Director | The Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC)

The Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in the United Arab Emirates invites applications for the full-time CASIC Faculty Director position. The successful candidate will have a specialization in a relevant field of Arabic studies, Islamic civilization, or a closely related discipline, broadly defined. The successful candidate will also serve as Co-Chair of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair in Arabic Language, AI, and Digital Heritage. The UNESCO Chair promotes interdisciplinary research, education, and international collaboration at the intersection of Arabic language studies, artificial intelligence, and digital heritage preservation. In this role, the candidate will provide academic leadership and build partnerships that advance the Chair’s research, education, and outreach and strengthen its regional and global impact. CASIC draws on AUS’s expertise across academic disciplines to promote innovative, multidisciplinary research on the cultural continuity and diversity of the Arab and Islamic worlds. CASIC aligns its research objectives with key priorities in Sharjah and the UAE, emphasizing the study of the Arabic language, heritage, history, and cultures of the Arab and Islamic worlds. Situated at the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds and shaped by cultural influences from both East and West, CASIC offers a counterpoint to Western approaches to the study of the Arab world and Islamic civilization. CASIC conducts in-depth research on the region’s history, cultures, arts, contemporary dynamics, and diasporas. Its work will focus on cultural heritage, arts, and architecture; language, literature, and media studies; humanities, performing arts, and visual communication; economy, society, and the digital age. The center seeks to reorient the study of the Arab world and Islamic civilization both regionally and globally. CASIC seeks a director with deep knowledge of the culture, history, and contemporary realities of the Arab and Islamic worlds. Proficiency in Islamicate languages is desirable. The director will shape the center’s long-term strategy, set clear priorities, and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. The center will build research programs that combine the scholarly traditions of Arab and Islamic civilizations with contemporary methods, applying them to the needs of modern UAE society, the Arab region, and the wider world. AUS offers several educational programs that align with and support CASIC's activities and goals. These programs provide strength in Arabic and Translation Studies; the History and Culture of the Arab World; Islamic Arts and Architecture; Philosophy; Middle Eastern Studies; the Politics and Economy of the Arab World; and Arab Media, Visual Communication, and Performing Arts. CASIC will serve as a central hub, uniting expertise from within AUS and engaging with local and international stakeholders to address cultural and societal issues. The center aims to foster partnerships highlighting Arab and Islamic contributions to global heritage. The center will collaborate closely with organizations such as the Sharjah Art Foundation, the Sharjah Museums Authority, the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy, and others. CASIC’s leadership will build the center into a globally recognized hub for the study of Arab and Islamic civilizations and strengthen AUS’s research profile. The center will prioritize disseminating knowledge, building strategic partnerships with local and international institutions and researchers, and fostering academic collaboration. Furthermore, CASIC will invest in talent development by supporting graduate student research, postdoctoral fellowships, and visiting scholars. Faculty Director candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant field at the time of appointment, demonstrate an excellent record of academic and research leadership, and, ideally, be prepared to relocate to the UAE by December 2026. As an institution based on the American model of higher education and with English as the medium of instruction, AUS prioritizes candidates with significant experience in similar educational systems. How To Apply Please fill the application Form The complete application will include the following documents, uploaded as separate files: a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, a list of three referees with contact information, a research statement, a teaching statement, a chapter- or article-length publication sample, and evidence of prior research leadership experience. Situated near Sharjah International Airport in the expansive University City area and only 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport, AUS is in a dynamic, cosmopolitan area with abundant opportunities for travel, entertainment, cultural experiences, and natural beauty. Salary and benefits are competitive. The American University of Sharjah is a not-for-profit, independent, coeducational institution of higher education formed on American models but thoroughly grounded in Arab culture. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 5,800 students from approximately 90 nations. English is the language of instruction and the workplace. AUS has been ranked among the top 10 Arab universities by the QS World University Rankings for the past 9 consecutive years. AUS is licensed, and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. AUS has been accredited in the United States of America by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 USA) since June 2004. Show more Show less

Faculty Director candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant field at the time of appointment, demonstrate an excellent record of academic and research leadership, and, ideally, be prepared to relocate to the UAE by December 2026.

Provide academic leadership and build partnerships to advance the UNESCO Chair in Arabic Language, AI, and Digital Heritage; shape the center’s long-term strategy, set clear priorities, and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration; build research programs combining traditional Arab and Islamic scholarly traditions with contemporary methods; disseminate knowledge, build strategic partnerships with local and international institutions, and foster academic collaboration; support graduate student research, postdoctoral fellowships, and visiting scholars.