Associate Professor or Professor in Special Education

About the company

Sharjah Education Academy invites applications for a full-time associate professor or professor in special education.

Your tasks

We are seeking an accomplished academic with an established record of teaching excellence, research achievement, and academic leadership to contribute to the continued development of our academic programmes and research activities.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative academic environment focused on preparing educational professionals to support learners with disabilities and diverse learning needs across educational settings.

The post holder will contribute to the design, delivery, evaluation, and continuous enhancement of academic programmes in special education, ensuring that teaching and professional preparation are informed by current research, evidence-based practices, inclusive pedagogies, and the evolving needs of schools and learners.

The role will involve teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervising and mentoring students, and contributing to curriculum development and programme review.

The post holder will also be expected to strengthen SEA’s research profile through high-quality scholarly publications, externally funded research, and collaboration with academic and professional partners.

In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to the Academy’s academic life through programme leadership, academic governance, accreditation, quality assurance, and institutional development. Building strong relationships with schools, educational support services, government entities, professional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders will be an important aspect of the role, supporting collaborative research and the translation of evidence into effective educational practice.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to the advancement of special education, inclusive education, disability studies and strengthening support for learners with diverse educational needs in the UAE and the wider region through research, consultancy, professional development, and engagement with the education community.

Requirements

You will be an accomplished academic with an earned PhD in special education or a closely related discipline relevant to the position such as inclusive education or disability studies and a strong academic background in the field.

You will have a record of university-level teaching, curriculum development, and student supervision, together with the ability to prepare and support professionals working with learners with disabilities and diverse educational needs.

You will demonstrate a sustained record of scholarly research and publications in reputable, internationally recognized, Scopus-indexed journals. You will also be able to demonstrate research quality and impact through your scholarly contributions, relevant research metrics, and experience in developing collaborative research projects. Experience in securing competitive external research funding will be an advantage.

Candidates must have an academic record commensurate with appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor. Applicants for the rank of associate professor or professor should demonstrate a sustained record of research excellence, academic leadership, and significant scholarly and professional contributions appropriate to professorial appointment.

You will also bring the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and external partners, contribute to academic programme development and quality enhancement, and support the Academy’s strategic priorities. Experience in international research collaboration, interdisciplinary projects, accreditation, and institutional development will be particularly valuable.

Excellent proficiency in English is essential, while proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable given SEA’s bilingual academic and professional environment.

• Doctoral qualification: An earned PhD in special education or a closely related discipline relevant to the position such as inclusive education or disability studies.
• Academic background: A bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in special education or a closely related field relevant to the position.
• University ranking: A PhD awarded by a university ranked among the top 400 institutions in the latest applicable QS World University Rankings.
• Academic appointment: A record of academic achievement appropriate to appointment at the rank of associate professor or professor.
• Research and publications: A strong record of scholarly publications in reputable, Scopus-indexed journals, demonstrating research quality, productivity, and impact.
• Teaching excellence: Demonstrated experience in university-level teaching, curriculum development, and the preparation of professionals to support learners with disabilities and diverse educational needs.
• Student supervision: Proven experience in, or demonstrated capacity for, supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, appropriate to the academic rank.
• Academic and professional engagement: Evidence of collaboration with educational institutions, schools, educational support services, professional organizations, or relevant government and community partners.
• Experience in externally funded research, a strong research profile evidenced by appropriate metrics such as the H-index, international collaboration, and academic programme leadership will strengthen an application.

What we offer

SEA offers a competitive employment package commensurate with academic rank and relevant experience.

How to apply

Applicants should submit the following documents

• Cover letter outlining their suitability for the position and their contributions to teaching, research, and academic leadership.
• Detailed curriculum vitae should include:

• Academic qualifications: Academic qualifications, academic appointments, teaching experience, research interests, publications, research grants, student supervision, and professional engagement.
• Research profile: Scopus-indexed publications, research impact, relevant bibliometric indicators, and externally funded research projects.
• Teaching statement: Teaching philosophy, approach to student learning and supervision, and a list of courses previously taught.
• Professional references: Contact details for two academic or professional referees who can comment on the applicant’s qualifications and suitability for the position.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview as soon as practicable.

Early applications are encouraged. Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled, unless otherwise specified in the official vacancy listing.

To apply: Please submit the complete application package through the designated SEA recruitment channel or as instructed in the official vacancy listing.

Other

Additional note Candidates must hold an earned PhD at the time of application. Applications that do not meet the essential qualification requirements may not be considered.