DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences offers teaching programmes from entry-level BSc(Hons) to PhD for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. There are over 70 full-time faculty members in the disciplines of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Sciences and other health-related disciplines in the Department. The main translational research programmes in the Department are neuroscience and neurological rehabilitation, orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation, east-meets-west in Rehabilitation Sciences and geriatric rehabilitation. It also operates a Rehabilitation Clinic which is the hub for clinical teaching and consultancy services to the community. The Department puts equal emphases on basic, applied and clinical research relevant to the theory and technology development in rehabilitation. Besides, the Department has taken the lead in incorporating Chinese therapeutics into the academic curricula which is unique worldwide and advocated interdisciplinary research with other departments and faculties within the University. The vision and passion of the Department is “Touching lives, making an impact”. For more information about the Department, please visit the website at http://www.rs.polyu.edu.hk/.

The University is now inviting applications and nominations for the post of Head of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. The successful candidate will be appointed as 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 as Chair Professor/Professor if not as Head of Department.

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 Health and Social Sciences, 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 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 from time to time.

Qualifications

Applicants should have:

(a) academic qualifications at the doctoral level in a relevant Rehabilitation Science discipline, preferably in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy, evidence of eminent scholarship, substantial relevant experience in a senior academic position, and relevant professional qualification and registration 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 international leadership in one or more domains of the Department’s research strengths and professional bodies;

(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 the 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

(i) a high standard of personal integrity.

Experience in fund-raising will be an additional advantage.