The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China
Faculty of Science & Engineering
This is a unique opportunity to apply for an exciting, pioneering role at the newly formed Shanghai
Nottingham Advanced Academy (SNAA).
In November 2012, The University of Nottingham and East China University of Science and Engineering
(ECUST) launched the Shanghai Nottingham Advanced Academy. The Academy will, in the first
instance, deliver collaborative programmes, BSc, MEng and MSc with students undertaking study in the
UK and in China. An international Doctoral Training Centre has also been established drawing on key
strengths at both universities in the fields of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Aerospace.
These roles will be based initially at the University of Nottingham’s branch campus in Ningbo with the
candidates spending a proportion of time each week in Shanghai. These are teaching roles with
significant management and administrative responsibilities and we are looking for individuals who are
dynamic, pro-active and willing to be at the forefront of this innovative project and provide leadership
in SNAA’s early stages. While at Ningbo, the candidates will contribute to teaching and administrative
responsibilities in the Science and Engineering Faculty.
Join a truly unique British University in China
Welcome to the exciting community that is The University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Being the first
foreign higher education institution in the world to establish a campus inside the People’s Republic of
China, UNNC offers a UK style education – curriculum, pedagogy, systems, languages, resources – with
British degree programmes from the University of Nottingham, UK.
The award-winning Ningbo campus offers an opportunity to become fully engaged in excellent research
opportunities, collaborative teaching, multi-campus schools and a student body that has grown to over
5000 in just 8 years.
Discover Modern China in Ningbo
Location and Transportation
Ningbo is located in Zhejiang Province on the south shore of Hangzhou Bay, opposite Shanghai. Nearly
7000 years old, populated with over seven million people and covering 9,000 sq km, Ningbo is a
rapidly growing city. Ranked 6th in Forbes’ list of the top cities for business in China, it’s a thriving
blend of enterprise, culture, education, tradition and entertainment.
The city’s excellent transport links mean that Ningbo is easy to explore and an ideal base from which to
visit China and Asia. With a busy, modern airport (with international connections), an extensive city
bus system and a fast-modern rail network, it’s easy to travel locally, nationally and internationally.
Entertainment and Recreation
Ningbo offers the opportunity to feel at home among an array of international shopping outlets,
restaurants, clubs and bars, while hosting international sports and music events. It also provides the
chance to embrace culture and tradition. Temples and intricate streets house markets selling a variety
of antiques, textiles and delicious Ningbo cuisine. National and local festivities flaunt the delights of
Chinese culture while many of the museums and exhibitions represent the city’s historic past and
innovative future.
The city is a unique mix of modern skyscrapers and traditional architecture, which complement
stunning parkland and scenic spots. Dining out is about making decisions about whether to eat Italian,
Japanese, Korean, Thai, Brazilian or Chinese! The choice is endless with new restaurants and cafes
opening weekly.
Shopping
Luxury brands, international outlets and high-street chains complement authentic markets, making
Ningbo a shopper’s delight.
Ningbo’s diverse markets are perfect for bargain hunters whilst an increasing number of supermarkets
stock a range of international products. Whether you’re shopping for food, homeware or clothing you’ll
find a range of shops to accommodate your taste.
The expansion and growth of the city means that new shopping malls are opening frequently with
some, like the Wanda World Shopping Mall, which is close to campus, good for restaurants, a cinema,
supermarket plus many international clothing brands.
Culture
Ningbo offers a wide variety of museums, temples, art galleries and historical relics to explore. With a
history of over 7000 years you can expect to uncover an array of fascinating culture and history,
including the Tianyi Library Museum (built in 1561), Ningbo Museum ( it’s architect Wang Shu was
awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2012), Tiantong Temple and Forest (one of China’s largest
Buddhist temple complexes) and Hemudu Relic (the birth place of Ningbo).
If you want to visit the theatre then the Ningbo Grand Theatre is an option. A large modern performing
arts centre it features traditional and modern performing arts. The Ningbo Concert Hall is good for
enjoying world-class musical performances whilst the Yifu Theatre is more traditional offering Chinese
Opera
Explore a thriving, award-winning campus
Covering 140 acres, the campus is a mix of beautiful gardens, modern architecture, state of the art
facilities and a thriving, melting-pot of cultures. An inspirational place to live and work, the stunning,
landscaped campus builds on the sustainable pedigree of the University of Nottingham. With first-class
teaching facilities, enthusiastic students, excellent research activities and links, the campus provides a
strong base on which to innovate and be creative.
Campus Location
Situated in Ningbo’s Higher Education Park, located on the south side of the city, the campus
symbolises the unique partnership behind the University’s success. Blending an international education
with the drive to inspire students and produce world-leading research, the unique location of the
campus offers exceptional advantages for working in China.
With an attractive park-like setting, its signature Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies is the first
zero-carbon building in China and emphasises the University’s focus on environmental sustainability in
its research and practice.
Shopping
A vibrant UK-style high street is a popular gathering point in campus for staff and students. Facilities
include a bank, post office and dry-cleaners along with a hair salon, supermarket and a range of food
outlets.
Sports Facilities
You will find the campus lively and welcoming with plenty of opportunities to get involved in activities
that interest you. With a range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, it’s easy to try out sports
including basketball, badminton, volleyball, tennis, football and table-tennis.
Health Care
The on-campus University clinic has an English speaking Medical Adviser who deals with minor health
problems. For more serious health issues, there are hospitals in Ningbo or Shanghai.
Experience faculties with world-changing research
The development and growth of the teaching and research agendas are managed within three faculties:
Social Sciences, Arts and Education; and Science and Engineering. With 300+ academic staff from over
40 countries, the nine-research centres and institutes generate high-impact, internationally relevant
research.
Seeking to maximise the collaboration opportunities on areas of interest to China, research grants have
been successful in a number of significant areas at the Municipal, Provincial and National level along
with winning an important EU grant.
There’s growing research strength in:




Global finance and economic policy
Sustainable energy and low carbon technologies
Sustainable manufacturing
Interpretation, translation and linguistics
An exciting development for the University involves the International Doctoral Innovation Centre
(Energy and Digital Economy). Recruiting its first cohort of PhD students in October 2012, the £17
million, six year programme, integrates a number of co-dependent strands. Training up to 100 of the
brightest researchers to become future leaders, their focus will be to transform and implement
technologies which address global challenges and enhance the cooperation of research and innovation
between China and the UK.
In August 2009, The Graduate School was added to the university which provides Masters (by research)
and PhD opportunities. The Graduate School promotes research and training on a campus wide scale
while creating links with the UK campus, Malaysia campus and the external business and training
community in China.
Knowledge Transfer
An increase in joint research and business partnerships builds on the University’s key role in
recognising and developing opportunities for business engagement.
Supporting UK-China relations the University has been involved in a number of initiatives including the
Chevening Chinese Young Leaders Programme, The 2010 World Expo at Shanghai (which saw over 1
million visitors) and being a finalist of the 2012 British Business Awards. Organised by the British
Chambers of Business in China to recognise and promote excellence in innovation, enterprise and
endeavour in the British business community in China, the University was one of only five British
businesses to be nominated for the British Company of the Year award.
Centre of science and engineering excellence
The Faculty of Science and Engineering is one of the newest Faculties at the University, but it is
expected to become one of its biggest as The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China rolls out its
detailed, long-term plans. A 14,000m² building for science and engineering was recently opened. This
is currently being equipped to enable the teaching and research to be conducted to the same high
international level as the University of Nottingham in the UK.
The University expects to triple its number of science and engineering students to over 3,000 within
the next few years. The first crop of UNNC science and engineering students began to graduate in
2012 and Master of Science degrees will be offered in a range of subjects in the near future.
Our science and engineering students reap the benefits of studying in an environment where
conducting research that is relevant for modern business and industry is a priority. China’s ambitious
development goals include plans to become known for scientific excellence and innovation and
reducing the country’s enormous carbon footprint. The authorities have identified organisations like
UNNC to help it achieve its national objectives.
UNNC is committed to becoming a leading green university and is building on its research, teaching
and operational excellence to achieve this. We are playing a major role in developing technologies that
will have a significant impact in reducing carbon emissions.
The University draws on the research expertise and experience at the University of Nottingham to
deliver world-leading research and teaching in science and engineering here in Ningbo – a major
industrial and manufacturing node for China and for the world. Our academic team includes scholars
who have been responsible for important engineering patents.
Time Spent in Shanghai
This role will involve a significant proportion of time spent in Shanghai, initially 2 or 3 days during the
working week. Temporary accommodation will be provided at ECUST’s Fengxian campus in South
Shanghai, an easy journey from Ningbo by train, car or coach over the new bridge that spans
Hangzhou Bay.
Shanghai is one of the most dynamic and exciting cities in China, if not the world. The financial heart
of China, it is the country’s largest city and has so much to offer culturally and socially. It is a major
tourist destination and has an unlimited choice of activities on offer from shopping to art galleries and
museums.
The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Job Title:
Assistant Professor (Lecturers) in Engineering (2 Posts)
Contract Status:
This post is available from May 2014 and will initially be offered on a fixed-term
contract with the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China for a period of up to
three years.
Hours of Work:
Full-time
Salary:
£33,230 - £44,607 per annum depending on skills and experience (salary
progression beyond this scale is subject to performance). In addition, an
attractive package including accommodation allowance, travel allowance and
insurance will be provided for international appointments.
Location:
University of Nottingham Ningbo, China with 2-3 days per week in Shanghai
Responsible to:
The Dean of Faculty of Science & Engineering, UNNC
Job Outline:
The successful candidate will be expected to help establish the new Academy contributing to teaching
and curriculum development for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The role will involve
supervising and examining undergraduate and Masters students. The job also involves administrative
responsibilities in the first phase of the SNAA development.
Main duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching
 To prepare and deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
 To develop both formative and summative assessments. To participate in the assessments for
initial and higher degrees and diplomas of the University and to act as invigilator in such
examinations as required.
 To contribute to course and curriculum development and design, including course management,
where appropriate.
 To support and comply with the University’s teaching quality assurance standards and procedures.
 To undertake laboratory support for students and help them to develop good laboratory and safe
working practices.
Administration
 To work closely with the SNAA Academic lead at Nottingham UK and other academic and
administrative colleagues at The University of Nottingham, UNNC and ECUST regarding the set up
and ongoing management of SNAA.
 To perform administrative roles related to teaching and research student support, as determined by
the Dean of Science and Engineering and SNAA Academic lead, UK.
 To help with marketing and recruitment to attract students to SNAA
 To act as a personal tutor for both undergraduates and postgraduates.
 To take part in and contribute to staff development activities consistent with continuous
professional development.
 To ensure compliance with health and safety requirements in all aspects of work.
 Any other duties appropriate to the post.
Research
 This is initially a teaching focused role with no requirements to conduct research. However, the role
holder will be expected to provide managerial and tutorial support and supervision for PhD students
based at SNAA.
This job description may be subject to revision following discussion with the person appointed and
forms part of the contract of employment.
Person Specification:
Qualifications/
Education

Skills/Training

Experience





Personal Attributes



Essential
A degree and a PhD (or close
to being completed) in a
related discipline.
Excellent communication and
presentation skills in English.


Desirable
Membership of relevant
professional bodies.
Project management
training/qualifications
Significant experience of
teaching and tutorial work in
relevant subjects at
undergraduate and
postgraduate level in an
international English speaking
institution.
Experience of developing
curriculums and courses
Experience of supervising
students and providing tutorial
support
Experience of project
management
Proven excellent
administrative experience
Ability to work collaboratively
in a cross cultural
environment
Ability and motivation to
organize teaching & research
supervision independently
Ability to work to deadlines
and to prioritise tasks
Informal enquiries may be addressed to: Professor Mike George (Mike.George@nottingham.ac.uk).
Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
Please quote ref. UNNC322
Please be advised that your references will be contacted prior to interview.