Assistant Professor in Interior Architecture and Design – Dubai Campus

Assistant Professor in Interior Architecture & Design

Grade 7/8 (Dependent on Experience and Qualification)

The Design School at the Dubai campus seeks recruit enthusiastic academics with experience in teaching and scholarship or research.  Successful candidates will be expected to build research over time and showcase innovative teaching pedagogies. Successful candidates will also be expected to develop strong links to colleagues at the Scottish 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 (and as appropriate) with the Academic Schools in Edinburgh, Dubai, Galashiels, and Malaysia.

The successful candidate will possess a broad practical and theoretical knowledge of a range of topics within the spheres of 21^st Century Interior Architecture Design, but we are particularly interested in receiving applications from those candidates with expertise in Net Zero, Sustainable Development Goals, Design Sustainability and Management, Interior Architecture Design and Innovation, Visual Communication, and Design Methods. Proficiency in software, specifically Revit, AutoCAD, 3DMax and working knowledge of Rhino, Lumion will be advantageous.

Postholders will play a key role in connecting with our internal and external stakeholders to embed interior architecture design practices and principles into the curriculum, overseeing the development of industry-facing programmes and the creation of courses to support student employability.

Teaching and scholarship or research should be grounded in 21^st century design studies with appropriate input from historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives. Given the broad, fast-moving, and collaborative nature of today’s industries and associated technologies, we expect the successful individual to design new content and courses proactively, within and across the traditional discipline boundaries. We also expect the successful applicant to cooperatively contribute to teaching existing courses as well as create new ones across the campuses where and as it benefits the student experience.

The role will be based at the University’s campus in Dubai. Courses and programmes will be delivered in English and so fluency in English is essential. An induction programme will be delivered to all new academic staff on Heriot-Watt’s standards and values, and to give practical experience on preparation, delivery, and assessment of teaching.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Undertake teaching and assessment duties on academic programmes.  Support colleagues in the Design 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 future of design as a discipline.  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 (as appropriate), 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 latest development in business enterprise, scholarship, research, and or innovation, and ensure these developments are reflected in teaching materials and methods.
• Build and conduct scholarship or research in one or more of the Design and or Dubai Campus areas at internationally competitive levels.
• Develop and maintain strong links with creative design industries, 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.  Conduct and engage in peer review of teaching and research – locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Undertake a proactive role in promoting and marketing design at 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. Play a full role in research impact, community events and public engagement.
• Undertake leadership and administrative tasks associated with programme and course 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. Associate Professors are also expected to publish and engage in high quality research, submit to the RAE and engage in funded research projects.
• Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) and participate in staff development activities.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

To be considered for the role you will be and established international research leader, with strong funding, publishing and supervisory experience. Critical will be the ambition to build a world-class academic team in Dubai in collaboration with the Head of School in Dubai and the Global Director of Research.

Essential Criteria

• PhD, Master’s Degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline. Teaching experience
• Experience of reviewing and updating teaching materials
• Clear communicator with good presentation skills, explaining concepts well.
• Proven track record of industry engagement
• Well-developed knowledge and understanding of contemporary design practices across the discipline of design
• Research Experience
• Fluent in English (both verbal and written)
• An ability to apply knowledge acquired from professional practices into teaching materials and methods.
• Willingness and potential to identify and develop independent /collaborative portfolio of scholarship.
• Enjoys being part of a dynamic campus, proactively developing the role as the campus grows, willingness to travel overseas if required and willing to take a ‘hands on’ approach from the outset.

Desirable Criteria

• Member of appropriate professional body
• Teaching qualification or in the process of obtaining one or be committed to achieving this within two years of appointment.
• Teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level
• Experience for maintaining and developing new links with industry.
• Strong understanding of industry needs, and the skills required by graduates for employability.
• Evidence of inter-disciplinary practice, flexible in approach with excellent communication, digital literacy, and report writing skills, and be willing to adapt to the duties associated with the role.
• Mentoring and personal tutor experience and PhD supervision
• Sole authored and or co-authored conference papers or journal articles
• Funded research experience – independent and or team based.
• International or national Peer Reviewing of research.