I. Introduction to Hunan University and School of Design
Hunan University is a national key comprehensive university directly under the Ministry of Education, listed among the “211 Project”, “985 Project”, and “Double First-Class” initiatives. It is located in Changsha, which has been recognized as “China’s Happiest City” for many consecutive years. The university boasts a profound academic heritage, with its predecessor, Yuelu Academy, renowned as the “Millennium Academy”, forming a unique educational legacy from ancient academy to modern university. Nestled between Yuelu Mountain and the Xiang River, the campus blends natural beauty with cultural heritage, providing excellent conditions and comprehensive facilities for teaching, research, and daily life.
The School of Design at Hunan University combines heritage with vitality, and excels in both tangible strength and soft environment. Established in 1977, it is one of the earliest design schools in China. It granted the nation’s first master’s degree in Industrial Modeling Art (now Design) in 1993, a doctoral degree in Design Art (now Design) in 2005, was named one of the world’s 60 best design schools by BusinessWeek in 2006, had its Industrial Design program recognized as a National Characteristic Specialty in 2008, obtained the first-tier discipline doctoral degree in Design in 2011, established a postdoctoral research station in Design in 2014, and was granted the professional doctoral degree in Design in 2024. It ranks among the top 5 in national design discipline assessments. The school houses the National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Art and Design, the National Talent Training Demonstration Zone, the Key Laboratory of Digital Cultural Creativity and Intelligent Design Technology under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Lushan Laboratory of Hunan Yuelu Mountain Industrial Design Innovation Center, and the Hunan Key Laboratory of Intelligent Human Factors Design. It is also a founding member of the Sino-Italian Design Innovation Center, a construction unit of the Hunan Industrial Design Innovation Platform, a member of the International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media (Cumulus), and the World Design Organization (WDO). The school has won the National Teaching Achievement Award (First Prize) twice in 1993 and 2018, two National Teaching Achievement Awards (Second Prize) in 2022, and the First Prize of the 9th Outstanding Achievement Award for Scientific Research in Higher Education (Humanities and Social Sciences) in 2024. It currently serves as the chair unit of the Subcommittee of Industrial Design Teaching Guidance under the Ministry of Education and the chair unit of the Industrial Design Teaching Committee of the China Machinery Industry.
II. Recruitment Disciplines and Directions
The school is continuously recruiting in the following directions:
1. Design and Arts (Industrial Design, Information and Interaction Design, Digital Media Arts, Film and Visual Arts)
2. Information Science and Technology (Computer Science and Technology, Electronic Information Science and Technology, Digital Media Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction)
3. Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation, Materials Science and Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Transportation Engineering)
4. Cognitive, Economics and Management (Psychology, Cognitive Science, Economics, Business Administration)
III. Recruitment Positions
The school is continuously recruiting several positions for Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor.
Priority is given to the introduction of high-level talents and young talents with outstanding development potential.
IV. Recruitment Conditions
1. Basic Requirements
Dedication to education, adherence to academic integrity, commitment to teaching and nurturing students, exemplary conduct as an educator, rigorous scholarship, collaborative spirit, and compliance with regulations.
2. Teaching and Research Requirements
1) Teaching Competence:
Possess the ability to cultivate professionals in the proposed discipline, capable of delivering foundational and specialized coursework while supervising graduate students.
2) Research Capabilities:
Demonstrate active academic thinking and profound scholarly potential, with substantial high-level research achievements in recent years. Possess a stable, cutting-edge research domain with established academic impact. Exhibit broad vision and strong foresight, adeptly identifying national strategic needs and international frontiers within the discipline. Exhibit potential to become an academic leader in a specific research field.
3. Additional Requirements
1) Education: Hold bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from renowned domestic or international universities or research institutions.
2) Age: Professors should generally not exceed 45 years old; Associate Professors, 40 years old; Assistant Professors, 35 years old.
No age restrictions apply to high-level talents.
V. Support and Benefits
1. Career faculty positions within the university’s establishment.
2. The university offers highly competitive salaries, appointments to regular establishment faculty positions, and provides research startup funds and relocation allowances according to the corresponding positions.
3. Enjoy rewards for landmark achievements according to relevant policies of the university and the school.
4. The university has established the special “Yuelu Scholars Program” with Outstanding, Leading, Distinguished, and Morning Star posts. Candidates with outstanding academic achievements may apply for corresponding positions.
5. Children are eligible to attend Hunan University Kindergarten (a provincial model kindergarten), Hunan University Affiliated Primary School, and Affiliated Middle School (bilingual experimental primary and middle schools).
6. For exceptionally outstanding scholars, the university may assist in arranging a position within the establishment for their spouse according to relevant regulations.
VI. Application Method
Submission of Materials:
1. Interested applicants are invited to submit their CVs via email or post. The required basic application materials are:
1) “Application Form for Teaching Positions at Hunan University” (in triplicate). Attachments should be prepared according to the “Instructions for Filling the Form” attached to the application;
2) Photocopies of ID card, academic degree certificates for each level, professional appointment letters, foreign language proficiency certificates, and proof of relevant work or study abroad experience;
3) Performance materials such as representative works, awards, and achievement certificates;
4) Recommendation letters from at least three peer experts.
2. Recruitment Period: Applications are accepted year-round.
3. School Contact Person and Information:
Contact Person: Mr. Xie
Email: design@hnu.edu.cn
Phone: 0731-88822418
Mailing Address: Room 102, Building D3, Taozihu, School of Design, Hunan University, Yuelu District, Changsha City, Hunan Province (Postal Code: 410082)
4. Download Links for Related Forms:
School’s Official Website: https://design.hnu.edu.cn/
Hunan University Human Resources Office Website: https://rsc.hnu.edu.cn/
Full-time Faculty Application Form Download: http://jobs.hnu.edu.cn/xzzq.htm
