Employment: Qatar Vacancies
Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar
Location: Doha, Qatar
Position: Design Research Librarian
Position Number FA4310
Position Begins: July 1, 2009
VCUQatar (www.qatar.vcu.edu) is a four-year, degree granting campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts, ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the leading art and design program among all U.S. public universities. Located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, VCUQatar is affiliated with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (www.qf.org.qa). Celebrating ten years of operation, VCUQatar offers BFA degrees in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, and Interior Design with the majority of students from the Gulf region and approximately 30% international.An MFA in Design Studies is pending approval by VCU. Once approved, implementation is planned for Fall 2009, making this the first Design Studies Masters degree in the Gulf. The School 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. VCUQatar has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and is a significant catalyst for that growth.
VCUQatar benefits from a funding situation that allows it to be driven by innovative programmatic needs rather than typical fiscal constraints. Externally funded student and faculty research opportunities are expanding with the rapid development of Qatar, now among the wealthiest countries in the world based upon per capita GDP. (www.qnrf.org) The VCUQatar Center for Research in Design has a 1.7 million contract for the design of Qatar military uniforms; is involved in the World Design Report with Icograda; and is expanding with multiple project opportunities in collaboration with faculty and external partners. The school is the center for design education in the country by emphasizing design entrepreneurship and design awareness through lectures, exhibitions, and conferences, such as the international conference “Tasmeem Doha," and the upcoming 2009 Icograda Design Week, “Mousharaka." With an annual budget of $20 million, VCUQatar’s full-time faculty and administrative staff of 100 (60% female), instruct an undergraduate coed student body of 200. The school maintains an enviable student/faculty ratio of 10:1. Housed in a 96,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, the school has 123,000 square foot addition in development. VCUQatar was the first campus established in Education City, a unique 2,500 acre campus community. VCUQatar has since been joined by Carnegie-Mellon University (Business and Computer Science), Cornell University’s Weill School of Medicine, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Northwestern University (Journalism and Communication), and Texas A & M University (Engineering).
Qatar, where English is the standard second language, is perhaps the most liberal, hospitable and progressive of the Arabian Gulf countries. The population of Qatar is approximately 1 million and growing – 260,000 Qatari, 12,000 US citizens, the remainder expatriates. Doha with a population of 420,000 has all the conveniences found in a contemporary city, and it also maintains a traditional Arab flavor, evident in the old markets and the city’s Islamic Arab architecture. The new Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M.Pei opens in November 2008. The US Embassy considers Qatar among the safest countries in the world for Americans.
Position Description
The VCUQatar Library is recruiting for a librarian to support the students and faculty in the new MFA program. This librarian will develop and deliver a program of graduate-level library instruction and other services based on the new curriculum. The librarian will work individually with graduate students to plan research projects and strategies for a wide range of design problems drawing on research methods from varied disciplines. They will develop and implement outreach strategies targeted to graduate-level students, many of whom speak English as a second language. The Design Research Librarian will also advise on collection development to support research. In addition this position will participate in general library instruction and reference services. All faculty contribute to a culture of learning through participation in fulfilling the educational mission, support for accreditation standards, pursuit of professional research, participation in faculty governance and service. The successful candidate will work in a team oriented small-school environment with practicing, experienced and dedicated educators. Opportunities for regional and international collaboration abound. The Design Research Librarian will perform all other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required: Accredited master’s degree in Library/Information Science or accredited graduate degree in a related discipline. Substantial reference and instruction experience in an academic library and familiarity with research methods and tools in design or related fields. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Fluency in written and spoken English.
Preferred: Academic preparation, including strong research component, in design, social sciences or business. Understanding of the research behaviors of designers and an awareness of trends in the dissemination of information in these disciplines. Knowledge of current and emerging technologies and the ability to utilize them in delivering library services and instruction. Excellent presentation and public speaking skills. Knowledge of Arabic to support collection building.
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 utility allowance and 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 letters of interest with a curriculum vitae, graduate transcripts, and the names of three references with phone and email contact information to Ryan Ellington (rfellington@vcu.edu), Human Resources Administrator, Qatar Support Office. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2008.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
