Job Overview: Full Professor in Media Production & Storytelling

Zayed University (ZU) , a leading federal institution in the UAE, is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader for the rank of Full Professor in Media Production and Storytelling . As a senior faculty member in the College of Communication and Media Sciences, you act as the “Creative Architect,” responsible for the “Narrative DNA” of the next generation of content creators, filmmakers, and digital journalists. This position is designed for an “Innovation Specialist” who can navigate the complexities of multi-platform storytelling, visual aesthetics, and media criticism with “Technical Accuracy.” You will be a vital engine of the university’s media initiatives, ensuring that student productions scale with the “Pristine Quality” required for the international stage.

Key Information

Employer: Zayed University (ZU)
Location: Dubai / Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Rank: Full Professor (Assistant and Associate also considered)
Start Date: August 2026 (Academic Year 2026–2027)
Education: Terminal Degree ( MFA or PhD ) from a QS Ranked University
Focus: Media Production, Film, Broadcasting, and Journalism

Key Responsibilities

You will manage the “Creative Lifecycle” through a high-stakes academic and professional framework:

Instructional Orchestration: Teaching core and advanced courses in media writing, video/audio production, and visual storytelling at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Narrative Governance: Leading the “Media Production and Storytelling” concentration, ensuring the curriculum reflects global digital trends and “Multi-platform” agility.
Creative Intelligence: Conducting high-impact scholarly research or creative endeavors (film, documentary, digital media) with a track record of Scopus-listed publications .
Student Mentorship: Advising students and supporting the Student Film Festival and the international chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) .
Curriculum Architecture: Developing new courses that integrate Media Law, Ethics, and Applied Research into a modern production workflow.
Outreach Diplomacy: Engaging with the local and international media industry to foster community partnerships and student placement opportunities.

Candidate Requirements and Skills

Zayed University seeks a “Versatile Content Authority” with a focus on creative grit:

Academic Pedigree: A terminal degree ( MFA or PhD ) in Media, Film, or Journalism from a top-tier QS Ranked University .
Professional Mastery: Desirable experience in broadcasting, studio work, and professional digital storytelling.
Research Stature: An established track record of excellence in teaching and a strong portfolio of peer-reviewed publications or recognized creative works.
Technical IQ: Knowledge of social/digital media, entrepreneurship, and creative software is highly beneficial.
Operational Grit: Ability to serve on college-wide committees and manage the administrative duties of a senior faculty role.
Communication Polish: Exceptional public speaking skills and the ability to teach Applied Media and Communication Research .

Salary and Benefits

This role offers a premier “Senior Faculty” rewards package in a tax-free environment:

Financial Integrity: Competitive tax-free salary (Estimated AED 38,000 – AED 52,000 per month for the Full Professor rank).
Housing & Relocation: Comprehensive housing allowance or provided accommodation, plus relocation grants.
Family Support: Premium health insurance and significant educational allowances for children in UAE private schools.
Long-term Security: Annual business-class air tickets for the family and UAE end-of-service gratuity.
Creative Ecosystem: Access to state-of-the-art production studios, equipment, and internal research/creative grants.

Market Context: Media Production in UAE 2026

In 2026, as Dubai serves as the “Global Content Hub,” Media Professors are the “Architects” of the regional narrative:

Medium	Core Competencies	Industry Impact
Video/Film	Visual Storytelling	High (Streaming/Cinema)
Audio/Podcast	Narrative Immersion	Rising (Digital Growth)
Social/Digital	Platform Optimization	Critical (Brand Identity)

Unique Job Description

Position: Professor of Media Production — Engineering the Future of Global Narratives

Are you a “Creative Specialist” who believes that the success of a modern media ecosystem is built on the precision of its storytelling? Zayed University is seeking a Full Professor of Media Production and Storytelling to join our elite faculty in Dubai . We don’t just “teach filming”; We engineer the Narrative Frameworks and Digital DNA that allow stories to flourish across every platform. This is not a role for a “traditional academic”; it’s a mission for a “Visual Architect” —someone who can navigate the complexities of media criticism and multi-platform production with “creative grit” and provide the professional polish that our international-standard college demands.

In this position, you are the pilot of our students’ creative potential. You will spend your semesters (starting in August 2026 ) architecting the films, documentaries, and research papers that define our reputation for excellence. Whether you are using your technical mastery to lead our student film festival or utilizing your mentorship skills to guide an SPJ chapter, your “proactive mindset” and “excellence-first” attitude will be our greatest assets. You thrive in an environment where you are trusted to redefine the media landscape, challenged by the fast-moving world of digital content, and rewarded with a lucrative, tax-free career at a premier federal university.

We are looking for proactive scholars with a passion for creative excellence and an “impact-first” mindset. If you have the “resourcefulness” to hit the ground running and the “discipline” to uphold our gold standards, Zayed University offers you a premier platform to reach your potential. Join us in Dubai, and let’s engineer a more extraordinary and connected future for the world of media together.

Zayed University (ZU), Dubai

The Company

Founded in 1998 and named after the UAE’s Founding Father, Zayed University (ZU) is a flagship government-supported institution and a national leader in educational innovation. By 2026, it has solidified its position as a “Future-Ready Hub,” ranking #23 in the Arab region and maintaining a strong global presence in the QS World University Rankings (#595) . Originally established to empower Emirati women, the university has evolved into a co-educational powerhouse with a student population of over 10,000+ . It is renowned for being the first federal university in the UAE to receive international accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (USA) .

Culture

The culture at Zayed University is defined by “Timeless Values and Digital Disruption.” It is an environment that honors the legacy of Sheikh Zayed while aggressively pursuing 21st-century technological mastery. Key cultural pillars include:

“Innovation-Driven Inquiry”: A culture that moves away from traditional rote learning towards Interdisciplinary Studies , encouraging students to solve “unscripted” real-world problems.
National Pride & Global Outlook: A dual-spirit environment where local Emirati traditions are celebrated alongside a massive international faculty (ranked #10 globally for International Faculty Ratio ).
Agility & Resilience: A 2026 strategic mandate to produce “Thinkers and Doers,” focusing on self-management, adaptability, and high emotional intelligence (EQ) in the face of rapid AI-driven change.
Empowering Leadership: A campus life that prioritizes student agency, supported by a robust Center for Student Success and a “Student First” administrative philosophy.

Location

Zayed University’s Dubai campus is a marvel of modern, sustainable architecture located in the city’s primary academic corridor:

Main Campus: Located in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) , Al Ruwayyah, covering a vast 70-hectare site.
Architectural Landmark: The campus is famous for its iconic undulating roof structure , designed to represent the desert dunes and provide natural shade, housing state-of-the-art convention centers and auditoriums with capacities up to 1,000.
Strategic Connectivity: Located just 7-10 minutes from Dubai Silicon Oasis and Silicon Central Mall , it is easily accessible via the Al Ain – Dubai Road (E66).
The Convention Center: A premier destination for national and international academic gatherings, seminars, and high-profile government events, integrated directly into the campus fabric.

Zayed University: 2026 Academic & Strategic Matrix

Faculty Pillar	Core 2026 Focus Areas	Strategic Career Alignment
Interdisciplinary Studies	Hybrid majors (Business + Tech).	Versatile roles in the “Gig Economy.”
Technological Innovation	Cyber Security, Digital Transformation.	Powering the UAE’s Digital Twin initiatives.
Business (AACSB)	Finance, HR, Marketing & Entrepreneur.	Aligned with D33 Economic Agenda .
Communication (ACEJMC)	Media Production, Strategic PR.	Leaders in the “Global Media Hub” vision.
Humanities & Social Sci.	Diplomacy & International Affairs.	Critical for UAE’s growing global diplomatic role.

2026 Professional DNA & Institutional Standards

Future Skills Mandate: Under its “Strategy 2026,” ZU has integrated four skill categories into every degree: Basic Application, Complex Competencies, Personality Traits (Resilience), and Specialized Subject Knowledge.
Research Intensity: Classified as “High” in research intensity by QS, with a 2026 focus on Sustainability, AI Ethics, and Social Impact research that supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals.
Placement & Career Catalyst: The Student Careers and Alumni Department utilizes a “Life-Long Pathway” model, providing CV audits, interview simulations, and direct networking with top-tier private sector firms under the NAFIS initiative.
Smart Campus Ecosystem: Fully digitized operations from 2026 onward, featuring paperless administration and AI-driven “Predictive Analytics” to support student retention and academic performance.

To apply for this job please visit www.zu.ac.ae.