Programme Supervisor MFA: Set and Costume Design

Start Date: 4 January 2027

Employment Type: Full-time

Closing date for applications: 31 October 2026

Reporting to:
Executive Director of University of the Arts Sharjah

Responsible for:
Set and Costume Design provision within postgraduate programmes;
Supervising MFA Student Set and Costume Design students for productions;
Set and Costume Design for UAS productions (under consideration)

Works closely with:
Programme Leaders:
Production Arts, Acting, Musical Theatre, and Dance. Also working with the Production Manager and Programme Supervisor Producing.

The Programme Supervisor MFA:
Set and Costume Design position (equivalent to an Assistant Professor) at University of the Arts Sharjah (UAS) is a full-time role focused on teaching Set and Costume Design at the postgraduate level. The successful candidate will be expected to supervise postgraduate students in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programme (Theatre and Live Performance Creation: Set and Costume Design) and participate as a member of thesis supervisory committees.

The faculty member will mentor postgraduate students as necessary and teach a mix of skills in the postgraduate Set and Costume Design concentration classes (e.g., design foundation, history, and design genres/forms). Additionally, they may take on the roles for Set and Costume Design on UAS productions (to be confirmed), and supervise MFA student designers working during UAS productions.

The Programme Supervisor MFA:
Set and Costume Design has a key role in overseeing the dynamic and safe practice within the delivery of set and costume design-related teaching. This lead role requires a skill set where the candidate has extensive practical experience in their field, and a successful record of accomplishment in course management, leading assessment/feedback, budgeting and effectively leading a team. S/he will work collaboratively alongside the other departments within the Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance and Production Arts programmes and the wider faculty at UAS.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the potential to meet UAS’s expectations for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, Teaching, and Service as defined in UAS’s Research and Scholarly Activities policy and Faculty Policies. Maintaining professional engagement at the local, national, and international levels will be encouraged.

• Report directly to the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies, and ultimately the Executive Director, to ensure they are kept well-informed in their areas of responsibility.
• Implement the development and delivery of all Set and Costume Design courses within the postgraduate programme. Prioritising safe practice will be fundamental alongside developing and inspiring innovative teaching that connects with multidisciplinary training that remains dynamic and relevant to the industry.
• Organise and facilitate the faculty pertaining to all activities within the Set and Costume Design concentration classes.
• Collaborate with the postgraduate faculty to administer course assessments to deliver structured feedback that supports and enhances learning and development for Set and Costume courses.
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies with timetabling and scheduling for Set and Costume Design courses.
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies in the interview and selection process for hiring additional Designers for productions (as required).
• Assist the Programme Leader Postgraduate Studies in outreach and student recruitment efforts to ensure sustained high levels of enrolment.
• The Programme Supervisor MFA:
  Set and Costume Design may take on additional teaching responsibilities related to the postgraduate programme, including managing curriculum documentation, course files, and course administration to adhere to the institution's quality assurance standards.

Working as an integral part of the UAS team, this role involves close collaboration with Programme Leaders, other Supervisors, and Lead Tutors to ensure the highest level of teaching and learning support is provided to students throughout their studies. This collective effort guarantees that courses are executed effectively and efficiently, benefiting students and the broader Sharjah arts community.

• Applicant must have a Terminal Degree (MFA or PhD) or demonstrate and verify equivalent industry or…