Full Professor of Private and Commercial Law

Teaching Responsibilities

The candidate is expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in private law and mostly commercial law. Courses are delivered in French (Bachelor level) and English (Master level). Teaching duties include delivering lectures, tutorials, and directing student research and projects. Full professors have a service load of 192 hours (contact hours) per academic year and need to engage each semester in related duties, including grading, invigilation, and office hours.

Research Activities

The candidate is expected to participate and engage actively in research activities and projects within the framework of the strategic objectives of the institution and lead their own research projects in collaboration with local and/or international partners.

Administrative and Liaison Duties

The candidate will be required to serve as the local liaison for French degrees, whose directors are in Paris, in the fields of international commercial law, arbitration, banking, finance, and fintech regulations. They will also collaborate with other faculty members in promoting the department's activities on local and international levels, serve on committees when needed, and participate actively in the life of the department and the university.

Key Accountabilities

Research & Conferences:

• Participate in building the research strategy of the university within the framework of the research council.
• Initiate and lead disciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects.
• Conduct collective and individual research within the field of interest to satisfy the university’s strategy and research objectives given by the research council and enhance the university’s reputation. This includes determining relevant research objectives, initiating and implementing research projects, and managing timeframes, resources, materials, finance, and equipment to achieve research objectives.
• Write up research work appropriately for publication to disseminate ideas and results to the wider community. Participate in presentations and conferences to establish and maintain network contacts, raise the profile of the research and university, and keep up to date with recent developments.
• Identify appropriate sources of funding and prepare research proposals to obtain financial support for research projects.
• Supervise undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD or post-doctoral research students to assist in developing their research skills and fulfilling the research requirements of their degree qualification.

Lecturing:

• Deliver teaching courses to ensure student learning outcomes are achieved and aim for teaching excellence for the department. This includes preparing teaching material in advance, communicating subject matter clearly, observing student progress and learning styles, reacting appropriately to student needs, responding to student questions outside class times, and preparing for contingencies in course delivery.
• Conduct assessment of students’ work to determine whether they have achieved the desired standards for progression or award of a qualification. Provide feedback designed to develop and motivate student learning and address issues if required.
• Develop and encourage teaching modes based on projects, autonomous student work, and research-oriented teaching.

Student Counselling:

• Provide academic and career advice to students according to their academic or personal needs within own level of competence. If necessary, refer them to appropriate authorities for further help or guidance, such as business liaison and career advisors, student counsellors, or relevant university staff members.
• Build positive relationships with students that enhance the learning experience, foster a supportive academic environment, and contribute to the overall success of both students and the institution.
• Provide guidance on internships, placements, and job opportunities whenever required by students.
• Mentor graduate students in their research and academic pursuits.

Course Assessment & Improvement:

• Conduct self-evaluation of courses.
• Include the outcome of student surveys and feedback during the course assessment process.
• Participate and contribute toward the development of innovative pedagogical tools and methods within the department.

Examination Duties:

• Invigilate examinations when required to ensure exams are carried out according to exam board rules; allow each candidate to sit the exam under the same conditions; and control cheating.
• Support and participate in examination activities such as paper setting, assessing answer sheets, student presentations, and practical evaluations.

Daily Operations of the Department:

• Liaise with the academic coordinator to arrange teaching requirements, such as lesson schedules, teaching materials, submission of student assessments, and addressing student special needs for testing.
• Participate in events, communications, and school visits to support recruitment objectives.
• Organize events and extracurricular activities (cultural events, conferences, field trips) encouraging community engagement and a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Administrative:

• Work with relevant departments to support the development and implementation of university functions, such as student recruitment, admissions, library learning resources, and IT teaching technology.
• Coordinate teaching programs with relevant faculty staff to ensure courses complement other courses taken by students.
• Represent the faculty or department on relevant committees, task forces, and focus groups to ensure appropriate governance and progress in the university.
• Liaise with the two heads of program in business law (Masters) in Paris to ensure academic monitoring of students.

Policies and Procedures:

• Follow department policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions to ensure work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.

Related Assignments:

• Perform other related duties or assignments as directed by the line manager.

Community Outreach:

• Develop academic and research partnerships with local partners and the community, including internships.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferably full professor in private law and/or commercial law. PhD is mandatory (granted by government body when available from home country), and an Habilitation à diriger des recherches (a CNU approval is also mandatory if qualification was obtained in France) or foreign equivalent or a French law Agrégation.

Minimum Experience:

10 years of teaching and research experience in the higher education sector. Proven track record of outstanding achievements in international and interdisciplinary research, including successful securing of external research funding in the fields of commercial law, banking and finance law, international arbitration, or international contracts. Outstanding results in graduate students’ supervision.

Job-Specific Skills:

• Mastery of private law, commercial law, banking and finance law, international arbitration, or international contracts.
• University lecturing skills and knowledge.
• Strong international research and scientific presence.
• Experience in the Middle East is an asset.
• Strong interest in teaching excellence and innovative pedagogical approaches.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Advanced mastery of innovative pedagogical skills and knowledge of university learning resources and technology, including Microsoft Office programs and online platforms.
• Individual and collective research skills and research project management experience with demonstrated ability to secure external research funding.
• Proven experience in supervising students’ theses.
• Planning and organizing skills.
• Communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking.
• Strong teamwork abilities and a high sense of collaboration.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt effectively in multicultural environments.
• Languages: English and French are mandatory; Arabic is an asset.