Professor (Sheikh Nasser al-Muhammad al-Sabah Chair) in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security

Overview

In this role you will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security. You will join SGIA as a leading figure in international relations, regional politics and security, with a focus on the Middle East and Gulf region. You will drive a high-impact research agenda, build international collaborations, and contribute to exceptional teaching and postgraduate supervision. This is an opportunity to shape a globally recognised centre of excellence and strengthen policy and institutional links with Kuwait and GCC states.

Responsibilities

• Provide world-leading research leadership in international relations, regional politics and/or security
• Lead and enhance the Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah Programme’s research agenda
• Strengthen the Programme’s international profile and collaborations
• Develop successful national/international grant proposals and funding opportunities
• Build and expand conferences, workshops, and other engagement activities
• Promote high-quality publications and international visibility of research
• Deliver excellent undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervise postgraduate learning environments
• Mentor early career researchers and supervise PhD students
• Strengthen engagement with policymakers, diplomats, and international partners
• Contribute to department-wide leadership and administrative functions
• Champion the department’s values of inclusion, diversity and collegiality
• Carry out other duties as required by the Head of Department

Key requirements

• PhD in relevant field
• Evidence of internationally excellent research outputs, including two published articles submitted with application
• International profile in international relations, regional politics and/or security with Middle East/Gulf expertise
• Ability to provide intellectual and strategic leadership for a major programme
• Experience in supervising PhD students and contributing to PhD programme development
• Ability to secure external research funding and lead impactful projects
• Strong teaching capability at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Demonstrated leadership in research groups/networks and mentoring
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion and student/policy engagement
• Willingness to engage with international partners and end-users (policymakers, diplomats)
• Excellent communication skills
• Capacity to contribute to administrative and collegial functions

• leadership
• collaboration
• mentorship
• research leadership in IR/Regional Politics/Security
• policy engagement and impact activities
• grant writing and project management

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