CASIC Director – American University of Sharjah

Job Description

CASIC Director – The Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations, American University of Sharjah (AUS)

Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | Institution: American University of Sharjah (AUS) | Center: Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC) | Post Date: June 16, 2026

About the CASIC Director Role

American University of Sharjah (AUS) invites applications for the full-time CASIC Director position. This role sits within the Center for Arab Studies and Islamic Civilizations (CASIC), based in the United Arab Emirates. Candidates should have a specialization in Arabic studies, Islamic civilization, or a closely related discipline, broadly defined.

In addition, the CASIC Director will serve as Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair in Arabic Language, AI, and Digital Heritage. This Chair promotes interdisciplinary research and international collaboration at the intersection of Arabic language studies, artificial intelligence, and digital heritage preservation. As Co-Chair, the successful candidate will provide academic leadership and build partnerships that strengthen the Chair’s regional and global impact.

What CASIC Does

CASIC draws on expertise from across AUS to promote multidisciplinary research on the cultural continuity of the Arab and Islamic worlds. Its research priorities align closely with Sharjah and UAE goals, particularly the study of Arabic language, heritage, and history. Because CASIC sits at the crossroads of East and West, it offers a distinctive alternative to Western-centered approaches to Islamic civilization.

The center’s research spans several areas: cultural heritage, arts, and architecture; language, literature, and media studies; humanities and visual communication; and the digital economy and society. As a result, CASIC aims to reshape how the Arab world and Islamic civilization are studied, both regionally and globally.

What the CASIC Director Will Do

The ideal CASIC Director brings deep knowledge of Arab and Islamic history and contemporary culture. Proficiency in Islamicate languages is a plus. Since this is a leadership role, the director will also set the center’s long-term strategy and build a culture of collaboration and innovation. Consequently, research programs developed under this role will blend classical scholarly traditions with contemporary methods, applied to real needs across the UAE, the Arab region, and beyond.

AUS supports CASIC through related programs in Arabic and Translation Studies, Arab History and Culture, Islamic Arts and Architecture, Philosophy, Middle Eastern Studies, and Arab Media and Visual Communication. Furthermore, CASIC will partner with organizations such as the Sharjah Art Foundation, the Sharjah Museums Authority, and the Sharjah Arabic Language Academy to extend its regional reach.

Over time, the CASIC Director will build the center into a globally recognized hub for Arab and Islamic studies. This includes strengthening AUS’s research profile, forming strategic partnerships, and investing in talent through graduate research support, postdoctoral fellowships, and visiting scholar programs.

Qualifications

To be considered, CASIC Director candidates must meet the following:

• Hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field at the time of appointment
• Demonstrate an excellent record of academic and research leadership
• Be prepared, ideally, to relocate to the UAE by December 2026
• Have significant experience within American-model higher education systems, since AUS follows this model with English as its language of instruction

How to Apply

To apply, candidates should complete the application form and upload the following 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
• Evidence of prior research leadership experience

AUS is located near Sharjah International Airport, within the University City area, and just 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport. As a result, the CASIC Director role offers easy access to a dynamic, cosmopolitan region with strong opportunities for travel and cultural engagement. Salary and benefits are competitive.

About American University of Sharjah

AUS is a not-for-profit, coeducational institution built on the American higher education model, though firmly grounded in Arab culture. Based in Sharjah’s University City, it serves more than 5,800 students from around 90 nations, with English as the language of instruction. For nine consecutive years, AUS has ranked among the top 10 Arab universities in the QS World University Rankings.

AUS holds accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation, and has been accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 2004.

Job Summary

Browse academic jobs in Sharjah, or explore more Languages, Literature & Culture jobs.