Assoc Prof/ Prof Maritime Operations (FSHC/ 250925/33)

Role Overview

Associate Professor or Professor of Maritime Operations at Sharjah Maritime Academy, located in Sharjah, UAE.

Role Purpose

To lead postgraduate teaching, research, and industry engagement in maritime operations and related disciplines. The role supports the Head of Maritime Logistics and Supply Chain Management Program in advancing the Academy's strategic academic, research, and industry objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

• Teach postgraduate courses in Advanced Maritime Operations Management, Port and Terminal Management, Maritime Safety and Risk Management Systems, Smart Ports and Digital Shipping, Advanced Port Operations and Planning, Port Asset and Project Management, Shipping Operations and Fleet Management, and related maritime operations disciplines as assigned.
• Deliver high-quality lectures, seminars, workshops, simulations, case studies, and applied learning activities using innovative and effective pedagogical approaches.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in maritime operations, shipping, ports, safety management, digital transformation, sustainability, and international maritime regulations to support research-informed teaching.
• Integrate academic theory and maritime industry practice through case studies, simulations, and research-informed teaching.

Assessment and Student Support

• Participate in all aspects of assessment, including examination setting, moderation, marking, viva examinations, project evaluation, and development of innovative assessment methods that enhance student learning outcomes.
• Provide timely, constructive, formative, and comprehensive feedback to students using appropriate communication channels and learning technologies.
• Supervise postgraduate dissertations, applied research projects, industry projects, internships, and capstone projects in maritime operations, maritime risk management, port logistics, maritime economics, shipping finance, and digital maritime technologies.
• Serve as Academic Advisor and mentor to students, supporting their academic, professional, and personal development.

Research and Publications

• Conduct high-quality research in maritime operations, port management, shipping operations, maritime safety, smart ports, digital shipping, sustainability, and maritime logistics, contributing to the Academy's research strategy and international reputation.
• Contribute to the development of the Academy's research profile through high-quality publications, collaborative research projects, conference participation, and external research funding applications.
• Publish scholarly work in high-impact journals and actively pursue research grants, consultancy projects, and industry-funded initiatives.

Curriculum and Quality Assurance

• Contribute to curriculum development, course review, program enhancement, accreditation activities, and institutional quality assurance initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with academic regulations, quality assurance requirements, program specifications, timetables, and the annual academic calendar.

Academic Governance and Representation

• Participate actively in departmental, college, and institutional committees, meetings, and academic governance activities.
• Represent the Academy at conferences, professional events, industry forums, and external stakeholder engagements.
• Deliver courses and contribute to interdisciplinary teaching activities across other academic departments when required by the Line Manager.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• PhD in Maritime Operations, Maritime Management, Port Management, Shipping Management, Maritime Technology, or a closely related discipline.
• Postgraduate teaching experience in Maritime Operations, Shipping Operations, Port and Terminal Operations, Maritime Risk Management, and related maritime disciplines.
• Relevant industry experience in shipping companies, ports, terminals, maritime authorities, maritime logistics organizations, or maritime consultancy.
• Advanced knowledge of Maritime Operations Management, Shipping Operations, Maritime Economics, and Shipping Finance.
• Advanced knowledge of Port and Terminal Logistics, Port and Terminal Operations, Port Planning, and Port Asset Management.
• Knowledge of Maritime Safety Management Systems, Risk Management Frameworks, Operational Resilience, and Business Continuity within maritime environments.
• Knowledge of international maritime conventions, regulations, and industry standards, including SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISPS Code, and related IMO instruments.
• Knowledge of Smart Ports, Digital Shipping, Maritime Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and emerging maritime technologies.
• Knowledge of maritime operational performance measurement, sustainability, ESG principles, environmental compliance, and decarbonization initiatives within the maritime sector.
• Knowledge of research methods, academic quality standards, postgraduate supervision practices, and evidence-based decision-making.

Preferred

• Professional maritime certification or recognized qualification relevant to maritime operations.
• Recognized qualification for teaching in Higher Education.
• Membership or Fellowship of a relevant professional body from Maritime or Shipping.
• Experience supervising postgraduate dissertations, applied research projects, and capstone projects.
• Demonstrated research capability through publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.
• Experience in curriculum development, course leadership, and academic program enhancement.
• Familiarity with international maritime regulations and industry standards, including SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, ISPS Code, and related IMO instruments.
• Familiarity with CAA standards, quality assurance processes, and accreditation requirements in the UAE.
• Familiarity with learning technologies, Learning Management Systems (LMS), online assessment platforms, and academic integrity tools.
• Experience with digital maritime technologies, smart ports, simulation systems, and emerging technologies relevant to the maritime sector.
• Knowledge of maritime simulation systems, port simulation platforms, and technology-enabled learning environments.
• Knowledge of UAE maritime regulations, CAA standards, and higher education quality assurance requirements.
• Knowledge of research funding mechanisms, consultancy activities, industry engagement practices, and collaborative research development within the maritime sector.

Skills & Competencies

• Communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal, at the highest level of professionalism.
• Deliver strong teaching, presentation, facilitation, and student engagement skills across postgraduate learning environments.
• Supervise postgraduate research, dissertations, and applied industry projects.
• Apply strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills relevant to maritime operations, risk management, port logistics, shipping, and maritime finance.
• Work effectively within multicultural and interdisciplinary academic and professional environments.