Middle East Studies Center

Our client’s Middle East Studies Center is a globally recognized institution dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary research, teaching, and public engagement about the Middle East. The center brings together a vibrant community of scholars from diverse disciplines, promoting innovative approaches to the study of history, culture, politics, economics, and society in the region.

This is a faculty community defined by genuine intellectual range — where historians, political scientists, anthropologists, literary scholars, and economists work in dialogue with one another rather than in separate silos. The center values interdisciplinary depth, public engagement, and the kind of scholarship that is both academically rigorous and relevant to real-world questions about one of the world’s most consequential and complex regions.

About the Role

We invite applications for a faculty position in Middle East Studies. The successful candidate will contribute to the center’s mission through cutting-edge research, dynamic teaching, and meaningful service. Scholars specializing in any area of Middle East Studies are encouraged to apply. The appointment is open rank, welcoming applications from advanced doctoral candidates through senior scholars.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Scholarship

• Conduct and publish original, peer-reviewed research in Middle East Studies, contributing meaningfully to the scholarly literature in the candidate’s area of specialization.
• Pursue external research funding, grants, and collaborative projects that strengthen the center’s research profile and support doctoral student development.
• Present research findings at leading national and international conferences and engage actively with the broader scholarly community in Middle East Studies and adjacent fields.

Teaching and Curriculum

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate’s area of expertise, contributing a distinctive scholarly perspective to the center’s curriculum.
• Develop new course offerings where appropriate, helping to build or strengthen the center’s coverage of key themes, periods, sub-regions, or disciplinary approaches within Middle East Studies.
• Maintain high standards of instructional quality, including timely feedback, accessible pedagogy, and a genuine commitment to student learning outcomes.

Graduate Supervision and Mentorship

• Supervise graduate students at the MA and PhD levels, guiding them through research design, dissertation development, and preparation for academic and professional careers.
• Contribute to the academic and professional development of doctoral students through mentorship, committee participation, and career advising.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration within the center and across the broader university, building intellectual connections that strengthen the center’s research and teaching.
• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives, joint programming, and collaborative grant applications where the candidate’s expertise adds distinctive value.

Public Engagement and Outreach

• Participate in outreach and public engagement initiatives related to the Middle East, including media commentary, policy briefings, public lectures, and community programming.
• Represent the center’s intellectual mission in public and professional forums, helping to translate academic expertise into accessible insights for broader audiences.

Service and Governance

• Serve on departmental, center, university, and professional committees as required, contributing to the governance and strategic direction of the institution’s area studies programs.
• Participate in faculty hiring, program review, accreditation, and other governance responsibilities in accordance with rank and institutional policy.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with interdisciplinary or transnational approaches to Middle East Studies that cross traditional disciplinary or geographic boundaries.
• Evidence of public engagement, policy-related expertise, or applied scholarship that extends the impact of academic work beyond the university.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic settings through teaching, mentorship, scholarship, or service.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in collaborative grant writing, funded research initiatives, or partnerships with policy or community organizations.

Compensation and Support

Application Process

Applicants should submit the following materials electronically. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

1. A cover letter outlining research agenda, teaching philosophy, and the candidate’s fit with the center’s interdisciplinary mission.
2. Curriculum vitae including full publication list, courses taught, and relevant professional service.
3. A writing sample such as a published article, book chapter, or dissertation chapter representative of current research.
4. A teaching portfolio including sample syllabi and teaching evaluations where available.
5. Contact information for three professional references who can speak to both research and teaching.

Retained Search by Excelon Associates

Excelon Associates is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Asheville, NC, with additional offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL. Our higher education practice places faculty, center directors, and academic leaders at universities committed to building rigorous and globally engaged area studies programs across the United States.

For institutions seeking exceptional Middle East Studies faculty and area studies scholars, Excelon Associates is a trusted recruitment partner. Reach out to start a confidential conversation, or browse our full sample job descriptions library for related higher education and faculty roles.