Job Description

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia is seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor in Electrical and Electronic Engineering to support the delivery and development of the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme with experience of teaching and research in electrical engineering discipline. A successful candidate is expected to have a broad knowledge of a range of topics within the sphere of their chosen discipline, and an interest in research activities. The candidate will also be expected to develop strong links to colleagues at the other campuses to deliver high quality learning and teaching, to contribute to the continued development of the programmes offered to students, and to develop research in association with the Academic Schools in the UK.

The successful candidate will bring expertise in Electrical and Electronic Engineering together with a passion for lifelong learning and industry engagement. The role combines academic teaching, curriculum development and scholarly activity with the design, delivery and expansion of programmes that create meaningful impact for industry professionals and organisations.

The role is based at the University's campus in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia.

Programmes are delivered in English and therefore fluency in English is essential. This position is offered on a three-year fixed-term contract.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Academic Responsibilities (Electrical & Electronic Engineering)

Learning & Teaching

• Undertake teaching, assessment and related academic duties within the Electrical and Electronic Engineering programmes.
• Deliver modules in areas including, but not limited to Electrical Energy Systems, Probability, Statistics and Information Theory, Electromagnetism, Communication Devices and Systems, Distributed Generation, and Electrical Power Systems
• Contribute to and lead project-based learning activities, including Design Projects and Group Projects.
• Supervise undergraduate student projects, including individual and group design projects.
• Develop and update teaching, laboratory and project materials in line with University quality assurance requirements.
• Apply inclusive, student-centred and practice-oriented teaching approaches to support a diverse international student population.
• Support the delivery and adaptation of curricula developed across Heriot-Watt University's international campuses.

Curriculum Development & Programme Support

• Contribute to curriculum design, programme enhancement and continuous improvement activities.
• Review and enhance teaching effectiveness through student and peer feedback.
• Support accreditation and quality assurance processes, including those required by MQA and relevant professional bodies.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Engineering disciplines to ensure coherence in programme delivery and student experience.
• Contribute to programme administration, examination boards and academic committees as required.

Research & Scholarly Activity

• Maintain and develop subject expertise in line with advances in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
• Publish research outputs in peer-reviewed journals and/or conference proceedings.
• Contribute to research proposals, funding applications and collaborative research initiatives.
• Integrate research and professional practice developments into teaching and student projects.
• Engage with research activities and collaborations across Heriot-Watt University's global campuses.

Student Support & Industry Engagement

• Act as a personal tutor, providing academic guidance and support to students.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback on assessments.
• Support student employability through industry-focused projects, professional skills development and experiential learning opportunities.
• Contribute to industry engagement activities such as guest lectures, industry-linked projects, internships and placements.
• Support student recruitment, outreach activities, Open Days and other University events.

All activities should reflect HWU’s values of Inspire, Collaborate, Belong, and Celebrate. 

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post and its general responsibilities. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.  

Person Specification

This section details the attributes e.g. skills, knowledge/qualifications and competencies which are required in order to undertake the full remit of the role.

Education & Qualifications

Essential:

• PhD (or near completion) in Electrical Engineering.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (4- year programme).
• Member of an appropriate professional body.

Desirable:

• Professional Engineer (CEng/PEng).
• Member of a professional body such as IET and IEM.
• Registered with BEM.
• Formal training or certification in higher education teaching (e.g. HEA Fellowship or working towards).

Experience

Essential:

• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in Electrical  Engineering, and able to work within established teaching and research programmes.
• Capable in teaching at least 4 discipline-specific courses within the MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme.
• Clear communicator with good presentation skills, explaining concepts well.

Desirable:

• Excellent past teaching evaluations
• Reviewing and updating teaching materials
• Design/Research Project supervision
• Teaching at postgraduate level
• Research supervision experience
• Proven track record of research publication
• Maintaining and developing new links with industry for securing contract research and/or industrial placements

Competencies, Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

• Fluent (verbal and written) in English
• An ability to apply knowledge acquired from research into teaching materials and methods
• Willingness and potential to identify and develop independent / collaborative portfolio of research
• Strong understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design for senior-level audiences.
• Project management skills, with a track record of delivering complex programmes on time and within budget.
• Strategic thinking combined with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Desirable:

• Experienced with engineering accreditation documentation and exercise
• Competent in implementing the Outcome-based Education framework
• Capable in contributing to the management, development and enhancement of all learning and teaching activities in Malaysia
• Capable in helping to establish a research presence and portfolio in Malaysia
• Capable in developing Design/Research Project titles that support local industries.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to engage C-suite executives and corporate partners.

Special Factors (if applicable)

Essential:

• Eligibility to be recognised as a Graduate Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)

Desirable:

• Has been in a start-up campus or department and helped to establish it
• Capable in supporting marketing activities such as education fair, open days and conducting workshops
• Able to supervise groups of students participating at national / international competitions

Essential Criteria – these are attributes without which a candidate would not be able to undertake the full remit of the role.  Applicants who do not clearly demonstrate in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be eliminated at the shortlisting stage.  

Desirable Criteria – these are attributes which would be useful for the candidate to hold.  When shortlisting, these criteria will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential criteria.   

Other Relevant Information

We aim to hold interviews at the Malaysia Campus in Putrajaya on the week of 12 October 2026.

For more information about Malaysia Campus, please visit http://www.hw.edu.my.

For information about Purpose-Driven Education, please see our website: https://www.hw.ac.uk/malaysia/about/purpose-driven-education.htm

Application Process

Applications should be submitted to Careers system.

Applications must be submitted by 7 October 2026. If you are not contacted by the selection committee by 16 October 2026 then please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

The University is committed to equality of opportunity.