Assistant Professor in Media and Communication (Television Production)

Role Summary

The Department of Media and Creative Industries seeks to make an appointment to an Assistant Professorship in Media and Communication specilsing in Television Production. The primary teaching role involves practicum courses in television production I and II, digital production, news, documentaries, writing for broadcast, as well as other theoretical media courses that is offered in the department.

The role holder will be a member of The College of Humanities and Social Sciences. They will be an enthusiastic and talented researcher and educator, with a track record of high-quality publications and a high-potential research agenda. They will become part of a lively and intellectually stimulating community which performs to high international standards in research and publications and will have access to the excellent facilities and research environment which UAEU offers. They will have a vital role to play in contributing to the success of The College of Humanities and Social Sciences within the context of the strategic goals of UAEU, and an excellent opportunity to develop their own experience and achieve success.

The role holder will be expected to undertake advanced, internationally excellent research in media, to teach and to supervise at the undergraduate and graduate levels, to contribute to admissions, examining and assessment, and to contribute fully to academic administration in both the Department and the College.

Key Responsibilities

Assistant Professors make a full contribution to the academic life of the University through research, teaching and academic service. There is considerable flexibility in the organization of duties and faculty workload planning is undertaken as part of ongoing staff review with the Department Chair in order to ensure appropriate time and opportunity to undertake all duties as well as for professional development. The broad balance of duties for Assistant Professors includes Teaching, Supervision and Examining (40%), Research (40%) and to contribute to the overall development of the College and Departmental profile as a world-leading provider of Media education, training and research of the highest academic standard (20%).

About the University

United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is the oldest university in the United Arab Emirates – founded in 1976 – and has a clear mission to maintain and enhance its high reputation in the country, the region and beyond as “The University of the Future”.

With a faculty of more than 930 and 13,000 students from 64 countries, UAEU is internationally-oriented with a strong emphasis on social impact and external collaboration in both its education and research. The University offers 52 Bachelors’ degree programs and 37 Masters’ programs as well as a Doctorate of Medicine (MD), Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) and a number of other PhD programs. It was recently recognized in the QS World Rankings as among the top 300 universities in the world and the 27th best ‘Young University’ globally.  It is 5th in the league of Arab Universities.

Our faculty and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve national and global social challenges. Out academic community is inspired by the dynamism and cosmopolitanism of the UAE, its values of tolerance and its rapid development as an internationally-recognized center of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

The Department and College

The Department of Media and Creative Industries started life as a Mass Communication Department that was formally launched in 1981. Its programs today are designed to equip students with competencies, skills and critical thinking to be functional professionals in the contemporary work environment in the UAE and globally. The dynamic faculty have diverse teaching and research profiles in areas such as digital media and society, media and information literacy, media and identity, media and conflict, media and gender, new media and digital cultures, media management, globalization and international communication, media convergence and on-line journalism, strategic communication, branding and e-governance etc. Faculty in the Creative Industries have successful careers as painters, sculptors, photographers and designers who have exhibited internationally and have taught in institutions around the world.

The Department is in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, an emerging regional center for scholarship in its disciplines which aims to be an internationally recognized provider of high-quality academic programs and producer of innovative research. Graduates of the College’s interdisciplinary liberal education are independent, resourceful and enterprising citizens, well-prepared professionals, leaders in government, business, civil society and shapers of the future of the UAE.

What We Offer

Faculty arriving at UAEU will join a lively, intellectually stimulating and multi-disciplinary academic community with internationally-competitive standards in research and teaching, and enjoy an excellent standard of living in beautiful surroundings on campus and outside.

Set in the historic oasis region of Al Ain, UAEU is at the heart of a beautiful, cosmopolitan university town. As well as the attractions of the world-famous cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai just 1.5 hours’ drive away, the beauty of the region’s natural environment in the desert and on the coast is in easy reach as well as in neighboring Oman.

The University offers a competitive compensation package for faculty with a starting annual salary commensurate with experience. In exceptional cases, appointments advertised for posts at Assistant Professor level may be made to Associate Professor. There is the opportunity for promotion in post through the annual review and promotion system.

Education & qualifications

Candidates should have a PhD in Media Fields and additional qualifications in teaching and learning or other professional skills relevant to a faculty role. Furthermore, candidates should have prior experience of developing and teaching University courses in TV practicum/studio-based courses. Other evidence of media industry work experience, such as broadcast channels or media production companies and the evidence of ability to engage in international-quality research, with publications and other participation in research activities commensurate with stage of career.

Application procedure

Applicants should upload a CV and a cover letter which should include a concise statement of motivation of no more than 750 words that specifies research interests and plans and teaching philosophy. Please also include the names of TWO academic references and indicate whether they may be contacted during the application process or only after an offer has been accepted. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed remotely. Final round interviews may be held on campus and candidates may be asked to submit a more detailed research proposal and/or give a short presentation as part of the interview process.

All materials should be uploaded via the UAEU Job Portal at https://jobs.uaeu.ac.ae/index.jsp  Materials submitted by other means will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 26th March, 2021. Initial interviews are planned to be held mid-March. The post start date is August, 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Informal enquiries about the Department or the post may be directed to of Dr Ahmed Mansoori a.mansoori@uaeu.ac.ae 

Questions about the application procedure or general enquiries may be directed to recruitment@uaeu.ac.ae