Open-Rank Applied AI Teaching Faculty | MBZUAI

Job Description

The Division of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) invites applications for Open-Rank Teaching Faculty positions within its Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence program.

The programme serves mid- to senior-level career professionals, and the role requires strong engagement with industry, applied artificial intelligence, innovative teaching, and real-world business challenges.

Faculty members will deliver high-quality education, supervise industry research projects, engage with external partners, continuously develop programme curricula, and support students in applying advanced technologies to practical problems.

Employer: Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
Division: Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Program: Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Position: Open-Rank Teaching Faculty
Field: Applied Artificial Intelligence
Open Date: 9 October 2026
Application Deadline: 30 June 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Applied AI Teaching Faculty – Position Overview

The successful faculty members will contribute to the delivery and continued development of MBZUAI’s Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence programme.

The position combines:

• Graduate-level teaching.
• Applied Artificial Intelligence.
• Industry engagement.
• Curriculum development.
• Student mentoring.
• Industry research project supervision.
• Business-focused AI applications.
• External partnerships.
• International cooperation.
• University service.

The programme is specifically designed for mid- to senior-level professionals, making industry experience particularly important.

Teaching Applied Artificial Intelligence

Faculty members will deliver courses within the Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence programme.

The position requires the ability to provide:

• World-class education.
• High-quality student experience.
• Innovative approaches to teaching.
• Applied and industry-relevant learning.
• Advanced technology applications.

Teaching should connect contemporary AI developments with practical business and organisational challenges.

Teaching Mid- to Senior-Level Professionals

The programme is designed for mid- to senior-level career professionals.

Faculty members should therefore be able to teach experienced professionals and connect academic concepts with:

• Industry applications.
• Organisational challenges.
• Business problems.
• Advanced technologies.
• Practical decision-making.

Industry Experience

Industry experience is an important component of the position.

Candidates should be able to apply advanced technologies to solve real business challenges and contribute practical industry perspectives to the programme.

Knowledge of the business environment in:

• The United Arab Emirates.
• The wider Gulf region.

is preferred.

Industry Engagement

Faculty members will engage directly with industry to strengthen the programme and its relevance.

Responsibilities include:

• Identifying innovative industry projects.
• Building relationships with industry partners.
• Supporting industry-connected learning.
• Liaising with external organisations.
• Connecting students with real-world AI challenges.

Industry Research Projects

The successful candidate will supervise students’ industry research projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Advising students.
• Supervising applied research.
• Supporting project development.
• Liaising with industry partners.
• Ensuring projects contribute to programme learning outcomes.

Curriculum Development

Faculty members will contribute to the continuous development of the programme curriculum.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining academic rigour.
• Ensuring industry relevance.
• Incorporating current AI developments.
• Updating teaching approaches.
• Connecting curriculum content with practical applications.

Guest Lecturers and Industry Experts

Industry engagement also includes identifying and sourcing:

• Industry experts.
• Qualified guest lecturers.

These contributors will help connect students with current professional practice and emerging developments in Artificial Intelligence.

Student Research Support

Faculty members will support students in their research projects and provide academic guidance throughout their studies.

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in:

• Mentoring graduate students.
• Supporting applied research.
• Helping students connect research with industry challenges.

Artificial Intelligence and Business Applications

The position places particular emphasis on applying advanced technologies to real business challenges.

Faculty members should be able to connect AI with:

• Business applications.
• Industry needs.
• Organisational transformation.
• Technology implementation.
• Practical problem-solving.

Scientific and Industry Developments

Faculty members are expected to remain current with developments in:

• Artificial Intelligence.
• Applied AI.
• Advanced technologies.
• Relevant scientific research.
• Industry practices.

This knowledge should inform both teaching and programme development.

Research and Innovation

Applicants should demonstrate excellence in:

• Innovative research.
• Impactful research.
• Advanced technology applications.

The role provides opportunities to contribute to MBZUAI’s wider research and innovation environment.

University Service

Faculty members will contribute to the wider work of MBZUAI by:

• Representing the institution.
• Participating in appropriate committees.
• Participating in University groups.
• Contributing to academic and institutional activities.

Societal and International Engagement

The role also includes:

• Following scientific developments in the field.
• Participating in societal interaction.
• Contributing to international cooperation.
• Engaging with professional and academic communities.

Preferred Academic Qualification

Applicants would preferably hold a:

• PhD in Computer Science or a closely related area prior to the start of the appointment.

Alternative Qualification Route

Applicants holding an:

• MS degree in a closely related area

may also be considered when they demonstrate:

• Strong teaching records.
• Industrial experience.

Research and Applied Technology Experience

Candidates should demonstrate excellence in:

• Innovative research.
• Impactful research.
• Applying advanced technologies to real business challenges.

Graduate Student Mentoring

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Interest in mentoring graduate students.
• Ability to support applied research projects.
• Commitment to student development.

UAE and Gulf Business Knowledge

Knowledge of the business environment in:

• The United Arab Emirates.
• The Gulf region.

is preferred for this appointment.

Why Join MBZUAI?

MBZUAI provides an academic and research environment focused on advancing Artificial Intelligence through education, research, innovation, and collaboration.

The University highlights:

• Competitive salaries aligned with leading global academic institutions.
• Research funding.
• Academic freedom.
• Resources supporting AI innovation.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Relocation support for international faculty.
• Advanced AI laboratories.
• High-performance computing.
• Industry collaboration.
• Government collaboration.

Industry and Government Collaboration

Faculty members have opportunities to engage with:

• Leading technology firms.
• AI researchers.
• Government organisations.
• Policymakers.
• Industry partners.

These relationships support the programme’s focus on real-world applications of Artificial Intelligence.

Recommended Professional Development

🎓 Recommended Course: Machine Learning Specialization

The Machine Learning Specialization from DeepLearning.AI and Stanford Online provides structured learning in core machine-learning methods that underpin many contemporary applied Artificial Intelligence solutions.

It may be particularly relevant to AI educators, graduate instructors, industry professionals, researchers, and candidates working at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and real-world business applications.

👉 Explore the Machine Learning Specialization on Coursera

Affiliate disclosure: Arab Academic Jobs may receive a commission if you enroll through this link, at no additional cost to you.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

• Cover Letter.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Statement of teaching philosophy and experience.
• Reference letters or names and contact details for three referees.

Referees will be contacted during the recruitment process to upload their reference letters through Interfolio.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

30 June 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Job Summary

Employer	Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
Division	Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Program	Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence
Location	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Position	Open-Rank Teaching Faculty
Field	Applied Artificial Intelligence
Primary Audience	Mid- to senior-level career professionals
Preferred Qualification	PhD in Computer Science or closely related area
Alternative Qualification	MS in closely related area with strong teaching record and industrial experience
Industry Experience	Required by the nature of the appointment
Preferred Regional Knowledge	UAE or Gulf business environment
Core Responsibilities	Teaching, curriculum development, industry engagement, student mentoring and industry research project supervision
Research Expectation	Innovative and impactful research and application of advanced technologies to business challenges
Industry Engagement	Industry projects, partner liaison and sourcing guest lecturers
Open Date	9 October 2026
Application Materials	Cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy/experience statement and three referees
Application Deadline	30 June 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time