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American University of Sharjah

College of Architecture, Art and Design

Department of Architecture

Visiting Assistant Professor | Architecture or Interior Design

The College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) invites applications for a 10-month, visiting position in the Department of Architecture at the rank of Assistant Professor. Teaching in the Department of Architecture includes a broad range of focus areas, including beginning design, architectural design, interior design, urban design, fabrication, integrated design, building technology and computation. Demonstrated experience and flexibility in teaching across multiple design disciplines and the ability to teach design studios at various levels—especially beginning design and core studio curriculum courses—will be considered an asset. Applicants will be expected to mentor students through an established advising process and to participate in service activities for the department, college and university.  The position is subject to funding availability.

Qualifications

For positions in architecture, a terminal degree, typically a Master of Architecture (or equivalent), is required. Licensure and a thorough knowledge of design history, theory and practice are desirable. For positions in interior design, a degree in interior design (MFA, MID, MA or equivalent) and professional experience in interior design is required. Applicants who have academic experience with the North American model of studio-based design education are preferred. Review of applications will begin in December 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Successful candidates are expected to assume duties in August 2025.

CAAD and AUS

The Bachelor of Architecture at CAAD was the first program outside of North America to receive full accreditation through the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). It offers a progressive, coeducational curriculum serving a highly diverse student body that is 75 percent female. The department has a tradition of faculty-led summer study abroad programs in Europe and East Asia, as well as a fall semester studio based in Barcelona. Our programs are committed to balancing core disciplinary competence in the design of buildings with advanced studios focused on full-scale fabrication, contemporary urbanism and environmental sustainability. The faculty and students in both architecture and interior design are internationally recognized for scholarship and work produced across a range of studios and courses. In the past 10 years, our Design Build studios alone have been recognized with 10 AIA Regional Awards, three ACSA Design Build Awards, an ACSA Collaborative Practice Award and have been featured in two JAE articles.

Website:  www.aus.edu/caad-arch

CAAD has established a reputation as a leader in design education in the region, with AUS ranking number one in the UAE and among the top 200 universities globally for architecture and the built environment, and for art and design (QS World University Subject Rankings, 2024). Faculty have the opportunity to grow and contribute to a dynamic and diverse environment with students from approximately 90 nationalities. 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. CAAD offers five undergraduate programs leading to degrees in architecture, interior design, visual communication, multimedia design and design management, and a Master of Urban Planning degree. The curriculum is based on the North American model with liberal arts and sciences integrated with a professional education. All courses are taught in English.

AUS is a leading comprehensive university in the Gulf, serving students from the United Arab Emirates, neighboring countries in the region, and around the world. In addition to CAAD, the university comprises the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and School of Business Administration. AUS is fully committed to equal opportunity at all levels without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, age, family status or national origin. AUS offers a competitive salary and benefits package, free housing and a generous retirement contribution. 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 campus is located in the heart of the Gulf Region, a short driving distance from downtown Dubai, and centrally situated for travel to Africa, Asia and Europe. Our extensive campus library system is complemented by the new House of Wisdom designed by Sir Norman Foster, located adjacent to and within walking distance of the AUS campus. Abu Dhabi and Dubai were recently ranked by The Economist as the Arab world’s two top-ranked most livable cities, offering a rich cultural and physical environment featuring beaches, mountains and spectacular desert landscapes.

Interested applicants should submit the following documents as a single PDF file that can be downloaded without a password:

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


3. a digital portfolio of scholarly/professional/teaching activities.

Submit applications in confidence by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ARC-VAP-24

(To apply, you must have a Google account).