Northwestern University in Qatar Announces Multiple Faculty Job Vacancies
Job Location: Doha, Qatar
Institution: Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q)
Job Type: Full-Time Faculty Positions
Application Priority Deadline: October 15, 2026
Teaching Medium: English
Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) has announced multiple full-time faculty opportunities in Doha across political economy, global media industries, journalism, writing studies, and strategic communication. The vacancies are open to academics and professionals with strong research, teaching, industry, and field experience in areas connected to the Global South.
The university is seeking candidates who can contribute to undergraduate education, future graduate programmes, research, curriculum development, mentoring, and institutional service. The available positions include open-rank faculty appointments as well as an Assistant Professor position.
The current openings include Open Rank Political Economy in the Global South, Open Rank Global Media Industries, Open Rank Journalistic Writing and Reporting, Open Rank Evidenced Based Storytelling and Writing, and Assistant Professor Strategic Communication and Emerging Technologies.
Applications received by October 15, 2026, will receive the highest priority. The university has stated that the recruitment process will continue until the positions are filled or the search is closed.
About Northwestern University in Qatar
Northwestern University in Qatar is a multidisciplinary academic community focused on evidence-based storytelling and education in the Global South. The institution offers education in media arts, sciences and related areas, while also supporting research, teaching, digital innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
NU-Q operates as part of Northwestern University and is one of its three campuses, alongside campuses in Chicago and Evanston. It is also one of the partner universities located within Qatar Foundation’s Education City in Doha.
The university’s academic environment is built around the values of excellence, collaboration, community and sustainability. Its mission includes preparing students to become creative, ethical and impactful communicators who can work across cultural and national boundaries.
NU-Q has approximately 500 students representing around 60 countries, creating an internationally diverse academic community. The university places particular emphasis on research, teaching, student life, undergraduate research and media production, with a strong focus on the Global South.
The institution also provides opportunities for faculty members to collaborate with initiatives such as the Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South, Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab, and Media Majlis Museum.
1. Open Rank Political Economy in the Global South
Job Title: Open Rank Political Economy in the Global South
Location: Doha, Qatar
Department: NU-Q Liberal Arts Program
Position Type: Full-Time Faculty
Northwestern University in Qatar is seeking an outstanding academic for a full-time, open-rank faculty position in Political Economy, to be appointed within the Liberal Arts Program.
The university welcomes scholars whose research examines political economy from critical, global, comparative or transnational perspectives, particularly those whose work engages with the Global South through interdisciplinary approaches.
Areas of Research
Candidates may have expertise in a range of areas, including:
- Critical development studies
- Feminist political economy
- Post-colonial and decolonial political economy
- South-South relations
- Critical political economy of media
- Climate and extractivism
- Labour regimes
- Agrarian political economies
- Politics of debt
Applicants may come from disciplines such as political science, economics, media studies, global studies, sociology, history or anthropology.
Candidates are expected to have linguistic competence and field experience relevant to their area of research.
Academic Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a strong research record appropriate to the academic rank. Candidates who have recently completed a PhD may also be considered based on a highly promising research trajectory.
Faculty members will contribute to undergraduate education and future graduate education, as well as programme development.
Teaching expectations include two courses per semester. Courses may include core disciplinary subjects, electives related to the faculty member’s research interests and courses supporting NU-Q’s wider curriculum.
Faculty may also contribute to courses such as Ways of Knowing, Doha Seminar honours courses, graduate seminars and executive education classes.
There may also be opportunities to teach courses connected to interdisciplinary minors, including:
- Africana Studies
- AI and Media Studies
- Film and Design
- Media and Politics
- Middle East Studies
- Strategic Communication
Faculty members may also collaborate with NU-Q’s research institutes, laboratories and museum.
Candidate Profile
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A strong research record or promising research trajectory
- Commitment to high-quality teaching
- Strong mentoring skills
- Ability to work with global communities
- Commitment to institutional service
- Interest in shared governance
- Linguistic competence relevant to their research
- Field experience in their research area
Experience in US higher education and the Arab region is particularly encouraged.
APPLY NOW
2. Open Rank Global Media Industries
Job Title: Open Rank Global Media Industries
Location: Doha, Qatar
Department: NUQ Communication Program
Position Type: Full-Time Faculty
Northwestern University in Qatar is also recruiting for an open-rank faculty position in Global Media Industries. The appointment will be within the Communication Program, with the possibility of a joint appointment in the Journalism Program.
The university is looking for scholars with active research programmes examining media industries from critical, global, comparative or transnational perspectives.
The position has a particular focus on interdisciplinary approaches to the Global South.
Potential Areas of Expertise
Applicants may specialise in areas including:
- Media history and culture
- Platforms and creator culture
- Media production
- Media distribution
- Media policy
- Regulation
- Media management
- Emerging technologies
- Artificial intelligence and media industries
Candidates should have linguistic competence and field experience relevant to their scholarship.
Teaching and Academic Duties
The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate education, future graduate education and programme development.
The standard teaching expectation is two courses per semester.
Teaching responsibilities may include core disciplinary courses, research-related electives and courses that contribute to NU-Q’s broader curriculum.
The faculty member may also contribute to:
- Ways of Knowing
- Doha Seminar honours course
- Graduate seminars
- Executive education
- Interdisciplinary minors
Potential interdisciplinary teaching areas include AI and Media Studies, Film and Design, Media and Politics, Middle East Studies, Africana Studies and Strategic Communication.
The position also provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with NU-Q’s Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South, Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab and Media Majlis Museum.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have a research record appropriate to the proposed academic rank. Candidates with recent PhDs may be considered if they demonstrate a strong and promising research trajectory.
Applicants should also demonstrate:
- Excellence in teaching
- Commitment to mentoring
- Experience working with diverse global communities
- Commitment to institutional service
- Interest in shared governance
- Linguistic competence
- Relevant field experience
Experience in US higher education and the Arab region is particularly encouraged.
APPLY NOW
3. Open Rank Journalistic Writing and Reporting
Job Title: Open Rank Journalistic Writing and Reporting
Job ID: 54332
Location: Doha, Qatar
Department: NUQ Journalism Program
Position Type: Full-Time Faculty
Northwestern University in Qatar is seeking an outstanding colleague for a full-time, open-rank faculty appointment in Journalistic Writing and Reporting.
The position is particularly relevant to academics and experienced journalists with a strong background in professional journalism production and university-level journalism education.
The university is looking for candidates with demonstrated experience producing professional journalism content across different platforms and a strong record of journalistic production, research or both.
Preferred Academic Background
Preference is given to candidates with a PhD in a relevant field, particularly those with research and publication records focusing on the Global South.
Candidates are expected to have linguistic competence and field experience in their area of scholarship.
Professional journalism experience across different media platforms can be particularly relevant to the role.
Teaching Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to both undergraduate and future graduate education.
Teaching responsibilities will generally involve two courses per semester.
Courses may include journalism-related core subjects, electives connected to the faculty member’s professional or research expertise, and courses serving NU-Q’s broader curriculum.
The faculty member may also contribute to courses such as:
- Ways of Knowing
- Doha Seminar honours course
- Graduate seminars
- Executive education courses
- Interdisciplinary courses
Potential interdisciplinary areas include AI and Media Studies, Film and Design, Media and Politics, Middle East Studies, Africana Studies and Strategic Communication.
Other Responsibilities
Beyond teaching, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to:
- Research
- Student mentoring
- Programme development
- Institutional service
- Shared governance
- Undergraduate research
- Media-making activities
There will also be opportunities to work with NU-Q’s Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South, Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab and Media Majlis Museum.
The university seeks faculty members who can help students develop creative, ethical and impactful communication skills across cultural and national boundaries.
APPLY NOW
4. Open Rank Evidenced Based Storytelling and Writing
Job Title: Open Rank Evidenced Based Storytelling and Writing
Location: Doha, Qatar
Department: NUQ Liberal Arts Program
Position Type: Full-Time Faculty
Another faculty opportunity is available in Evidenced Based Storytelling and Writing within the Liberal Arts Program.
The university is seeking scholars with an active research agenda focused on Writing Studies in the Global South.
Preference is given to candidates whose research focuses on regions including Africa, the Arab world or South Asia, particularly where their work is comparative or transnational.
Areas of Interest
Candidates may have expertise in:
- Rhetoric and composition
- Writing studies
- Second-language writing
- Creative writing
- Comparative writing studies
- Transnational approaches to writing
- Writing and communication in the Global South
The university also values candidates whose research incorporates diverse perspectives.
Applicants may come from rhetoric and composition, writing studies, creative writing or related academic disciplines.
As with the other faculty appointments, candidates are expected to demonstrate linguistic competence and field experience relevant to their research.
Teaching Responsibilities
The successful candidate will teach two courses per semester, primarily within NU-Q’s First-Year Writing seminar.
There may also be opportunities to teach elective courses connected to the candidate’s research interests and contribute to the broader NU-Q curriculum.
Faculty members may contribute to interdisciplinary minors and programmes such as:
- AI and Media Studies
- Media and Politics
- Strategic Communication
- Film and Design
- Middle East Studies
- Africana Studies
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate a research record appropriate to their academic rank or, for emerging scholars with recent PhDs, a strong research trajectory.
Candidates should also demonstrate:
- Excellence in teaching
- Strong mentoring abilities
- Ability to work with global communities
- Commitment to institutional service
- Interest in shared governance
- Linguistic competence
- Relevant field experience
The position provides opportunities for collaboration with NU-Q’s Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South, Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab and Media Majlis Museum.
APPLY NOW
5. Assistant Professor – Strategic Communication and Emerging Technologies
Job Title: Assistant Professor Strategic Communication and Emerging Technologies
Job ID: 54335
Location: Doha, Qatar
Department: NUQ Journalism Program
Position Type: Full-Time Faculty
Northwestern University in Qatar is recruiting an Assistant Professor in Strategic Communication and Emerging Technologies for its Journalism and Strategic Communication Program.
The university is seeking scholars with an active research agenda focused on emerging technologies and their applications to strategic communication.
Areas of interest may include:
- Artificial intelligence
- Virtual reality
- Machine learning
- Emerging communication technologies
- Strategic communication
- Technology-enabled communication practices
Candidates with industry experience combined with a research trajectory based in the Global South will receive priority consideration according to the job announcement.
Academic Requirements
The position is intended for candidates with a highly promising research trajectory emerging from a recent PhD.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong research potential
- Commitment to teaching excellence
- Strong mentoring abilities
- Experience working with global communities
- Commitment to institutional service
- Interest in shared governance
- Linguistic competence
- Field experience relevant to their research
Candidates with experience connecting academic research with industry practice may be particularly suited to the position.
Teaching Responsibilities
The Assistant Professor will be expected to contribute to undergraduate and future graduate education and programme development.
Teaching expectations include two courses per semester.
Courses may include core disciplinary subjects, research-related electives and courses contributing to NU-Q’s wider academic requirements.
The faculty member may also contribute to:
- Ways of Knowing
- Doha Seminar honours courses
- Graduate seminars
- Executive education
- AI and Media Studies
- Media and Politics
- Film and Design
- Middle East Studies
- Strategic Communication
- Africana Studies
The position also offers opportunities to collaborate with NU-Q’s Institute for Advanced Study of the Global South, Artificial Intelligence and Media Lab and Media Majlis Museum.
APPLY NOW
Common Expectations for Faculty Candidates
Across these positions, Northwestern University in Qatar is seeking faculty members who can make meaningful contributions to teaching, research, mentoring and institutional development.
Candidates should be prepared to work in a highly diverse academic environment and engage with students and colleagues from different cultural and national backgrounds.
A strong commitment to teaching and mentoring is an important component of the positions. Faculty members are expected to contribute to curriculum development and participate in the academic life of the university.
The university also expects faculty members to contribute to institutional service and shared governance.
Research and teaching related to the Global South are particularly important across several of the advertised positions.
English as the Medium of Instruction
The medium of instruction at Northwestern University in Qatar is English.
Proficiency in Arabic or another regional language is an advantage, particularly for positions involving research and fieldwork in the region.
Candidates with experience in US higher education and the Arab region are particularly encouraged to apply.
Northwestern University in Qatar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Competitive Salary and Benefits
Northwestern University in Qatar provides competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
The available benefits listed for these positions include:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid medical and sick leave
- Parental leave
- Tuition benefits for employees and dependents
- Pre-tax and flexible spending accounts
- Commuting benefits
- Dependent-care benefits
- Retirement savings options
- Wellness programmes
Eligibility and specific benefits may depend on the position and applicable university policies.
Candidates are advised to review the university’s official benefits information for complete details and eligibility requirements.
Application Deadline
Applications received by October 15, 2026, will receive the highest priority.
The university has stated that the search will continue until the relevant position is filled or the search is officially closed.
Candidates interested in these opportunities should carefully review the requirements for the specific position before submitting an application.
Applicants should ensure that their academic qualifications, research interests, professional experience and teaching background align with the requirements of the position they are applying for.
List of Available Positions
| Job Title | Department | Location | Rank | APPLY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rank Political Economy in the Global South | NUQ Liberal Arts Program | Doha, Qatar | Open Rank | APPLY NOW |
| Open Rank Global Media Industries | NUQ Communication Program | Doha, Qatar | Open Rank | APPLY NOW |
| Open Rank Journalistic Writing and Reporting | NUQ Journalism Program | Doha, Qatar | Open Rank | APPLY NOW |
| Open Rank Evidenced Based Storytelling and Writing | NUQ Liberal Arts Program | Doha, Qatar | Open Rank | APPLY NOW |
| Assistant Professor Strategic Communication and Emerging Technologies | NUQ Journalism Program | Doha, Qatar | Assistant Professor | APPLY NOW |
About the Academic Environment
Northwestern University in Qatar is part of a global university network while operating within Qatar Foundation’s Education City. Its location in Doha provides faculty members with an opportunity to work in an internationally diverse academic setting.
The university’s focus on the Global South is reflected across its research, teaching and media-making activities. Faculty members can engage with interdisciplinary programmes and research initiatives spanning communication, journalism, media, technology, politics, writing and the liberal arts.
With students from approximately 60 countries, NU-Q offers a multicultural academic environment. Faculty members are expected to support this environment through teaching, mentoring, research and institutional collaboration.
The university’s partnerships and research initiatives also provide opportunities for faculty to engage with questions surrounding media, technology, communication and society in regional and global contexts.
How to Apply
Candidates interested in the available faculty vacancies should apply through the official Northwestern University in Qatar careers portal and select the relevant position.
Applicants should review the complete job description for the specific vacancy, including academic qualifications, research expectations, teaching requirements and application materials.
Since the university has specified October 15, 2026, as the date by which applications will receive the highest priority, interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before this date.
The recruitment process may continue beyond October 15 until the position is filled or the search is closed.
Key Details at a Glance
Company/Institution: Northwestern University in Qatar
Job Location: Doha, Qatar
Employment Type: Full-Time Faculty
Number of Listed Positions: 5
Academic Areas: Political Economy, Global Media Industries, Journalism, Writing, Strategic Communication and Emerging Technologies
Medium of Instruction: English
Arabic/Regional Language: Advantage
Application Priority Date: October 15, 2026
Employer: Northwestern University in Qatar
Work Environment: Higher Education / Research / Teaching
For candidates with academic, research, journalism, media, writing or strategic communication backgrounds, these vacancies cover a range of disciplines and research areas. Applicants should check the individual vacancy requirements carefully and submit their applications through the university’s official recruitment system.
