Position Details
School of English, Drama and Creative Studies, University of Birmingham, Dubai campus, Salary: Competitive, Grade: 8 (Spot), No. of positions: 1, Full time, Duration: 3‑year fixed contract (renewable at the University’s discretion), Location: Dubai, UAE, Closing date: 26 May 2026, UK and International travel may be required, Interviews scheduled for 18 June 2026.
About the University
Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we now moved to a new state‑of‑the‑art campus which opened in September 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long‑term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region.
Academic Development Programme
New Assistant Professors will undertake a 5‑year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop.
Role Summary
We seek to recruit a dynamic programme lead for our MA Digital Media and Communications (MA DMC) programme, which will launch in September 2026. The post holder will also contribute teaching to the BA Digital Media and Communications (BA DMC) programme, which launched in September 2025. From our Dubai hub, the post holder will support in‑country transnational education partnerships, requiring business travel and the ability to teach in different contexts.
The post holder will have demonstrable expertise in digital media and communications, including media and globalisation; digital cultures; business communication; media practice; political economy of media and platforms; media and communication research methods (including quantitative methods). The post holder will also possess creative practice skills with experience of app‑based audio‑visual production and editing using software such as Adobe Express, Canva and Dolby On. Candidates with a Marketing and/or legal background who have experience working in this sector would also be eligible to apply.
The post holder will lead and deliver teaching, hold organisational and management responsibilities, and contribute to academic citizenship through engagement with a range of activities that establish the smooth running of the programme and the growth of Digital Media and Communications on the Dubai campus. They will be an active colleague in the Department of Linguistics and Communication at the University’s Birmingham campus, maintaining supportive links and visiting the Edgbaston campus for in‑person scholarly activities.
Main Duties
* Contribute to leading curriculum development and/or renewal
* Develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in the subject area or institution
* Advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment
* Deliver (where appropriate to the discipline) specific professional programmes
* Advance the practice of teaching in modules and within the school, and play an important role in student academic support
* Inform teaching practice by discipline‑based research
* Frequently update subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self‑reflection on own teaching using student and peer review feedback to enhance teaching and learning processes
* Play an important role in the recruitment and admission of students, and co‑supervise doctoral students to completion
Teaching and Advising
* Teaching and examining courses at a range of levels
* Planning and reviewing own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same
* Designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content
* Working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment
* Using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment
* Developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely
* Where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining
* Developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods
* Making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement or similar activities that enhance the student experience or employability and benefit the College and University
* Devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work
Management/Administration
* Contribute to the administration/management of teaching across the Department/School
* Where appropriate, lead and manage a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive)
* Advise on personal development of colleagues and students
* Make a contribution to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups)
* Manage enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities
* Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach
* Promote equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour
Citizenship
* Pursue activities in a way that helps others pursue their activities effectively and efficiently
* Demonstrate willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in recruitment of students, graduation, departmental/school committees)
* Demonstrate support for colleagues by sharing resources, providing advice
* Willingness to volunteer for one‑off duties (e.g., supporting school, institute, and departmental projects)
* Positively engage in school strategic initiatives
* Proactively support and involve in activities that contribute to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University
Person Specification
* A higher degree relevant to the discipline (usually PhD)
* Extensive teaching and scholarship experience at HE level within Digital Media and Communications
* Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning
* Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels
* Ability to play an active role in the development of new modules and programmes
Teaching Competencies
* Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes
* Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues
* Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability
Management / Administration Competencies
* Ability to lead the development of the MA DMC programme on the University of Birmingham’s Dubai campus
* Ability to assess and organise resources effectively
* Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
* Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area
* Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied
* Ability to identify issues with potential to impact protected groups and take appropriate action
* Ability to engage with industry partners in the UAE
* Awareness that the post is based in Dubai but will require significant work‑related travel to participate in scholarly activities and deliver teaching in different contexts
Benefits
In return, you will receive a competitive package and play a key role in the University’s expansion as we enhance our international reputation and global footprint.
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability Statement
We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
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