Senior Researcher, Islamic and Arab Culture (with Curatorial Expertise)

Mohamed Bin Hamad Al-Sharqi Foundation for Cultural Creativity (MHCC); Fujairah City; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious cultural foundation in Fujairah seeks an accomplished Researcher to lead its Research Unit. Candidates must have at least 6 years of experience in cultural research and hold an advanced degree in a relevant field. The role involves conducting comprehensive research, developing thematic narratives, and collaborating with artists to inspire artistic production. Fluency in Arabic and English is essential. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the cultural heritage of Arabic and Islamic arts.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in cultural research.
• Proven ability to curate exhibitions or cultural projects.
• Strong skills in documentation and archival management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive research across manuscripts and visual art.
• Develop central themes relevant to the department’s projects.
• Collaborate with artists to translate research into cultural initiatives.

Skills

Curatorial expertise

Research proficiency

Fluency in Arabic and English

Documentation skills

Collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Islamic Studies, Arab Studies, Art History, Literature, History

Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of experience

Job description

We are seeking an accomplished Researcher with strong curatorial acumen to lead the Research Unit of the Department. The ideal candidate will be a subject-matter expert, adept at deep scholarly research into Islamic and Arab culture, including history, art, poetry, manuscripts, and narratives, and ideally at curating these findings into meaningful narratives and collections that inspire artistic production.

This role requires a professional who can locate and interpret scattered sources, from manuscripts and historical accounts to poetry and artworks, and synthesize them into compelling thematic frameworks (e.g., Bravery, Love, Hospitality, Commoner’s life, etc.). The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating cultural significance, constructing interpretive frameworks, and presenting knowledge in ways that directly inform and inspire artistic creation, exhibitions, and public programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive research across manuscripts, old books, archives, poetry, philosophy, old stories, and visual art from the Islamic and Arab worlds.
• Identify, define, and develop central themes and narratives relevant to the department’s projects to establish clear intellectual frameworks for artistic commissions and programs.
• Collate, synthesize, and interpret research findings into structured thematic categories, narratives, and searchable databases.
• Develop and maintain a knowledge archive that supports both creative production and curatorial programming.
• Conduct curatorial research into central themes and questions relevant to the department’s projects, helping to establish clear thematic frameworks for commissions and artistic programs.
• Collaborate with artists to translate research into artworks, exhibitions, and cultural initiatives.
• Contribute to the conceptualization and curatorial design of exhibitions and programs derived from research themes.
• Ensure scholarly accuracy and authenticity in all sourced and presented materials.
• Monitor and engage with contemporary research, exhibitions, and curatorial practices in Islamic and Arab art and culture.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 6 years’ professional experience in cultural research within an art foundation, museum, gallery, or related institution, with a proven track record of supporting curatorial projects.
• An advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Islamic Studies, Arab Studies, Art History, Literature, History, or a directly related field is preferred. A Bachelor’s degree with demonstrable professional experience exceeding 8 years will be considered.
• Deep, specialized knowledge of Islamic and Arab art, culture, history, and literature, with a proven ability to interpret and contextualize diverse historical sources
• Demonstrated experience in researching (and ideally curating) exhibitions, collections, or cultural projects.
• Proven ability to organize complex research into structured, accessible formats that can be adapted for artistic use.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken).
• Strong skills in documentation, archival management, and database organization.
• A sophisticated eye for relevance, authenticity, and artistic potential in source material.

Personal Attributes

• Passion for cultural heritage and its contemporary reinterpretation through art.
• Intellectual rigor balanced with curatorial creativity.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and resourceful.
• Collaborative and able to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communicator with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and engagingly.