Head of the Department of Architecture

Head of the Department of Architecture

College of Architecture, Art and Design

American University of Sharjah

The College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) seeks applications and nominations for the position of Head of the Department of Architecture. CAAD has established a reputation as a leader in design education in the region. Our graduates regularly continue their studies at top universities worldwide and have established themselves as key contributors to design and creative industries across the region. AUS has been ranked among the top 150 programs globally in the Architecture/Built Environment discipline by QS World University Subject Rankings.

The Head leads a department of 24 faculty members and 350 undergraduate students. The department offers the five-year Bachelor of Architecture and the four-year Bachelor of Interior Design. Undergraduate students in CAAD begin their studies in a Foundation Year and are taught by department faculty. Some department faculty teach in CAAD’s Master of Urban Planning program. Samples of student work can be found at Department of Architecture - Student work.

CAAD promotes a culture of design through making, including design-build studios backed by extensive fabrication facilities in CAAD Labs that cover the spectrum of making—from clay to new materials and techniques that comprehensively span all mechanical and digital fabrication as well as photography, video, sound and printmaking.

Reporting to the Dean and assisted by a dedicated administrative staff member, the Head is responsible for effectively managing human, fiscal and physical resources. The Head supports the strategic vision for each program; provides oversight over curriculum, personnel and budget; and is responsible for applying university rules and procedures.

The successful candidate will possess a terminal degree in architecture–typically a Master of Architecture (or equivalent)–or interior design–typically an MFA, MID, MA (or equivalent)–along with relevant academic and professional experience, at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, preferably within the North American model of studio-based design education with a liberal arts core. Licensure is desirable when applicable. The Head must have demonstrated the capacity for academic leadership.

In addition to administering the department, the Head teaches nine credit hours a year, engages in scholarship, and engages in service to the college, university and community.

This is a twelve-month appointment, and the initial term is for three years. AUS offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and a benefits package that includes free housing, contributions to health insurance and education expenses for dependent children, return airfare at the beginning and end of the period of service, and a generous retirement contribution. For more information about working at AUS, please consult the Working at AUS page.

The successful candidate is expected to assume duties in August 2023. Review of applications will commence November 18, 2022. Interested applicants should submit: 1) a letter of application that describes your fit with this position description and provides the names and contact information of three referees; 2) a curriculum vitae; and 3) a digital portfolio of scholarly/professional/teaching activities. All these documents are to be submitted as one PDF file.

Submit applications at https://tinyurl.com/ARCH-HOD-2022. (To apply, you must have a Google account).

Founded in 1997 by the Ruler of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah is a comprehensive, independent, non-profit coeducational university based on American models of higher education. AUS provides broad access to highly motivated students from all countries, while maintaining academic standards appropriate to and consistent with US universities. The university has achieved remarkable growth and academic distinction during its short history. The campus is a spectacular setting and is located approximately 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Sharjah is known as a city of learning and culture, and the United Arab Emirates is a thriving and rapidly changing country of approximately nine million inhabitants from across the world.

AUS has four academic units. In addition to CAAD, the university includes the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, and the College of Engineering. All classes are taught in English, and although most faculty members are educated in the West, the atmosphere is vibrantly international. The curriculum is based on the North American model with liberal arts and sciences integrated with professional education. CAAD has five undergraduate programs leading to degrees in architecture, interior design, visual communication, multimedia design and design management, as well as a graduate program in urban planning.

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. The Bachelor of Architecture degree is fully accredited by the National Architecture Accreditation Board (NAAB) in the United States.