Artistic Research Specialist

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A cultural institution in the UAE is seeking a seasoned research leader to advance its research culture and creative legacy. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping research initiatives across arts-based methodologies. Responsibilities include mentoring faculty, overseeing archival practices, and fostering national and international collaborations. A Ph.D. and seven years of relevant experience are essential. This role offers a tax-free salary and various benefits, including private medical insurance and educational allowances.

Benefits

Tax-free salary

Private medical insurance

Annual return ticket

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years of experience in higher education or cultural institutions, focusing on research leadership.
• Experience working closely with Library and Archive teams for collection development.
• Strong knowledge of international intellectual property rights standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver long-term research plans integrating arts-based methodologies.
• Mentor faculty and postgraduate students on research design and ethics.
• Collaborate to align research initiatives with the strategic goals.

Skills

Arts-based research methodologies

Adult-learning theory

Archival practices

Digital publishing

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in performing arts

Job description

Overview

Responsible for advancing the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy’s research culture and creative legacy, working closely with the MFA Programme Leaders, the Dean of Music and the Research Committee.

Full‑time position starting 22 January 2026, closing 15 January 2026.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver long‑term research plans that integrate arts‑based methodologies and practice‑led inquiry across SPAA’s academic and artistic programmes.
• Contribute to the development and oversight of research programmes at master’s and doctoral levels.
• Build and sustain national and international institutional networks, initiating and developing joint research activities.
• Identify research opportunities and prepare funding applications to governmental agencies, international organisations, industry partners and philanthropic sources.
• Mentor faculty and postgraduate students on research design, ethics and dissemination, emphasizing adult‑learning principles and reflective practice.
• Oversee and maintain the Academy’s physical and digital archives to ensure preservation and accessibility of creative works and performance‑based materials.
• Collaborate with the MFA Programme Leader, the Dean of Music and the Research Committee to align research initiatives with SPAA’s strategic goals.
• Facilitate training and workshops on arts‑based research, adult‐learning theory (adragogy) and archival practices for faculty, staff and students.
• Assist in the development of research and archival policies that meet international standards and ethical guidelines.
• Encourage cross‑disciplinary collaborations that bridge practice, theory and community engagement in the performing arts.
• Document, archive and disseminate research outcomes through academic journals, performances and public exhibitions.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in performing arts, arts education, cultural studies or a related field with a strong research component.
• Minimum seven years of experience in higher education or cultural institutions, focusing on research leadership, arts‑based inquiry or creative practice.
• Demonstrated expertise in arts‑based research methodologies, including practice‑led research.
• Proven experience in adult‑learning theory (adragogy), curriculum development or facilitation for adult learners.
• Substantial experience in archival practices, including digital archiving, metadata standards and performance‑based material preservation.
• Experience working closely with Library and Archive teams to support collection development, preservation and access workflows.
• Proven experience in digital publishing, including preparation, curation and dissemination of digital research outputs or creative works.
• Commitment to preserving and honouring traditional performing arts while embracing innovative research methods.
• Strong knowledge of international intellectual property rights standards relevant to performing‑arts materials.
• Familiarity with global archival standards (ISAD(G), Dublin Core, OAIS) and metadata frameworks.
• Experience developing or implementing digital‑archiving workflows, including digitisation, file‑management systems and long‑term preservation strategies.
• Ability to ensure copyright compliance and ethical handling of sensitive or rights‑restricted materials within an academic or cultural‑heritage environment.
• Willingness to engage with local and regional cultural communities and support SPAA’s mission to document and promote the performing‑arts heritage of Sharjah and the UAE.
• Strong communication, organisational and project‑management skills.
• Capacity for collaborative work across disciplines and cultures in a dynamic academic environment.
• Passion for mentoring emerging artists and researchers.

Benefits

Tax‑free salaries paid monthly in UAE dirhams; private medical insurance; residency visa; annual return ticket; education allowance and return tickets for eligible dependents.

Application Process

All candidates must undergo a comprehensive background screening and police check before final employment offers are made.