Virginia Commonwealth University
School of the Arts in Qatar

Position: Graphic Design (Spatial and Experiential) Faculty
Department: Graphic Design
Position Number: F28360
Location: Doha, Qatar
Position Begins: August 11, 2013
Review of Applications: The review of applications is ongoing and will continue until the position is filled.

VCUQatar (www.qatar.vcu.edu) is the Qatar campus of the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1998 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, VCUQatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design, graphic design, interior design and painting & printmaking; Bachelor of Arts in art history, and, a Master of Fine Arts degree in design studies. Located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, VCUQatar is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The current student body represents a diverse range of nationalities with students coming from more than 40 different countries.

VCUQatar strives to provide an engaged, learner-centered environment that fosters inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting. The university hosts the biennial international design conference Tasmeem Doha and supports the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium, attracting globally recognized designers, academics and thinkers while fostering sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic and cultural vitality of Qatar. The university has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and is a significant catalyst for that growth. It has established itself as a center of excellence for education and research in art and design.

VCUQatar has 131 full-time faculty and staff and a student body of 249. VCUQatar was the first campus established in Education City, a unique 2500-acre campus community. Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Carnegie-Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Northwestern University, HEC Paris and UCL have since joined the university.

Qatar is a liberal, hospitable and progressive country in the Arabian Gulf and remains one of the healthiest economies in the Gulf region. English is the standard second language and the population of Qatar is approximately 1.65 million and growing – 350,000 Qatari, the remainder expatriates. Doha offers all the conveniences found in a contemporary and cosmopolitan city, and also maintains a traditional Arab flavor, evident in the old markets and the city’s Islamic Arab architecture. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M.Pei opened in November 2008 and the Arab Museum of Modern Art (Mathaf) opened in 2010. The US Embassy considers Qatar among the safest countries in the world for Americans.

Position Description

VCUQatar’s Graphic Design department is recruiting for a 9-month faculty member with expertise and strength in spatial and experiential manifestations of Graphic design to join our diverse and collaborative faculty. The department seeks a faculty member whose teaching practice is rooted in contemporary design practice in the pragmatic realm but whose thinking is futuristic. Candidates should show their approach and practical experience engaging students in the following possible arenas using innovative media and technologies: creative storytelling, exhibition design, multimedia campaign design and support, presentation design, interactive installations. Candidates must have advanced knowledge and ability using technology to support teaching and research in this arena. Consideration will be given to candidates who show strengths in one or more of the following categories: Arabic typography, bilingual and multilingual typographic expressions, history of Graphic Design in the region and globally.

The design curriculum reflects the well-respected VCU Graphic design program, while addressing local and regional design issues and emphasizing a global sensibility. VCUQatar prides itself on being responsive to the educational, business, cultural and communication needs of Qatar, the Gulf region, and the Middle East. The students are diverse and are admitted to the university on a competitive basis and into the Graphic Design major by portfolio and interview.

The candidate must show a strong commitment to teaching design in a multicultural context with an interest and ability to build upon cultural diversity. Candidates will be expected to teach at all undergraduate levels in a multidimensional Graphic Design curriculum (sophomores to seniors) with the potential to support teaching in the VCUQatar MFA in Design Studies Program. Possible course assignments may include, but are not limited to: Experiential Design (Senior elective level), Print I and II (Junior level), Form and Communication (Sophomore level), Typography I and II (Sophomore/Junior level), and Design Technology (Sophomore level). This faculty member will engage in the development and delivery of significant research, contribute to the function and educational objectives of the department, serve as academic advisor, provide service to the university, the community in Qatar and the profession, and perform all other duties as assigned.

The successful finalist(s) will be expected to present their mastery of the subject matter, teaching philosophy personal/professional work, student work and/or work with students in a classroom setting.

Qualifications
The successful candidate will have an MFA in Graphic Design or equivalent terminal degree in design or related field with a minimum of two years proven higher education teaching experience; professional experience in spatial and experiential graphic design; expertise in Arabic typography and multilingual typography is preferred; and expertise in digital skills to support these arenas. The top candidate will possess strong collaborative and communication skills and will need to interact closely with an interdisciplinary teaching and research faculty community. Candidates must show interest in collaborative teaching and learning experiences. Successful candidates must have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU and VCUQatar.

Benefits
•Competitive international salary
•Tax protection for U.S. Taxpayers
•30% Off-shore supplement to base salary
•Medical Insurance (100% employer funded premium and employer cost shared options available)
•Fully furnished villa or apartment including wireless internet
•Annual travel allowance to home of record (to include a spouse and dependents relocated to Qatar)
•Monthly transportation allowance
•Educational reimbursement for up to 4 dependent children enrolled in an accredited K-12 program
•International Professional Development and Research Opportunities

Application Process: Qualified applicants who have a record of achievement appropriate to VCUQatar should submit a letter of interest with a curriculum vitae, twenty (20) examples of personal work and twenty (20) examples of student work, and the names of five (5) references including email and telephone contact information to Tomaree Porter (tlporter@vcu.edu), Human Resources Administrator, Qatar Support Office. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.

For more information on VCUQatar and this unique international opportunity, please visit
www.vcu.edu/arts/employment/qatar