100000005517.Research Lead

Qatar Foundation International; Qatar; On-site; QAR 450,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Mujadilah Center in Qatar seeks a senior research leader to shape and drive its Islamic studies program. You will oversee a research team, set annual themes, and ensure rigorous, publishable outputs aligned with institutional priorities.

The role requires a PhD (preferred), 6–8 years of experience, a strong publication record, Arabic proficiency, and mastery of research tools. You will build partnerships, present findings to diverse audiences, and mentor early-career researchers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies, Theology, or Social Sciences; PhD preferred.
• 6–8 years of relevant full-time work experience, with 2 in a supervisory role.
• Publications in peer‑reviewed journals and conference presentations in Islamic studies.
• Strong research skills and ability to work independently.
• Excellent writing and communication for scholarly outputs and presentations.
• Proficiency in Arabic essential; classical Arabic preferred; fluency desirable.
• MS Office, academic databases, and digital research tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Center's research agenda aligned with institutional priorities.
• Supervise the research team in organizing and completing research tasks.
• Develop annual planning of research themes, initiatives, and outputs.
• Verify overall quality, relevance, and impact of research initiatives.
• Research and drive original, high-impact research in Islamic studies.
• Adhere to academic rigor, ethical compliance, and publication standards.
• Develop innovative research initiatives and translate strategy into programs.
• Mentor and coach research staff, fellows, and junior researchers.
• Facilitate a collaborative and high-performance research culture.
• Advise across projects and provide technical guidance.
• Develop partnerships with leading academic institutions and think tanks.
• Represent the Centre at forums and disseminate research through publications and events.
• Oversee use of non-staff and project funds and coordinate research operations.

Skills

English scholarly writing

Arabic proficiency

Leadership

Research skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies/Theology/Social Sciences

PhD preferred

Tools

MS Office

Academic databases

Digital research tools

Job description

Key Result Areas:

• Develop and implement the Center’s research agenda aligned with institutional priorities
• Supervise the research team in organizing and completing research tasks.
• Develop annual planning of research themes, initiatives, and outputs.
• Verify overall quality, relevance, and impact of research initiatives.
• Research and drive original, high-impact research in Islamic studies that deepens Al-Mujadilah’s intellectual mission and builds our local and international intellectual community.
• Adhere to academic rigor, ethical compliance, and publication standards.
• Develop innovative research initiatives, translating Al-Mujadilah’s strategic vision into dynamic programs to benefit our communities.
• Mentor, and coach research staff, fellows, and junior researchers.
• Facilitate a collaborative and high-performance research culture.
• Advise and provide technical and intellectual guidance across projects.
• Develop and nurture strategic partnerships with leading academic institutions and think tanks worldwide, fostering collaborative inquiry and meaningful knowledge exchange.
• Represent the Centre with distinction at internal and external forums, presenting research findings to academic, professional, and public audiences with clarity and conviction.
• Implement dissemination of research through publications, social media and events.
• Supervise research initiatives, planning, and utilization of non-staff and project funds.
• Follow-up on coordination of research operations, initiatives, events, and logistics.
• Facilitate grant applications and funding opportunities.
• Facilitate Collaboration with internal teams to integrate research outputs into programs and initiatives.
• Advise on evidence-based decision-making and institutional learning.
• Other reasonable tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Islamic Studies, Theology, or Social Sciences, (PhD is preferred).
• 6-8 years of relevant full-time work experience, 2 of which are at a supervisory level. Institutional leadership experience is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrated track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, and contributions to the scholarly literature in Islamic studies.
• Strong research skills and the ability to work independently.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to produce compelling scholarly outputs, research reports, and presentations for both academic and general audiences.
• Excellent supervisory and mentorship skills, with a genuine commitment to developing early-career researchers and fostering a collaborative, intellectually stimulating research environment.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to draft and edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in Arabic is essential; command of classical Arabic is required, Fluency in spoken Arabic is highly desirable..
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, academic research databases, and relevant digital research tools.