Assistant Professor

American University of Sharjah; Sharjah; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Sharjah is seeking an Assistant Professor or higher rank in Acting to begin in Fall 2026. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses and serve as Director for all theatre productions. A terminal degree in theatre is required, with preference given to those with experience teaching playwriting and degrees from North American universities. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Abundant cultural experiences

Qualifications

• Three or more years of teaching experience in a university setting is preferred.
• Experience teaching playwriting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Director for all theatre productions.
• Teach undergraduate courses in acting.
• Develop new curriculum as required.
• Engage actively in creative activity and recruitment.

Skills

Leadership

Personnel management

Strong written communication

Strong verbal communication

Creative problem-solving

Education

Terminal degree in theatre (MFA or PhD)

Degree from a North American university

Job description

Performing Arts Program

Job Title: Assistant Professor or Higher Rank in Acting

American University of Sharjah invites applications for an Assistant Professor or higher rank in Acting to begin in Fall 2026. This faculty member will join a small but growing Performing Arts Program. Three or more years teaching in a university setting is preferred. We seek candidates who demonstrate leadership, personnel management, strong written and verbal communication, and creative problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Director for all theatre productions (one each semester)
• Teach undergraduate courses in acting at all levels
• Teach other theatre courses as needed (including Theatre Appreciation)
• Develop new curriculum as required
• Engage actively in creative activity, recruitment, and serve on committees as requested
• Other program duties may be assigned

Qualifications

• A terminal degree in theatre is required (MFA or PhD)
• Experience teaching playwriting is a plus
• Preference given to those who hold at least one degree from a North American university
• Three or more years teaching in a university setting is preferred

The deadline for applications is January 15, 2026. Please send one collated PDF document containing a cover letter (briefly mapping your experience to the responsibilities noted above), a CV that includes all acting courses taught, full list of productions directed, visual portfolio of directed productions, and contact information for three references to: https://acg-apps1.aus.edu/cas/empapp/apply.php?p=PAP-26-02.

About American University of Sharjah

American University of Sharjah (AUS) is a comprehensive, independent, non-profit, coeducational institution of higher education that promotes excellence in teaching, learning, research and creative work. AUS fosters a community that celebrates diversity and whose members are committed to the ideals of open intellectual inquiry, ethical behavior and civic responsibility.

AUS offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 6,000 students from over 100 nations. English is the language of instruction and the workplace. Among the top 18 percent of ranked universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2026), AUS is consistently among the top 10 universities in the Arab region (QS Arab Region University Rankings, 2026).

AUS is located in the heart of Sharjah’s University City, adjacent to the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park and just minutes from Sharjah International Airport and only 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport. The campus is situated in a vibrant and cosmopolitan area offering abundant opportunities for travel, entertainment, cultural experiences and natural beauty. Salary and benefits are competitive.

AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. AUS has been accredited in the United States of America by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 USA) since June 2004. For more information, please visit www.aus.edu.