Open Rank Faculty Position in Clinical Psychology – American University of Sharjah

Job Description

The Department of Psychology at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) invites applications for an open-rank faculty position in Clinical Psychology, with an anticipated start date of August 2027. A later start date may be negotiated.

The position is based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Position Type: Open rank, full-time; part-time may also be considered
Application Review Begins: January 15, 2027
Expected Start Date: August 2027

About the Position

The successful candidate will play a leading role in establishing AUS’s planned Master’s Degree Program in Clinical Psychology, which is expected to admit its first cohort in Fall 2028.

The appointee will become a founding member of the programme faculty and contribute to the development of a practice-oriented, evidence-based graduate degree combining:

• Clinical psychology coursework.
• Supervised clinical experience.
• New technologies in clinical training.
• Cross-cultural clinical competence.
• Attention to the cultural and linguistic context of psychological practice in the UAE and wider region.

The planned programme is intended to become the first master’s degree programme in Clinical Psychology in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Cross-Cultural Clinical Psychology

A defining focus of the planned programme will be cross-cultural clinical competence.

AUS notes that much of the existing evidence base in clinical psychology was developed using Western, English-speaking populations, while the UAE has a highly multicultural and multilingual population.

The programme will therefore train students to:

• Evaluate psychological assessment instruments across cultural contexts.
• Adapt and validate assessment tools for non-Western populations.
• Evaluate and adapt psychological interventions.
• Work effectively across cultures and languages.
• Consider religious and cultural traditions in clinical practice.

Candidates with research or clinical experience involving the cultural adaptation of psychological assessments and interventions are particularly encouraged to apply.

Key Academic Responsibilities

The successful candidate will contribute to:

• Designing the curriculum for the planned master’s programme.
• Establishing placement partnerships with mental health services in Sharjah and across the UAE.
• Teaching undergraduate and graduate Clinical Psychology courses.
• Supervising student clinical work, where appropriately licensed.
• Maintaining an active programme of research.
• Supporting programme development and accreditation.
• Working closely with the Department Head and programme planning committee.

The successful candidate will also be eligible to apply for the position of Programme Director.

Two Candidate Profiles

AUS welcomes applications from candidates fitting either of two profiles.

Academic Clinical or Counseling Psychologists

Candidates may hold a PhD or PsyD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology and demonstrate a strong research and publication record.

Appointments may be made at the level of:

• Assistant Professor.
• Associate Professor.
• Professor.

These faculty members are expected to contribute to academic leadership and graduate research supervision.

Practicing Clinical or Counseling Psychologists

Candidates may also be practicing clinical or counseling psychologists holding a PhD or PsyD who:

• Hold a licence to practise psychology in the UAE, or
• Are eligible to obtain the appropriate UAE licence.

Candidates should verify their licensing eligibility with the relevant UAE health authority before applying.

Practicing psychologists should bring relevant supervisory experience.

Appointments may be made at the level of:

• Assistant Professor.
• Associate Professor.
• Professor of Practice.

The rank and terms of appointment will reflect the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a closely related field.
• A record of, or clear potential for, excellence in graduate-level teaching.
• Commitment to research, teaching, and service appropriate to the academic rank sought.
• Fluency in English, which is the language of instruction.

Preferred Qualifications

AUS particularly welcomes candidates with:

• A current licence to practise psychology in the UAE or eligibility to obtain one.
• Experience supervising trainee clinicians in health-service settings.
• Experience designing, launching, or accrediting graduate Clinical Psychology programmes.
• Research or clinical experience with:
  • Internet-delivered psychological interventions.
  • Simulation-based clinical training.
  • Cultural adaptation of psychological assessment instruments.
  • Cultural adaptation of psychological treatments.
• Proficiency in Arabic.
• Experience in American-style higher education.

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About the Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology currently offers:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
• Minor in Psychology.

The Department is expanding and conducts research across areas including:

• Clinical and counseling psychology.
• Cognitive psychology.
• Cultural psychology.
• Psycholinguistics.
• Social psychology.
• Work and organizational psychology.

Research infrastructure includes:

• Five laboratory spaces for research involving human participants.
• A research participation pool supported by Sona Systems.
• Dedicated technical and administrative support.

The planned Clinical Psychology master’s programme will be the Department’s first graduate programme.

About American University of Sharjah

American University of Sharjah is an independent, non-profit, coeducational university operating within an American-style higher education model.

AUS has a diverse community of more than 6,000 students representing over 100 nationalities, with English used as the language of instruction and the workplace.

The university is located in Sharjah’s University City, adjacent to the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park.

AUS states that successful faculty candidates are offered compensation commensurate with experience, together with benefits including:

• Free housing.
• Paid utilities.
• Other applicable faculty benefits.

The university is licensed and its programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

AUS has also been accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since June 2004.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum vitae in PDF format.
• A letter explaining:
  • Their interest in the position.
  • Which of the two candidate profiles best describes their background.
  • Where applicable, their current UAE or international licensure status and eligibility for UAE licensing.
• Names and contact details of three referees.

Application Timeline

Review of applications will begin on:

January 15, 2027

Applications will continue to be considered until the position is filled.

Applicants should verify all vacancy information, professional licensing requirements, and application instructions through the official American University of Sharjah recruitment page before applying.