Dean of Research

Sharjah Education Academy; Sharjah; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Sharjah is seeking a Dean of Research to provide strategic leadership for research initiatives. The role requires a PhD and a strong track record in research, particularly in education-related fields. The successful candidate will promote a research culture, oversee funding and partnerships, and enhance institutional effectiveness. Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English is preferred, along with experience in the UAE/GCC region.

Qualifications

• Strong research track record, ideally in quantitative/mixed method education related research.
• Proven ability to lead teams and provide strategic direction.
• Experience in budget management and resource allocation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Academy's research strategy.
• Monitor and evaluate research quality across the Academy.
• Secure local and international research funding and partnerships.
• Oversee higher degree by research (HDR) programs.
• Facilitate cross‑institutional collaboration to enhance research impact.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication

Management

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

The Dean of Research is a new senior leadership position within the Sharjah Education Academy. The purpose of the position is to provide leadership to shape and guide SEA’s research strategy.

The Dean of Research will ensure that the Academy’s research is rigorous, socially relevant, and regionally transformative.

The role is one of three Dean positions (Dean of Research, Dean of Education, Dean of Continuous Professional Learning) reporting to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and will work collaboratively with other senior administrators and academic leaders to develop and implement the Academy’s research strategy and plan, build research capability across the institution and establish a strong, distinctive doctoral program. The incumbent will be an established and dynamic academic leader with a distinguished track record in research leadership in an education‑related field.

The Dean of Research will play a pivotal role in driving SEA’s impact on education transformation nationally and within the GCC region. Experience in the UAE/GCC region and bilingual proficiency (Arabic and English) will be highly regarded.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Research strategy and leadership: Develop and execute the Academy's research strategy, promote a strong research culture, and increase research activity and performance in the Academy’s core area of focus.
• Research quality: Develop, monitor and evaluate research quality across the Academy.
• Capability building: Lead the development and implementation of research capability and doctoral supervision programs aligned to international good practice.
• Funding and resource management: Secure local and international research funding and partnerships to drive the Academy’s Strategic vision and plan, manage research budgets, and oversee grant submissions and research project proposals.
• Postgraduate research: Oversee higher degree by research (HDR) programs, coordinate admissions, and support research capability building programs for staff and students.
• Collaboration and partnerships: Facilitate cross‑institutional collaboration, and build relationships with industry, government, and other external stakeholders to enhance research impact.
• Institutional effectiveness: Coordinate with other Academy leaders to align research initiatives with institutional planning and to measure and report on research outcomes.
• Representation and advocacy: Represent the Academy on research‑related committees and at national and international forums.

Required Qualifications And Skills

• Academic credentials: A PhD in a relevant field to the Academy’s work and a strong research track record, ideally in quantitative/mixed method education related research.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with institutional priorities.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead teams and provide strategic direction.
• Communication: High‑level interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills and experience leading initiatives with diverse stakeholders.
• Management: Experience in budget management and resource allocation.

Preferred Skills And Expertise

• Languages: Bilingual (Arabic/English)
• Local knowledge: Relevant experience in the UAE/GCC region.

Application Process

Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit the following in PDF only:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Please submit these documents to [e-mail]