Open-Rank Faculty Position: Geography and Planning
About SUAD
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) is a leading international higher education institution established in partnership with Sorbonne University in Paris. The University delivers high-quality academic programs rooted in the French higher education tradition, while adapting course content and formats to meet the needs of the dynamic and multicultural environment of the United Arab Emirates.
SUAD offers undergraduate and graduate programs across a range of disciplines.
Research is a core pillar of SUAD’s mission. Through institutional initiatives, the SAFIR Institute, and active research centres, the University advances responsible and interdisciplinary research aligned with global academic standards and regional priorities. SUAD fosters local and international collaboration and promotes knowledge transfer through a diverse academic community and strategic partnerships.
About SUAD-ZMU
As part of a strategic academic collaboration, SUAD delivers selected academic programs at the campus of Zayed Military University (ZMU). Through this partnership, SUAD provides internationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs that combine academic rigor with applied learning.
Teaching and research activities conducted at the ZMU campus adhere to SUAD’s academic standards, quality assurance frameworks, and pedagogical approaches.
Positions based at ZMU usually require a strong on-site presence and active engagement with students, colleagues, and institutional partners.
Position Description
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi invites applications for an open-rank faculty position in Geography and Planning, based at the Zayed Military University (ZMU) campus.
Both early-career and senior candidates are encouraged to apply. The University is seeking a candidate with a primary specialization in Physical Geography, combined with a broad and solid grounding in the discipline in order to teach foundation-year courses beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year.
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in Geography and Planning within SUAD programs delivered at ZMU. Courses are taught in English and include lectures, tutorials, and supervision of student projects and introductory research work.
Key Accountabilities
- Teaching. Student Support and Academic Advising.
- Academic and Administrative Service.
- Research activities (except where appointment is strictly at Lecturer level, in which case research expectations are limited).
Minimum Qualifications, Experience, and Requirements
- PhD in Geography, Planning, Physical Geography, or Environmental Geography from an accredited higher education institution.
- Professional proficiency in English is mandatory. IELTS certification or equivalent qualification is an asset.
- Capacity to supervise and mentor students in research methods, project planning, and academic writing.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural academic environment.
- Knowledge of Arabic and/or French is considered an asset. Demonstrated teaching experience in higher education.
- Proven ability to design and deliver undergraduate-level courses.
- Advanced pedagogical skills and proficiency in educational technologies and online learning platforms are considered an asset.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- A cover letter addressing their expertise and alignment with SUAD’s vision.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
- A personal statement outlining: Teaching experience, Teaching style and philosophy, Engagement with research and future research plans (if applicable).
- Up to three publications representative of the applicant’s research profile and ambitions (if applicable).
- Recent teaching evaluations (if available).
- Contact details for three professional references (email address and phone number required), including at least one referee able to specifically address the candidate’s teaching quality.