Open Rank Faculty Position in Humanities

Location

Zayed Military University (ZMU), Abu Dhabi, UAE

About SUAD

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) is a leading international higher education institution established in partnership with Sorbonne University in Paris. The university delivers high-quality academic programs rooted in the French higher education tradition, while adapting course content and formats to meet the needs of the dynamic and multicultural environment of the United Arab Emirates.

SUAD offers undergraduate and graduate programs across a range of disciplines.

Research is a core pillar of SUAD’s mission. Through institutional initiatives, the SAFIR Institute, and active research centres, the university advances responsible and interdisciplinary research aligned with global academic standards and regional priorities. SUAD fosters local and international collaboration and promotes knowledge transfer through a diverse academic community and strategic partnerships.

About SUAD-ZMU

As part of a strategic academic collaboration, SUAD delivers selected academic programs at the campus of Zayed Military University (ZMU). Through this partnership, SUAD provides internationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs that combine academic rigor with applied learning.

Teaching and research activities conducted at the ZMU campus adhere to SUAD’s academic standards, quality assurance frameworks, and pedagogical approaches.

Positions based at ZMU usually require a strong on-site presence and active engagement with students, colleagues, and institutional partners.

Position Description

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi invites applications for an open-rank position in humanities or social sciences, with a specialization in Middle East studies, with teaching responsibilities based at the Zayed Military University (ZMU) campus.

The position may be filled at the level of lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor, depending on qualifications and experience. Both early-career and senior candidates are encouraged to apply.

SUAD is committed to attracting a diverse faculty and encourages applications from candidates with varied academic backgrounds and international experience.

The successful candidate will be a discipline-based scholar—preferably in history, sociology, geography, or economics, with openness to interdisciplinary approaches—with demonstrated expertise in the Middle East and Gulf region.

While contributing to interdisciplinary teaching in Emirati and Middle Eastern studies, the candidate will also be expected to teach and develop courses within their disciplinary specialization at the undergraduate level.

The teaching portfolio will include courses in Emirati studies, history and societies of the Middle East, and introduction to research.

The candidate will be affiliated with the SAFIR Research Institute in their field of specialization and will contribute actively to research, disciplinary teaching, and the broader intellectual life of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching

• Contribute to the delivery of courses—primarily within the foundation year—on the history, cultures, and societies of the Middle East, with particular attention to the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf region.
• Design and deliver undergraduate courses in the candidate’s area of specialization.
• Introduce students to research methods in the humanities and/or social sciences.
• Develop engaging teaching materials and learning activities that foster critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and research-based learning.

Student support and academic advising

• Provide academic guidance and mentorship to students.
• Supervise student projects and introductory research work.
• Support the development of students’ academic writing and analytical skills.

Academic and administrative service

• Participate in departmental and university service activities.
• Contribute to program development, curriculum review, and academic governance where appropriate.

Research activities

• Contribute to advancing SUAD’s research profile through publications in well-established journals and book series, and through active participation in relevant academic events and research initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in history, geography, sociology, anthropology, economics, or another relevant field in the humanities or social sciences from an accredited higher education institution.
• Demonstrated expertise on the Middle East, with particular familiarity with the Gulf region and preferably the United Arab Emirates.
• Professional proficiency in English is mandatory. IELTS certification or equivalent qualification is an asset.
• Capacity to supervise and mentor students in research methods, project development, and academic writing.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural academic environment.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or French is considered an asset.
• Advanced pedagogical skills and proficiency in educational technologies and online learning platforms are considered an asset.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A cover letter addressing their expertise and alignment with SUAD’s vision.
• A detailed curriculum vitae.
• A personal statement outlining:
  • Teaching experience
  • Teaching style and philosophy
  • Approach to teaching Middle Eastern studies
  • Engagement with research and future research plans
• Up to three publications representative of the applicant’s research profile and ambitions (if applicable).
• Recent teaching evaluations (if available).
• Contact details for three professional references, including at least one referee able to specifically address the candidate’s teaching quality.