Director of the Materials Research Center | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

The Materials Research Center (MRC) at American University of Sharjah (AUS), United Arab Emirates, invites applications for a full-time faculty Director position. The successful candidate will have a specialization in a relevant field of materials science or engineering, broadly defined and will hold a faculty appointment in one of the relevant departments. The Director will report directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Infrastructure and collaborate with the university leadership to align the center’s activities with institutional and national priorities.

The MRC at American University of Sharjah is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary research and education in advanced materials. Its primary mission is to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and operational support for the design, synthesis, and testing of advanced materials. Serving as a core facility, the MRC specializes in advanced materials characterization and fabrication, combining cutting-edge equipment, technical expertise, and comprehensive research support. The Center extends its resources to both academic and industrial partners, offering access to high-end instrumentation and training programs that enable impactful, cutting-edge research.

The MRC’s research areas encompass materials synthesis and metallurgy, focusing on the design and testing of novel materials—including metals, metal alloys, composites, and functional organic and inorganic compounds—using advanced synthesis techniques. Another critical area of expertise involves imaging and characterizing materials' microstructures, chemical compositions, and defects using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and spectroscopy. This research aims to correlate structural features with material properties to optimize performance. Additionally, the Center conducts precise material processing using lasers, including laser bonding and additive manufacturing techniques. Experimental research is supported by design and modeling capabilities that employ multiscale approaches to predict and optimize material properties, enabling the development of materials with tailored functionalities.

The Center is equipped with an array of advanced facilities, including fabrication laboratories featuring high-power femtosecond and nanosecond lasers, 3D printers, and equipment for coatings, spectroscopy, and thermal treatments under vacuum or inert atmospheres. These resources enable the synthesis of nanostructures, composites, alloys, and thin films with superior electrical, wetting, mechanical, magnetic, and optical properties. The materials characterization laboratories house tools such as physical property measurement systems (PPMS), UV-VIS-NIR spectrometers, Raman microscopes, scanning electron microscopes (SEM) with EDX/EBSD detectors, X-ray diffractometers, multifunctional scanning probe microscopes (SPM), confocal microscopes, surface profilers, electrochemistry stations, Micro-GC, dynamic mechanical analyzers (DMA), and universal load frames for static and dynamic testing. Additionally, the chemical analysis and synthesis laboratories feature instruments like FTIR, UV-VIS, ICP-OES, BET, and GC-MS.

MRC is actively engaged in cutting-edge research across various fields. Notable projects include the use of ultrafast lasers for advanced material processing, such as developing sensors, catalysts for clean energy solutions, and nanostructured surfaces for environmental and biomedical applications. In functional organic polymers and composites, the Center focuses on porous materials for environmental remediation, energy storage, and public health, with innovations such as self-disinfecting fibers and sensors for detecting contaminants. Research on shape memory alloys (SMAs) for MRI applications explores alloys with superconductivity and enhanced mechanical properties. The MRC also advances metal 3D printing technologies, particularly for aerospace applications, through innovations such as lightweight honeycomb structures and the integration of carbon nanotubes into metal feedstocks to improve performance and reduce energy requirements.

Faculty Director candidates must hold a PhD or equivalent in a relevant field at the time of appointment. The candidate must demonstrate a record of excellent academic and research leadership, and ideally possess significant administrative experience in managing interdisciplinary research centers or academic units.  The Director may be expected to teach courses in their area of expertise and contribute to curriculum development in relevant programs. They will also mentor graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, guiding their academic and professional growth. Strong interpersonal skills and experience in strategic planning are essential to effectively lead the center and foster collaboration within and beyond the university.

AUS is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in its research and educational ecosystem. Candidates from underrepresented groups and those with a demonstrated commitment to building and sustaining an inclusive environment are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

As an institution based on the American model of higher education and with English as the medium of instruction and the workplace, AUS prioritizes candidates with significant experience in similar educational systems. Interested applicants should fill out the form.

The complete application will include the following documents, uploaded in separate files: a letter of application, curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, and evidence of prior research leadership experience.  

The deadline for submitting applications for this position is March 1, 2025.

Situated near Sharjah International Airport in the expansive University City area, and only 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport, AUS is located in a dynamic and cosmopolitan area that includes abundant opportunities for travel, entertainment, cultural experiences and natural beauty. Salary and benefits are competitive and include a comprehensive package that covers housing, healthcare, education allowances for dependents and annual airfare, ensuring a supportive and comfortable relocation experience for the candidate and their family.

American University of Sharjah is a not-for-profit, independent, coeducational institution of higher education formed on American models but thoroughly grounded in Arab culture. AUS offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 6,300 students from approximately 90 nations. AUS has been ranked among the top 10 Arab universities by QS World University Rankings every year for the past 10 consecutive years.

AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. AUS has been accredited in the United States of America by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 USA) since June 2004.