a range of family-friendly policies in place. The university offers competitive salaries and fringe benefits including medical insurance, retirement and housing subsidy, which are among the best in China. Salary is internationally competitive and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. More information can be found at http://talent.sustech.edu.cn/en
We provide some of the best start-up packages in the sector to our faculty members, including doctoral studentship, postdoctoral fellowships, and start-up funding.
Application Procedure
To apply, please provide a cover letter identifying your primary area of academic focus, a curriculum vitae, a selective portfolio of up to 10 A4 pages and research and teaching statements, and forward them to [email protected].
The City and The University
Established in 2012, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is a public institution funded by the municipal of Shenzhen, a special economic zone city in China. Shenzhen is a major city located in Southern China, situated immediately north to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
As one of China's major gateways to the world, Shenzhen is the country's fastest-growing city in the past two decades and has been designated a UNESCO City of Design. As a State-level innovative city, the city is the high-tech and manufacturing hub of southern China, home to the world's third-busiest container port, and the fourth-busiest airport on the Chinese mainland. The city is home to more than 6,000 design firms accounting for 100,000 employees and is an important center for the development of intellectual property rights. About 40,000 patents are granted to Shenzhen enterprises annually, half of which are concerned with innovative designs.
As a picturesque coastal city, Shenzhen is also a popular tourist destination and was named one of the top 10 travel destinations in the world by Lonely Planet 2019.
SUSTech is a pioneer in higher education reform in China. The mission of the University is to become a globally recognized research university which emphasizes academic excellence and promotes innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Set on five hundred acres of wooded landscape in the picturesque Nanshan (South Mountain) area, the campus offers an ideal environment for learning and research.
Position Description: Dean of the School of Design, SUSTech
Institution Overview
Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), located in Shenzhen, China, is a globally recognized institution known for its emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary education, and research excellence. Situated in Shenzhen, a hub for high-technology innovation and manufacturing in the Greater Bay Area, SUSTech provides a unique environment for fostering cutting-edge design research and education.
School of Design Overview
The School of Design at SUSTech has established itself as one of China's leading centers for education innovation in design within its first five years. It specializes in both tangible (object) and intangible design, leveraging Shenzhen's technological ecosystem to drive research-based design innovation. Key achievements include:
- Recruitment of 16 doctoral-qualified faculty committed to collaborative and action-based studio learning.
- Awarding over 36 patents and publishing extensively.
- Exhibiting design outcomes nationally and globally.
- Graduating two cohorts of undergraduate and graduate students by 2025, with alumni advancing to prestigious institutions or joining leading companies.
- Receiving professional and philanthropic support from an extensive industry network.
The school operates bilingually (Chinese and English) and actively collaborates with other disciplines on campus, including engineering, medicine, and business. It is poised to expand its student body from 130 to 300 in the near term and move into larger facilities by 2027.
Role Summary
The Dean will provide visionary leadership to the School of Design, shaping its strategic direction and fostering excellence in teaching, research, and industry collaboration. Reporting to a Vice President at SUSTech, the Dean will oversee academic programs, faculty development, student recruitment, and partnerships while ensuring alignment with the university’s broader goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Academic Leadership: Expand the breadth of design research fields; continuously develop innovative curricula; enhance interdisciplinary collaborations across campus; strengthen expertise in tangible design; mentor faculty; cultivate a culture of collaboration and collegiality through personal example.
- Strategic Planning: Foresee and realize strategic changes in the design discipline; contribute to municipal and professional activities that advance design; drive growth in student enrollment; gain approval from the MoE for graduate (both master’s and doctoral) degrees in design; establish new minors accessible to all SUSTech students; prepare for the school's transition to larger facilities.
- Research & Innovation: Promote research-driven approaches to design; engage with Shenzhen’s advanced industries including robotics, medical care, wearables, low-altitude economy, and lifestyle innovations.
- Administrative Oversight: Manage budgets; recruit top-tier faculty; foster a productive and innovative working environment; deliver an enriching workplace on a frugal budget.
- Global Engagement: Represent the school nationally and internationally through exhibitions, publications, and partnerships.
Candidate Qualifications
- A terminal research degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a relevant field of design.
- Proven track record in one or more of the design fields covered by the school.
- Documented success in academic leadership roles such as department chair or associate dean is essential; high level industry experience is desirable.
- Demonstrated success in leadership, research impact, teaching excellence, and industry collaboration, including collaborating across disciplines on campus. Experience in China is advantageous.
- A clearly articulated vision for design as a contributor to societal benefit and economic outcomes through research-based practice.
- Bilingual proficiency (Chinese and English) to operate effectively within the school’s framework and to further develop the interdisciplinary, collaborative and empathetic work environment.
Opportunities
The Dean will have access to:
- A vibrant interdisciplinary environment with established collaborations across engineering, medicine, business, and other fields.
- The chance to shape design education within one of China’s most innovative cities.
- A strong administrative team led by the Vice-Dean for Administration.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit their application materials to email ( [email protected]) including:
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of vision for the school
- Evidence of research contributions, including design works if relevant
- References
The School of Design
The School of Design at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), located in Shenzhen, China, is a young and dynamic institution. Established with its first cohort in 2021, the School of Design has now developed a comprehensive education and research system, offering undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs. With English as the official language of instruction, the school is positioned to attract a diverse range of international students and researchers for both academic and research collaborations. The school provides a unique design education grounded in science and technology, with a strong emphasis on industry engagement. Its active learning model focuses on project-based learning, enabling students to acquire hands-on design skills and a deep understanding of the field through real-world applications. By merging design, technology, and industry collaboration, the SUSTech School of Design seeks to redefine design education and forge stronger connections between design, industry, and society. For more information about the school, please visit https://designschool.sustech.edu.cn
