Job Overview: Professor of Economics (Open-Rank)

This is an elite “Academic Leadership” role within the Economics Program at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) . As a Professor of Economics , you act as a “Strategic Architect” of the Division of Social Science, which is currently ranked among the top economics departments in Asia. This position is designed for a “Distinguished Scholar” —with a strong preference for senior candidates—who can navigate the complexities of high-impact research, global network collaboration, and advanced pedagogy with “Analytical Accuracy.” You will be a primary engine of the university’s research enterprise, ensuring that NYUAD’s scholarly output continues to scale with the “Pristine Quality” required to address humanity’s shared global challenges.

Key Information

Employer: New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
Location: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Start Date: September 1, 2026
Rank: Open-Rank (Tenured or Tenure-Track)
Teaching Load: Standard load of three courses per year
Focus: All areas of Economics with an active, outstanding research record

Key Responsibilities

You will manage the “Scholarly Lifecycle” through a globally-integrated academic framework:

Research Orchestration: Conducting and publishing groundbreaking research in high-quality, internationally refereed journals.
Pedagogical Governance: Delivering world-class undergraduate and potentially graduate instruction within a diverse, intercultural liberal arts environment.
Strategic Leadership: Contributing to the growth and reputation of the Economics program through departmental service and internal collaboration.
Mentorship Intelligence: Supervising student research, providing the “Intellectual Grit” required to prepare the next generation of global leaders.
Institutional Diplomacy: Actively engaging with NYU’s Global Network (New York and Shanghai) to foster cross-campus research and teaching initiatives.
Fund Stewardship: Managing generous start-up and ongoing research funds to drive innovative projects and lab-based inquiries.

Candidate Requirements

NYUAD seeks a “World-Class Authority” with a focus on professional grit:

Academic Pedigree: A Ph.D. in Economics from a premier international institution.
Scholarly Stature: An outstanding research record; Senior candidates must demonstrate global leadership in their specific field of expertise.
Instructional IQ: Proven excellence in teaching within a rigorous, fast-paced academic environment.
Collaborative Mindset: Eagerness to contribute to a multidisciplinary Social Science division and a highly diverse campus community.
Methodological Mastery: Advanced skills in theoretical or empirical economic analysis, supported by a strong publication history.

Salary and Benefits

This role offers a premier “Global Elite” rewards package in a tax-free environment:

Financial Integrity: A highly competitive, tax-free salary (Estimated $250,000 – $350,000+ USD for senior ranks, based on global peer benchmarking).
Research Architecture: Generous start-up packages and significant ongoing research support.
Housing & Relocation: Comprehensive housing subsidies and a relocation allowance to ensure a seamless transition to Abu Dhabi.
Family Support: Significant educational subsidies for children and premium global health insurance.
Network Mobility: Opportunities for cross-campus mobility and collaboration across NYU’s worldwide network.

Market Context: Economics at NYUAD 2026

In 2026, as NYUAD marks its place as a top-tier research hub, the Economics program serves as the “Analytical Engine” of the region:

Faculty Rank	Research Focus	Institutional Impact
Assistant Professor	Emerging High-Impact Data	Growth & Innovation
Associate Professor	Specialized Field Leadership	Peer Mentorship
Full Professor	Global Strategic Vision	Departmental Prestige

Unique Job Description

Position: Professor of Economics — Engineering the Frontiers of Global Knowledge

Are you a “Distinguished Specialist” who believes that the solution to humanity’s most pressing challenges is built on the precision of economic analysis? NYU Abu Dhabi is seeking a Professor of Economics (Open-Rank) to join our world-ranked faculty in the Division of Social Science . We don’t just “teach classes”; we engineer the Theoretical Frameworks and Analytical DNA that allow global markets and societies to Flourish . This is not a role for a “traditional academic”; it’s a mission for a “Visionary Architect” —someone who can navigate the complexities of internationally refereed research and intercultural leadership with “scholarly grit” and provide the professional polish that our global network demands.

In this position, you are the pilot of our research mission on Saadiyat Island. You will spend your semesters (starting in September 2026 ) architecting the publications, grant-funded projects, and specialized courses that define our reputation for excellence. Whether you are using your analytical mastery to publish in top-tier journals or utilizing your mentorship skills to guide the best and brightest students from 120+ countries, your “proactive mindset” and “excellence-first” attitude will be our greatest assets. You thrive in an environment where you are trusted to push the frontiers of knowledge, challenged by a dynamic and diverse campus, and rewarded with a lucrative, tax-free career at a premier American research university abroad.

We are looking for proactive economists with a passion for scholarly excellence and an “impact-first” mindset. If you have the “resourcefulness” to lead high-level research and the “discipline” to uphold NYU’s global standards, NYUAD offers you a premier platform to reach your potential. Join us in Abu Dhabi, and let’s engineer a more extraordinary and connected future for the world of economics together.

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)

The Company

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a pioneering liberal arts and research university that forms a vital part of NYU’s global network, alongside New York and Shanghai. Established in 2010 in partnership with the Abu Dhabi government, it has rapidly become a world-class institution. By 2026, NYUAD is ranked as the #1 globally ranked university in the UAE (as part of NYU, top 31 worldwide) and holds the top spot in the country for high-impact scientific research publications. It is a highly selective “Honors College” where students from over 120 countries pursue 26 undergraduate majors and several elite Global PhD Fellowships, benefiting from a staggering 95% post-graduation placement rate .

Culture

The culture at NYUAD is defined by “Radical Diversity, Intellectual Rigor, and Global Citizenship.” It is an intentionally small, high-touch community where the “World meets in Abu Dhabi.” Key cultural pillars include:

“Exceptional People” Focus: A culture that seeks the “best and brightest,” boasting a faculty that includes 4 Nobel Laureates and a student body with more Rhodes Scholars per capita than nearly any other institution.
Liberal Arts Core: A belief in multidisciplinary inquiry, where engineers take theater and historians study data science to foster a “Structures of Thought” mindset.
Global Mobility: A culture of constant movement, with the January Term (J-Term) and study-away semesters allowing students to learn in over 16 global sites across six continents.
Service and Responsibility: A strong emphasis on giving back to the local UAE community through hundreds of community-based engagements and regional seminars.

Location

NYUAD’s award-winning, 40-acre pedestrian campus is a landmark of Saadiyat Island , Abu Dhabi’s premier cultural district.

Architectural Identity: Designed by the world-famous Rafael Viñoly , the campus reflects three identities: Abu Dhabi, New York, and the World. The Central Plaza (Sexton Square) serves as the heart of campus life.
Integrated Living-Learning: The campus is structured so that residential, academic, and research spaces are interconnected, with features like the Experimental Research Building (ERB) and the High Line -inspired walkways.
Cultural Hub: It houses The Arts Center and the NYUAD Art Gallery , which serve as public gateways for the Abu Dhabi community to experience world-class performances and museum-quality exhibitions.
Athletic Excellence: Boasts elite facilities, including a 50m indoor pool, indoor/outdoor tracks, and specialized fitness centers catering to a highly active student body.

NYU Abu Dhabi: 2026 Academic & Global Matrix

Operational Pillar	2026 Key Statistics / Features	Strategic Value
Global Network	16 Sites (NY, Shanghai, London, etc.)	Seamless international academic mobility.
Research Output	#1 in UAE (Nature Index).	Leading the region in top-tier science journals.
Admissions	~5% Admit Rate (Class of 2026).	One of the most selective colleges globally.
Post-Graduation	65% of graduates remain in the UAE.	Fueling the UAE’s local knowledge economy.
PhD Fellowships	Fully-funded Global PhDs (eg, Computer Science).	Strategic R&D bridge between NY and Abu Dhabi.

2026 Professional DNA & Institutional Standards

The “J-Term” Standard: Every student participates in intensive 3-week courses in January, often involving fieldwork in locations like Al Ain, Ghana, or Florence.
Financial Model: NYUAD is committed to a “Need-Blind” admissions process for Emiratis and offers significant merit and need-based aid for international students, with a total cost of attendance estimated at $87,374 for 2025-2026.
Career Catalyst: Through the CDC (Career Development Center) , students are prepared for “Global Leadership,” resulting in high placement in top-tier consulting, tech, and graduate programs worldwide.
Sustainability: A 2026 focus on “Green Research,” with active projects investigating heat-resilient coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf and local environmental adaptations.

To apply for this job please visit nyuad.nyu.edu.