Assistant Professor in Digital Marketing (Dubai Campus)

Heriot-Watt University; United Arab Emirates; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh Business School in Dubai seeks qualified academics to enhance quality education. Successful candidates will engage in teaching, research, and programme development while contributing to a vibrant academic community. Ideal applicants will possess a PhD, teaching prowess in marketing, and a commitment to innovative learning.

Qualifications

• Proven teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Experience in developing research-rich teaching and managing courses.
• Record of research publications in high-quality journals.

Responsibilities

• Undertake teaching and assessment duties on academic programs.
• Develop relevant materials for courses and support others in course delivery.
• Build and conduct research contributing to the School's research areas.

Skills

Digital Marketing Analytics

Social Media Marketing

Teaching

Communication

Education

PhD or equivalent in appropriate discipline

Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)

Tools

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs)

Job description

School : Edinburgh Business School (EBS)

FTE and working pattern : Full time - 35 hrs per week

Location : Dubai Campus

WHO WE ARE

Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Business School (EBS) is a global leader in high-quality, accessible, practice-oriented business education and research. With campuses in the United Kingdom, Dubai, and Malaysia, we inspire and empower a diverse and inclusive community of students. We partner with businesses and governments to translate knowledge into practice and deliver innovative solutions that improve the world. Our industry-leading research projects in logistics, supply chain management, industrialdecarbonisation, inclusive workplaces, and sustainable capitalism connect across disciplines to address society’s most pressing challenges.

At EBS, we are practical, engaged, connected, and inspired. We foster a community that nurtures collaboration and ambition, and we aim to transform lives andorganisations through our innovative approach to education and research. We pursue excellence through relevance, providing transformative lifelong skills and outcomes for our students. We leverage our vibrant research community, our strategic partnerships, and our talented network of faculty and staff to make a difference and create lasting global change.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

At Edinburgh Business School, we envision a future where our contributions improve the world and leave a meaningful legacy for generations to come. We are eager to welcome faculty and staff who will help us forge the future through groundbreaking research, innovative pedagogy, and dynamic professional services. We are looking for colleagues who :

• Understand and embrace the value of accessible, practice-oriented learning and research.
• Pursue excellence both individually and collectively.
• Know the value of collaboration.
• Are passionate about making a difference.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

At EBS, our pursuit of fairness and inclusivity makes us a destination of choice for academic talent. Our global network, engaged community, receptive leadership, and flexible management allow our people to thrive. We freely foster ambition. We are agile and open-minded. We listen, and we adapt. Through opportunities, support, resources, and recognition, we strive to ensure that every member of staff feels a genuine sense of fulfilment, belonging, and potential. Our collaborative efforts are geared towards our fundamental purpose and drive : at EBS, we make a difference. And we are committed to supporting our people every step of the way.

Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus was first established in 2005. Home to nearly 4,000 students and over 200 staff, it is the largest and most successful international campus in Dubai and has received a 5-star rating from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in each successive year since the ratings scheme’s introduction. In 2024 all our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes were approved by CAA.

About our Dubai Campus

Following the continued growth of student numbers and our imminent campus extension, we are delighted to be expanding the academic team at our Edinburgh Business School Dubai Campus with a number of new roles. We are looking for academics seeking a new challenge and who are passionate about delivering high-quality, accessible, practice-oriented education and research that promotes responsible business.

Edinburgh Business School (EBS) Dubai is the largest of five Schools in Dubai. We are organised into four Departments and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate taught and research degrees across a wide range of discipline areas. We are a global University and this is reflected in the way that we manage our programmes and courses. We are currently expanding our Executive Education provision to organisations throughout region.

Our research groups are actively involved in teaching, research, and consultancy activities across our three campus locations. Our team has a strong commitment to our communities, offering a full range of programmes leading to the awards of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science, and Master of Arts.Our Incubator Centre and diverse professional body and business partnerships confirm our commitment to Dubai’s vibrant business culture, UAE national priorities Strategy and regional start-up eco-system.

Job Description

Due to the continued expansion of student numbers on our Dubai Campus we are looking for highly motivated and qualified academics to join us at an exciting time in our growth. Applicants must have a Doctoral qualification and experience of teaching, research and course management.

Successful candidates will be expected to have published their research in high quality journals and be committed to building their research profile. Successful candidates will also be expected to develop strong links to colleagues at the Edinburgh and Malaysia campuses to deliver high-quality learning and teaching, to contribute to the continued development of the programmes offered to students, and to develop external engagement endeavours in association with the Academic Schools in Edinburgh, Dubai, and Malaysia. Membership of the HEA is also a mandatory requirement to reflect the importance of learning and teaching in our School.

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in digital marketing, with expertise in the practice of digital marketing. They will be able to evidence how they have developed research-rich teaching and integrate professional practice into the classroom. Successful candidates will be expected to undertake supervision of research projects at all levels of study.

It is essential that you are experienced in teaching in the following areas :

• Digital Marketing Analytics
• Social Media Marketing
• Or committed to undertaking comprehensive training to enable teaching it in January 2026

In addition it is essential that you have experience in teaching at least two of the areas indicated below :

• Fundamentals of Marketing
• Marketing Research
• Sustainable Marketing
• International Marketing
• Business Technology
• Contemporary Issues in Marketing

Preference will also be given to those candidates who have experience of working in a UK HE institution with a sound understanding of quality assurance processes.

The successful candidate will need to join us 25th August 2025 .

We have recently updated our induction programme to ensure that new colleagues are provided with appropriate support from day one, additional support is offered to new colleagues who are relocating from outside of the UAE. All our new staff will be allocated a buddy to help them settle into our School. We are passionate about providing CPD opportunities for all our staff through a combination of in-person and online programmes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake teaching and assessment duties on academic programmes. Support colleagues in Edinburgh Business School and other Schools at Heriot-Watt University in the delivery of courses and other activities to support the delivery of HWU's aims.
• Develop relevant materials in appropriate formats for the above programmes.Contribute to the content, design and delivery of the curriculum, and the quality of teaching and learning, in consultation with colleagues and within the international structures and mechanisms established by the University. Review teaching design and delivery by obtaining and analysing feedback from students and peers. Support the accreditation processes of professional bodies.
• Mentor and supervise students, including PhD students, providing effective, well documented and timely feedback, both formative and summative.Provide pastoral support, recognising when to refer a student for further support. Play a key role in the delivery and support of an excellent student learning and living experience at HWU.
• Develop the level of subject expertise in line with the latest development in research, and ensure these developments are reflected in teaching materials and methods.
• Build and conduct research in one or more of the School's research areas at internationally competitive levels.
• Develop and maintain strong links with business and industry, external organisations and the education sector.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in the UK, at other campuses, and with external networks both for the exchange of information, to share learning, and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• Undertake a proactive role in promoting and marketing the University, ensuring the effective recruitment of students and the achievement of recruitment targets. Play a full role in Open Days and other student recruitment events.
• Undertake leadership and administrative tasks associated with programme planning, preparation for examination boards and progression boards, etc, as instructed. Participate in relevant committees. Associate Professors will be expected to undertake additional leadership and management responsibilities
• Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) and participate in staff development activities.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post and its general responsibilities. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and / or priorities and requirements evolve.

Education & Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in an appropriate discipline

Experience

• Digital Marketing Analytics
• Social Media Marketing
• Teaching experience at undergraduate level
• Experience of reviewing and updating teaching materials
• Clear communicator with good presentation skills and the ability to explain concepts well
• Proven track record of research publications in high-quality journals
• Successful completion of funded research and / or knowledge exchange projects
• Experience of working in the UK Higher Education sector
• Fluent in verbal and written English
• Skilled in the use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs)
• Ability to apply research knowledge to teaching materials and methods
• Willingness and potential to develop an independent or collaborative research portfolio
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Areas of Teaching Experience

• Ability to develop and design effective course assessments
• Experience of engaging students through effective pedagogy
• Track record of connecting course content with industry
• Demonstrated expertise in applying analytics to business scenarios

Education & Qualifications

• Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Member of an appropriate professional body

Experience

• Teaching experience at postgraduate level
• Experience of maintaining and developing links with industry
• Experience of academic leadership (e.g., course / programme leadership, curriculum development)
• Experience of developing materials for online programmes
• Participation in Business School accreditations

Areas of Teaching Experience

• Experience of working with global teaching teams
• Evidence of successful new course development
• Experience in new programme development

About the University

With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and professionally relevant, leading-edge research and enterprise, which has made it one of the top UK universities for business and industry.

We are a vibrant, forward-looking university, well known for the quality of our degrees, with employers actively seeking out our graduates.Heriot-Watt is also Scotland’s international university with an unsurpassed international in-country presence. We deliver degree programmes to circa 30,000 students in 143 countries worldwide, have a further overseas campus in Dubai and boast the most significant international student cohort in Scotland.

At Heriot-Watt we’ve created an environment that nurtures innovation and leadership - where our researchers, teachers, staff and students can realise their potential and develop their ambitions.

We are proud of our collegiate atmosphere and integrated teaching and research approach which has helped to build a community of committed academics and highly motivated students. Our focus on careers delivers results and we’ve an excellent reputation for graduate employability.

In addition to the Edinburgh campus, we currently have campuses in the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia. For all our campuses we aim to provide stimulating, supportive environments conducive to effective learning and research, where staff and students can excel. At Heriot-Watt, we have an established set of values that help us to nurture innovation and leadership and show our commitment to continuous improvement and development in all our activities. Our values describe our deeply held beliefs and our community spirit. They characterise not only how we are as a higher education institution but also frame how we want to be.Our values are :

• Belong
• Inspire
• Celebrate