Job description

Role Title: Assistant Professor in Architecture 

Grade: G7

Salary:  AED 280,000 – 320,000 per annum including accommodation allowance (Depending on Experience)

FTE and working pattern: Full-time (1FTE); 35hrs per week

Contract Type: Teaching and Scholarship

Department: School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS)

Location: Dubai Campus

About Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry. 

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society

Architecture was established as an undergraduate programme in Dubai 2015 in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society. The School is one of the UK’s leaders for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity.

On our Dubai campus we teach civil engineering, architectural engineering, architecture, construction management and quantity surveying.We offer a high quality educational experience underpinned by practical and laboratory teaching, and informed by contact with professional practice.Our degree programmes hold the appropriate accreditation from the relevant professional body.This educational philosophy ensures excellent employment prospects for all of our graduates.

The Architecture Programme

Heriot Watt University has a strong global identity, and the identity of the Architecture programme is forged through its strategic location in Dubai, creating an opportunity for students to study on a recognized UK course while experiencing a global education. The progressive approach of the programme places an emphasis on educating innovative and resilient architecture graduates capable of working as architectural professionals who can both lead and collaborate across teams. 

The UAE is located at a crossroads between east and west and offers students of architecture the opportunity to engage with relevant and challenging global issues that include: designing for climate change, resilient cities, environmental needs, resource shortages, growing population and the UAE’s progressive culture with its emphasis on advanced technologies, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurial culture. The Architecture curriculum is aligned with the criteria set by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for a RIBA Part 1 course.

HWUD Architecture is developing a strong identity as the only RIBA Part 1 accredited programme in Dubai. Starting September 2025 we introduced Master of Architecture aligned with RIBA part 2. The programme has a strong focus on contextual design and addressing contemporary issues. The Architecture team benefits from diverse international staff including practising architects, academics and built environment specialists with excellent links into practice and the profession. The programme as a part of the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society provides students and faculty with opportunities for research and collaborative working. Our programme benefits from close links to architectural practices ensuring the relevance of our teaching and offering exciting opportunities to work in areas relevant to the academic community and employers in the UAE, Gulf region and internationally.

Heriot Watt University is looking to expand our global team of academics working in the field of Architecture and Sustainable Design. Consequently, the School is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in Architecture. The successful candidate will be based in Dubai but will engage with a team that spans our global footprint.

Detailed Description

This is an exciting opportunity to develop a leading role in the development and delivery of innovative teaching and scholarship. Heriot-Watt University is known for its research-informed course delivery and the global multi-campus education it provides.  The successful applicant will have a student-centred approach to pedagogy and curriculum design and will be encouraged to innovate.  
This is an exciting time to join an already successful team. It is expected that the applicant will have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• architectural design

  
  

• digital platforms for design

  
  

• history and theories of architecture

  
  

• sustainable design 

  
  

• construction and technology

  
  

Previous teaching experience and a commitment to the student experience are essential. Evidence of innovation in teaching delivery is desirable. Applicants must also possess demonstrable team working and communication skills. The candidate must hold an internationally recognized post graduate degree in Architecture (RIBA and/or ARB or NAAB or other internationally recognized accreditation).

Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:

Learning and Teaching

• Develop and contribute as required to the delivery of an innovative Postgraduate Master of Architecture (RIBA Part 2) programme and the Undergraduate BA (Hons) Architecture programme, RIBA Part 1 accredited.

  
  

• Contribute to the design and delivery of the curriculum in the programme. Develop and teach several courses appropriate to your area of expertise and as outlined by the programme.

  
  

• Work closely with the Global Head of Discipline for Architecture and the Architecture team to develop the programme and explore new innovative courses and learning and teaching methods as aligned with RIBA Professional Criteria for Validation and the graduate attributes.

  
  

• Design, prepare and develop a range of learning and teaching materials appropriate to the subject area to meet the learning outcomes for those course/s as aligned to the RIBA educational framework.

  
  

• Undertake scholarly activity related to the effective delivery of the curriculum and maintain subject expertise aligned to the latest developments in the field of architecture, technology, and contemporary issues.  

  
  

• Be responsible for providing effective, well documented, and timely feedback, both formative and summative, to students.

  
  

• Contribute to the monitoring of the quality of learning and teaching through course monitoring, contributing to quality assurance across the programme, School and University.

  
  

• Provide appropriate pastoral support recognising the varied cultural backgrounds of the student cohorts.

  
  

• Stay abreast of developments in architecture education and ensure that these developments are reflected in the evolution of the learning and teaching methods employed on the programme;  

  
  

• Work with the team to develop further opportunities for student placements, Internship and student mentoring with the profession that enhances the existing strong industry engagement within the programme;

  
  

• Conduct assessment and moderation across the discipline area, ensuring this is rigorous, fair and clear and undertaken within the policies established by the School and University. 

  
  

Research and Knowledge Exchange

• Carry out self-managed scholarly activity and to make professional contributions to their area of expertise.

  
  

• Continue to develop your professional expertise through CPD and membership of either RIBA/ ARB or International Professional membership.

  
  

• Exhibit design work at exhibitions and end of year shows. Publish student outputs and enter student work for international prizes and awards such as the RIBA President’s Medals.

  
  

• Contribute technical and research expertise where relevant to potential live and research projects.

  
  

Academic Management and Administration 

• Undertake administrative tasks associated with programme planning, preparation for examination and progression boards, course development teams etc.  

  
  

• Provide academic leadership in the key areas of design, construction and technology, representation and history and theories that are the core of the programme course structure.

  
  

• Participate fully in admissions processes, selection and induction of students;

  
  

• Take a proactive role both internally and externally in promoting and marketing programmes of study, ensuring the effective and efficient recruitment of students and the achievement of home and international recruitment targets;  

  
  

• Participate as a member of appropriate committees as required.

  
  

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. 
We will measure applicants based on the essential criteria, not by the key duties. Heriot-Watt Dubai delivers classes during the daytime, evenings and Saturdays. Depending on the schedule for the semester the classes you teach may be in the day, evening or Saturday.

Education, Qualifications and Experience (i.e. Person Specification)
Essential:

1. A post graduate degree in Architecture (RIBA and/or ARB or NAAB or internationally accredited) 

   
   

2. In depth knowledge of your profession and discipline including relevant academic and professional experience 

   
   

3. Evidence of creative design pedagogy and a critical design approach achieved in student outputs (projects, prizes, buildings) and your personal design projects 

   
   

4. Evidence of your ability and experience to teach UG/PG Design Studio and related taught courses.

   
   

5. Evidence of delivering innovation through your teaching /or professional practice, design and technology

   
   

6. Expertise in delivering courses in one additional area including Architectural Representation, History and Theory, Professional Practice and Construction and Technology, Research methods and Sustainability in Design

   
   

7. A good working knowledge of relevant digital technologies (for example, one or more of: Rhino/Revit/BIM/Auto-cad/Grasshopper)

   
   

8. An understanding of the RIBA educational framework and experience of teaching or learning on a RIBA validated course OR international equivalent.

   
   

9. Ability to lead a small team across disciplines, work independently and /or as part of a team

   
   

10. A clear research interest aligned with the programme academic position and the research institutes within the school

    
    

11. Demonstrable oral, drawn representation and written communications skills. 

    
    

Desirable

1. RIBA Part 3 Qualification

   
   

2. PhD or equivalent terminal degree

   
   

3. Fellow of Higher Education Academy

   
   

4. Ability to run a ‘real design student