Professor of Sociology

Roles and responsibilities

The College of Humanities and Sciences, Ajman University, has an opening for the position of Assistant/Associate Professor in Sociology, starting Spring semester 2024-2025.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• The applicant must have a PhD from an accredited university in the United Arab Emirates.
• The applicant must have at least (3) years of experience in teaching in an academic institution applying the credit hour system.
• The applicant should have published papers in journals within the global databases (Scopus).
• The applicant must be fluent in both Arabic and English (Arabic is a must).
  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and deliver courses to students in specified discipline areas of study, considering and aiming to achieve the three (3)
• Fundamental standards of the University, those are: Teaching, Research and services
• Evaluate and monitor individual student progress and provide feedback to sustain student success.
• Research, organize and manage instructional resources, courses outlines, and community networks.
• Actively seek out methods, procedures and resources to best achieve course objectives.
• Support and participate in accreditation initiatives.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
  

Skills Required:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
• Ability to work effectively with a multiple diverse community.
• Ability to create, compose and edit written materials.
• Program planning and implementation skills.
• Knowledge of computerized student information systems

Desired candidate profile

1. Expertise in Sociology

• In-Depth Knowledge: Mastery of various subfields of sociology (e.g., social theory, research methods, criminology, inequality, social change, family, race and ethnicity, gender studies, etc.).
• Current Trends and Theories: Keeping up-to-date with the latest developments, trends, and emerging theories in the field of sociology.
• Specialization: Often, full professors have a particular area of specialization or focus, such as quantitative or qualitative research, social policy, urban studies, or global sociology.

2. Research Skills and Academic Scholarship

• Research Leadership: Leading and conducting independent, original research that contributes to advancing the field of sociology. This includes formulating research questions, designing studies, analyzing data, and drawing meaningful conclusions.
• Publication: Publishing scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, books, or edited volumes. A full professor is typically expected to have an extensive publication record that demonstrates significant contributions to sociological knowledge.
• Grant Writing: Securing research funding through competitive grants, which is often essential for sustaining research programs and projects.
• Critical Thinking and Analysis: Applying critical thinking skills to assess, interpret, and analyze complex social phenomena.

3. Teaching and Mentorship

• Course Development and Delivery: Designing and delivering high-quality, engaging courses that cover foundational and advanced topics in sociology. This may include undergraduate, graduate, and even doctoral-level courses.
• Pedagogical Skills: Utilizing a variety of teaching methods (lectures, seminars, discussions, case studies, etc.) to cater to diverse learning styles and help students grasp complex sociological concepts.
• Student Supervision: Mentoring graduate students, supervising their research projects, theses, and dissertations, and guiding them through the academic development process.
• Feedback and Evaluation: Providing constructive feedback on students’ work, encouraging academic growth, and fostering critical thinking and independent analysis.

4. Leadership and Service to the Academic Community

• Institutional Service: Contributing to the development of the academic institution through participation in committees, faculty meetings, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Departmental Leadership: Taking on leadership roles within the department, such as chairing or coordinating committees, managing programs, or leading curriculum development.
• Professional Service: Serving on editorial boards for academic journals, organizing conferences, or participating in professional associations, thereby contributing to the broader academic community.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engaging in collaborative research with scholars from other disciplines, as sociology often intersects with fields like political science, psychology, economics, and anthropology.

5. Communication Skills

• Public Speaking: Delivering lectures, presentations, and speeches to students, colleagues, and at conferences, often in front of large audiences.
• Academic Writing: Writing clear, concise, and persuasive research papers, articles, and books for academic audiences.
• Grant and Proposal Writing: Writing grant proposals to secure funding for research projects and institutional development.

6. Mentoring and Guidance

• PhD Supervision: Supervising PhD students, helping them develop their research questions, methodologies, and academic writing.
• Career Development: Providing advice and support to junior faculty, helping them navigate their academic careers, research agendas, and professional development.
• Advising Students: Offering guidance to undergraduate and graduate students regarding course selections, career paths, and research opportunities.