Director | Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC)
American University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates · Full Time
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- 1 week ago
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Job description
Position Overview
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) invites applications for the full-time Director position at the Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC) located in Sharjah, UAE. The Director will have expertise in Arabic studies, Islamic civilization, or a closely related discipline. This leadership role also includes serving as Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair in Arabic Language, AI, and Digital Heritage, fostering research, education, and collaboration at the nexus of Arabic language, artificial intelligence, and digital heritage preservation.
About CASIC
CASIC harnesses AUS's multidisciplinary academic strengths to advance innovative research on Arab and Islamic cultural continuity and diversity. The center aligns its objectives with regional and UAE priorities, focusing on Arabic language, heritage, history, and culture. Positioned at a cultural crossroads, CASIC offers alternative perspectives to Western approaches on Arab and Islamic studies.
Research at CASIC spans the region's history, arts, contemporary issues, and diasporas, emphasizing cultural heritage, arts, architecture, literature, media, humanities, performing arts, visual communication, economy, society, and digital transformation. The center is dedicated to reshaping studies of the Arab world and Islamic civilization on regional and global scales.
Role Responsibilities
- Lead CASIC's vision and strategy, promoting innovation and collaboration.
- Develop research programs combining traditional Arab and Islamic scholarly methods with modern approaches, addressing the needs of UAE society, the Arab region, and beyond.
- Serve as Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair to enhance interdisciplinary research, education, and international partnerships.
- Forge strategic partnerships with local and global institutions, including cultural and academic organizations in Sharjah and the UAE.
- Enhance AUS's research profile through CASIC's global recognition.
- Support talent development through graduate research, postdoctoral fellowships, and visiting scholar programs.
Qualifications and Requirements
- PhD in Arabic studies, Islamic civilization, or a related field at appointment.
- Proven excellence in academic and research leadership.
- Familiarity with Islamicate languages is preferred.
- Experience within American-model higher education systems with English as the instruction medium is highly valued.
- Willingness to relocate to the UAE by December 2026.
Additional Information
AUS is a not-for-profit institution modeled on American higher education and rooted in Arab culture, enrolling over 5,800 students from about 90 countries. The campus is near Sharjah International Airport and close to Dubai International Airport, situated in a vibrant, multicultural region with extensive cultural and recreational opportunities. AUS has maintained a top 10 ranking among Arab universities by QS World University Rankings for nine consecutive years and holds accreditation both locally and from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the USA.
Salary and benefits are competitive and reflective of the position’s senior leadership level.
Application Process
Applicants should submit the following documents as separate files: a cover letter, CV, list of three references with contact details, research statement, teaching statement, a sample publication (chapter or article-length), and evidence of research leadership experience.