Academic Director: Curriculum Design, Tech Leadership, Innovation, and Human Skills

Position Title: Academic Director: Curriculum Design, Tech Leadership, Innovation, and Human Skills

Overview

We are seeking an Academic Director, Curriculum Design, Tech Leadership, Innovation, and Human Skills to join our School of Chemical Engineering, Mining, and Biological Engineering. This role is designed for a forward-thinking leader with extensive and diverse professional experience in teaching and training, as well as a passion for shaping the next generation of engineers.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about educational excellence, with a strong background in curriculum design, innovative teaching methodologies, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and project-based learning.

The candidate will integrate leading curriculum design strategies, leadership and innovation strategies, and human-centered skills into our curriculum to prepare students for the complex, rapidly evolving demands of the engineering and technological landscape.

This pivotal role focuses on reimagining how future chemical engineers are educated by driving curriculum transformation, pedagogical advancements, and experiential learning strategies.

Responsibilities

Curriculum Development & Teaching:

* Design, implement, and continuously improve the chemical engineering curriculum to ensure alignment with emerging industry trends, technologies, and global challenges.
* Lead curriculum reform initiatives that integrate sustainability, digitalization, AI, and data-driven decision-making into engineering education.
* Promote interdisciplinary learning, blending technical expertise with human-centered skills such as leadership, critical thinking, and design thinking.
* Design and deliver engaging courses. workshops and bootcamps on tech leadership, creativity and innovation, and human skills (learning how to learn, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, systems thinking) tailored to chemical engineering contexts.
* Foster experiential learning through real-world projects, case studies, and team-based challenges that promote creative problem-solving and collaboration.
* Integrate emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics, and digital transformation tools relevant to the chemical engineering industry.

Pedagogical Innovation

* Introduce and scale innovative teaching practices, including project-based learning, flipped classrooms, problem-solving workshops, and team challenges.
* Foster a culture of active learning, emphasizing experiential education, real-world applications, and student-centered approaches.
* Leverage educational technologies to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement.

Leadership & Innovation Initiatives

* Lead initiatives that encourage a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the department.
* Mentor student-led projects, startups, and interdisciplinary collaborations focusing on sustainability, process optimization, and technological advancements.
* Organize workshops, seminars, and leadership bootcamps to cultivate future-ready skills in students.

Industry & Academic Collaboration

* Build strong partnerships with industry leaders, research institutions, and tech innovators to enhance the program’s relevance and student opportunities.
* Serve as a bridge between academia and industry, bringing real-world insights, case studies, and guest speakers into the classroom.

Advisory & Mentorship

* Provide academic advising and career mentorship to students, fostering their professional growth and leadership potential.
* Guide faculty on integrating human-centered learning approaches and innovative pedagogical strategies into technical courses.

Faculty Development & Mentorship

* Provide leadership and mentorship to faculty, supporting them in adopting innovative pedagogical strategies and modern assessment methods.
* Organize faculty workshops, training programs, and teaching excellence seminars to promote continuous professional development.

Strategic Partnerships & Collaboration

* Build strategic partnerships with industry leaders, academic institutions, and research centers to enrich the curriculum and expand learning opportunities.
* Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the curriculum reflects the evolving needs of the chemical engineering profession.

Assessment & Quality Assurance

* Develop robust assessment frameworks to measure learning outcomes, teaching effectiveness, and program impact.
* Use data-driven insights to guide continuous improvement and educational innovation.

Qualifications

* Eng. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Tech Leadership and Innovation Studies, or a related field.
* A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in curriculum design, tech leadership, innovation, and human skills teaching and training,
* Experience teaching technological innovation methods such as TRIZ and Design Thinking
* Experience designing and implementing learning and development programs in different industries
* Strong background in teaching, mentoring, or corporate training with an emphasis on experiential learning, leadership development and innovation.
* Ability to foster diverse, collaborative and inclusive learning environments.
* Strong understanding of modern educational technologies, active learning strategies, and student-centered teaching approaches.
* Excellent leadership, communication, and creativity skills.