Established in 1951 and ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide*, Australia’s University of Wollongong is a global brand with international campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

University of Wollongong Dubai (UOWD) offers over 40 internationally recognised bachelor and master degrees spanning 10 in-demand industry sectors. All of our degree courses are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and licensed by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), as well as being recognised by leading professional organisations such as AACSB, ACCA, ACS, CIM, CIPD, CPA, Engineers Australia, PMI, and others.

The first internationally accredited Australian university in the UAE, we are the education gateway of choice for over 3,500 students, representing 100+ nationalities. Our global community of 152,000 alumni are pursuing career goals with respected blue-chip companies and industry giants such as 3M, ADCB, Adidas, Amazon, Deloitte, Emirates, FedEx, GE, IBM, Microsoft and Pepsico. Additionally, research reveals that 83%** of fresh graduates are employed within six months of graduation.

Life at UOWD is rooted in the continued pursuit of excellence through teaching, research and industry engagement, with the student experience at its heart. Our 200,000-square-foot campus at Dubai Knowledge Park features access to cutting-edge technologies and a mix of traditional and innovative learning spaces, all housed in a vibrant modern setting that promises to deliver an enriched learning experience for our students. Located strategically near the Palm and the Burj Khalifa, the University benefits from the huge investment and innovation opportunities the city is known for globally.

*QS World University Rankings 2024
**Data from the Graduate Destination Survey 2017 to 2021

UOWD has two media programs – an Undergraduate – Bachelor of Communication and Media (BCM) and a Postgraduate – Master of Media Design (MMD).

The BCM program was established in 2019 and has experienced strong and steady growth since the initial launch. This program offers students four specializations: 1) Digital & Social Media; 2) Visual Communication Design; 3) Screen Media Production; and 4) Marketing, Communication & Advertising. First and foremost, the BCM program is a process based, media making and media design program. The focus is on pairing theory and critical thought with practice-based, media making work – the here and now, while at the same time preparing students for future careers in media and the creative industries.

The MMD program has recently undergone significant restructuring in terms of content and focus in order to address the needs of students and professionals facing an ever-changing industry and innovative emerging media practices.

These programs follow the approach of teacher as facilitator, rather than teacher as lecturer. Courses are designed and taught as a collaborative experience between facilitator and student. This process-based, facilitator approach to teaching and learning is expected from all faculty members.

Both programs are fully accredited by the Ministry of Education in U.A.E. and in Australia. We have a good relationship with the home campus and are now finding opportunities to collaborate globally with Australia and two other campuses. In addition, we have recently moved to a brand-new campus with the latest technology and classroom design for student centered learning. This position is a key hire and the candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the development and ongoing growth of both BCM and MMD programs.

The School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Health and the Media department is currently seeking a qualified and motivated Assistant Professor in either Media Studies/Digital Media or Visual Communication Design to join us in September 2025. The successful candidate will either teach Media Studies related courses OR Visual Communication courses at the undergraduate level, but will also have the opportunity to teach in the Master of Media Design Program.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience teaching a range of media subjects, including, but not limited to, courses in Digital Media, Social Media, Media Studies OR Visual Communication Design. All Media subjects at UOWD are project based, meaning the final output for each subject is an original project created by the student. All Media subjects at UOWD are also theory based, meaning students don’t make projects just to make projects, they make projects with meaning, purpose, and social utility. Many media subjects at UOWD make use of Social Media in the teaching & learning process, as well as the assessment process, so candidates are expected to have experience using these teaching tools. Proficiency with digital design software and applications, including Adobe Creative Cloud, AI applications, and others, is essential and expected from all applicants.

Candidates are expected to have an approach to teaching that is student-centered, with a focus on designing subjects that are project-based and an approach to projects and media making that is process-focused instead of outcome-focused.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and Teach subjects in the realm of Media Studies, Digital Media OR Visual Communication Design to Undergraduate students and Postgraduate students as assigned by the Program Director and Head of School

• Advise and mentor students

• Contribute to the development and growth of the programs at both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate level

• Be research active – this can mean publishing papers in journals, presenting at conferences, or creating/sharing creative/project based research

• Contribute to department related media projects, such as videos, podcasts or other productions

• Participate in departmental and university service, including committee work, industry outreach and community outreach

Required Qualifications

• PhD or MFA in Digital Media, Media Studies, Graphic Design, or Visual Communication Design.

• Minimum 4 years’ experience teaching Media studies/Digital Media subjects OR Visual Communication Design subjects at the Bachelors level or above

• Proficiency with digital design software and applications, including Adobe Creative Cloud, AI applications, and others

• Experience teaching in a studio/lab setting, utilizing emerging technologies and tools, emphasizing creative practice, design, and experimental techniques/processes

The successful candidate will enjoy interaction with a professional dynamic team of highly respected educators from 35 different countries and exposure to students from over 120 nationalities.

The University offers an expatriate package which is an attractive tax-free salary. The expatriate package includes six weeks of paid leave per year, private medical insurance for employee and eligible dependents, life and disability insurance and education allowance for dependents. The University is located in Knowledge Village, Dubai and has excellent teaching, learning and research facilities as well as a Library that meets international standards.

UOWD is an equal opportunity employer that attracts, develops, motivates, empowers, and retains a diverse workforce.