Job Description

Assistant Professor of Political Science (Tenure-Track) – NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Division of Social Science at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Political Science.

This is an open-field junior faculty search, welcoming scholars from across Political Science. The University is particularly interested in applicants whose research focuses on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) or South Asia, as well as scholars working on questions related to the environment or artificial intelligence (AI).

The successful candidate will contribute to NYU Abu Dhabi’s research-intensive academic environment through scholarship, undergraduate teaching, and student mentoring.

Applicants must hold a PhD in Political Science or a related field by 1 August 2027. Candidates should demonstrate either an established record of strong scholarship or the potential to develop one, together with teaching and mentoring capabilities.

Academic Rank: Assistant Professor
Appointment Type: Tenure-track
Institution: New York University Abu Dhabi
Division: Social Science
Discipline: Political Science
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Required Qualification: PhD in Political Science or a related field by 1 August 2027
Anticipated Start: Academic year 2027–2028, subject to budget approval
Application Deadline: 30 November (year not specified in the supplied advertisement)

About New York University Abu Dhabi

New York University Abu Dhabi is a comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the United Arab Emirates and part of New York University’s global academic network.

NYUAD combines undergraduate education across the social sciences, humanities, sciences, engineering, and arts with advanced research and scholarship.

The University brings together students and faculty from a wide range of national and cultural backgrounds, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international academic engagement.

Together with NYU’s campuses in New York and Shanghai, NYU Abu Dhabi contributes to a global university network supporting teaching, research, and cross-cultural learning.

NYUAD places particular emphasis on multidisciplinary research, exceptional teaching, inclusion, and mutual respect within its international academic community.

Position Overview

The Division of Social Science seeks an emerging scholar who will contribute to the development of Political Science research and education at NYU Abu Dhabi.

The position is open to candidates from across the discipline rather than being restricted to a particular subfield or methodology.

NYUAD particularly welcomes applicants whose work engages with:

• The Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
• South Asia.
• Environmental issues.
• Artificial intelligence and its political or social implications.

These areas represent institutional research interests, not exclusive eligibility requirements.

Candidates working in other areas of Political Science are also eligible to apply.

The University seeks scholars capable of developing an influential research programme while contributing to teaching and mentoring within a globally diverse academic environment.

Research Areas and Specialisations

1. Open-Field Political Science

The search welcomes applicants from across Political Science.

The advertisement does not restrict eligibility to a specific subfield, research method, theoretical approach, or geographical specialisation.

2. Middle East and North Africa

NYUAD particularly welcomes candidates whose regional research focus includes the Middle East and North Africa.

This regional preference does not exclude applicants studying other geographical areas.

3. South Asia

Applicants conducting Political Science research focused on South Asia are also particularly encouraged.

4. Environment and Politics

The University expresses special interest in scholars whose research addresses environmental topics within Political Science.

The advertisement does not prescribe a particular environmental research question or methodological approach.

5. Artificial Intelligence

NYUAD also welcomes candidates working on AI-related topics.

The advertisement does not require applicants to possess a technical degree in artificial intelligence or computer science.

AI is identified as an area of research interest rather than a mandatory specialisation.

Main Responsibilities

1. Research and Scholarship

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Conduct research within Political Science.
• Develop and maintain a strong scholarly research agenda.
• Contribute to the University’s research-intensive academic environment.
• Demonstrate important scholarly potential and contribute to the advancement of their field.

NYUAD welcomes candidates who have already demonstrated a strong research record as well as those who show the potential to develop one.

The advertisement does not specify minimum publication counts, journal rankings, citation requirements, or external funding thresholds.

2. Teaching

The appointed faculty member will contribute to Political Science teaching at NYU Abu Dhabi.

The position involves educating students within the University’s internationally diverse liberal arts and research environment.

The source does not specify a numerical teaching load, required course titles, or a particular undergraduate teaching assignment.

3. Student Mentoring

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to student mentoring.

NYUAD seeks candidates who demonstrate the ability or potential to support students’ academic and intellectual development.

4. Academic Community and Collaboration

The appointed faculty member will join NYUAD’s multidisciplinary academic community.

The University values scholarly excellence, effective teaching, inclusion, mutual respect, and contributions to its international research environment.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Political Science or a Related Field

Applicants must hold a PhD in Political Science or another related field by 1 August 2027.

This requirement permits candidates who have not yet completed their doctorate at the time of application, provided they meet the specified degree-completion deadline.

The advertisement does not define an exhaustive list of acceptable related disciplines.

Research Record and Potential

Candidates should demonstrate:

• A strong record of scholarship; or
• The potential to develop a strong record of scholarship.

This distinction is particularly relevant to early-career applicants who are still establishing their publication records.

Teaching and Mentoring

Applicants should demonstrate teaching and mentoring ability or potential.

The source does not specify a minimum number of years of university teaching experience.

Preferred Research Interests

NYUAD particularly welcomes candidates with research interests involving:

• MENA.
• South Asia.
• The environment.
• Artificial intelligence.

These interests are preferred, not required.

The search remains open-field, and candidates working in other Political Science areas are encouraged to consider applying.

Academic Rank and Appointment

The position is advertised at the rank of Assistant Professor on a tenure-track basis.

It is described as a junior faculty search.

The advertisement does not invite applications for Associate Professor or Full Professor ranks.

The anticipated appointment and relocation to Abu Dhabi will take place during the 2027–2028 academic year, subject to budget approval.

Working at NYU Abu Dhabi

NYU Abu Dhabi describes a comprehensive benefits package intended to support faculty and academic staff throughout their academic careers.

Benefits highlighted in the advertisement include:

• A generous relocation allowance.
• Educational assistance for eligible dependants.
• Access to health and wellness services.
• Support for ambitious research projects.
• Support for innovative and interactive teaching approaches.
• Attention to the needs of dual-career families.

The University also provides opportunities for research collaboration and academic engagement within its international network.

Further institutional information is available at:

https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en

The advertisement does not specify an annual salary amount or the monetary value of individual benefits.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following materials through Interfolio:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. Cover Letter.
3. Teaching Statement.
4. Research Statement.
5. Recent teaching evaluations, if available (optional).
6. Up to five representative publications or other writing samples.
7. Names and email addresses of three referees.

Each referee will be contacted through Interfolio to upload their reference.

Applications and supporting materials may not be submitted by email.

Applicants should follow the document submission requirements provided by the official Interfolio listing.

Application Deadline

30 November — year to be confirmed

The source states that applications close on November 30 but does not explicitly identify the calendar year.

The advertised PhD completion deadline is 1 August 2027, and the anticipated appointment is during the 2027–2028 academic year.

Applicants should confirm the application deadline year on the official Interfolio vacancy page.

Anticipated Start Date

The University anticipates that the successful candidate will begin the appointment and relocate to Abu Dhabi during the 2027–2028 academic year.

The appointment is subject to budget approval.

The advertisement does not specify a particular appointment commencement day.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

NYU Abu Dhabi is an equal-opportunity employer.

The University welcomes applications from qualified candidates who can contribute to its research, teaching, and academic community.

NYUAD emphasises inclusion, belonging, dignity, mutual respect, and non-discrimination.

In accordance with UAE regulations, Emirati candidates are encouraged to apply.

This does not restrict eligibility to Emirati nationals.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Interfolio, NYUAD’s designated application platform for this position.

Email applications are not accepted.

Applicants should locate the corresponding official Interfolio vacancy and submit all required documents before the confirmed closing date.

Political Science Programme:
https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/academics/undergraduate/majors-and-minors/political-science-major.html

NYU Abu Dhabi Website:
https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/

The position-specific Interfolio application URL was not included in the supplied advertisement and should be confirmed before publication.

Job Summary

Field	Details
Employer	New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
Country	United Arab Emirates
City	Abu Dhabi
Division	Social Science
Academic Programme	Political Science
Job Title	Assistant Professor of Political Science
Academic Rank	Assistant Professor
Appointment Type	Tenure-track
Search Scope	Open-field junior faculty
Primary Discipline	Political Science
Preferred Regional Interests	Middle East and North Africa; South Asia
Preferred Research Topics	Environment; Artificial Intelligence
Required Qualification	PhD in Political Science or a related field
PhD Completion Deadline	1 August 2027
Research Expectations	Demonstrated strong scholarship or potential to develop a strong research record
Teaching Expectations	University teaching and student mentoring
Teaching Load	Not specified
Minimum Experience	No specific number of years stated
Salary	Not specified
Benefits	Relocation allowance, educational assistance for dependants, health and wellness services, research and teaching support
Anticipated Start	Academic year 2027–2028
Appointment Condition	Subject to budget approval
Required Documents	CV, cover letter, teaching statement, research statement, up to five publications/writing samples, three referee contacts
Optional Document	Recent teaching evaluations
Application Platform	Interfolio
Email Applications	Not accepted
Application Deadline	30 November 2026
Eligibility Note	Emirati candidates encouraged; applications welcomed from all qualified candidates
Programme Website	https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/academics/undergraduate/majors-and-minors/political-science-major.html