Introduction: Why MBZUAI’s Open Rank Faculty Roles Matter Now
Open rank faculty positions at MBZUAI UAE are among the most visible academic opportunities in artificial intelligence, data-driven science, and engineering in the Gulf region. These roles combine world-class research, intensive graduate teaching, and access to significant computing and research infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.
In this article, you will find a structured, practical guide to the open rank faculty positions MBZUAI UAE offers in science and engineering. We will cover research areas, eligibility, benefits, how to apply, and expert tips for applicants from India and other countries who want to build a long-term academic career in AI and related fields.
Overview of Open Rank Faculty Positions at MBZUAI
MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence) is a graduate, research-focused AI university in Abu Dhabi. It is already ranked in the global top ten for AI-related areas such as computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and computational biology, according to CSRankings.
On the Faculty Positions page of the MBZUAI careers portal, the university lists multiple open rank roles (Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor) across its schools:
Alongside these faculty roles, MBZUAI also advertises research and engineering vacancies (e.g., Research Scientist – Computer Vision, Research Scientist – NLP, Senior High Performance Computing Engineer), which are highly relevant for candidates with an engineering and applied science profile.
Together, these openings make MBZUAI one of the most active universities globally for science and engineering academic jobs in AI and data-driven disciplines.
Why Open Rank Faculty Positions at MBZUAI Are Attractive
For serious researchers and teachers in AI and allied areas, these positions offer several strategic advantages:
1. Full Spectrum of Ranks
The roles are explicitly open rank, meaning MBZUAI is willing to consider strong profiles at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level. This
flexibility is ideal for:
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Recent PhD graduates or early postdocs with strong publications.
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Mid-career faculty seeking a step up in research intensity.
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Established professors looking for greater research funding and institutional support.
A Machine Learning department announcement notes that successful applicants receive an “attractive remuneration package” and generous annual research funding, with encouragement for long-term work on big problems.
MBZUAI focuses exclusively on AI and data-centric science. It hosts research centers in computer vision, machine learning, NLP, and related domains, and operates significant high-performance computing (HPC) facilities.
For a faculty member in science or engineering, this means:
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Access to GPU clusters and HPC resources.
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Graduate students at master’s and PhD levels.
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Collaborations with regional government, health, and industry partners, especially in digital public health and intelligent systems.
3. Location and Quality of Life
Abu Dhabi offers:
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Tax-free salary structures (subject to personal circumstances and home-country rules).
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Modern infrastructure, international schools, and strong healthcare.
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Easy air connectivity for collaboration and conference travel.
For many Indian and international researchers, this combination of professional and personal benefits makes MBZUAI a compelling long-term base.
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Research and Teaching Areas: Science and Engineering Focus
Although MBZUAI is branded as an AI university, many science and engineering disciplines intersect with its faculty positions. Based on the current faculty vacancies, the main clusters include:
AI and Computing
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Computer Science
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Machine Learning
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Natural Language Processing and Speech
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Robotics
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Computer Vision
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Human–Computer Interaction
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Artificial Intelligence in Action (teaching-focused roles)
These roles suit computer scientists, electrical and electronics engineers, robotics engineers, and applied mathematicians with strong AI credentials.
Digital Public Health and Life Sciences
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Computational Biology
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Epidemiology
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Personalized Medicine
Here, MBZUAI seeks candidates who combine biomedical, clinical, or public health training with modern AI methods such as deep learning, causal inference, or large-scale data analysis.
Engineering and Applied Research Roles
On the Engineering Vacancies side, roles such as Research Scientist – Computer Vision, Research Scientist – NLP, and Senior High Performance Computing Engineer bridge academic research with advanced engineering implementation.
Candidates can therefore choose between tenure-track faculty paths
and
research-engineering career tracks, depending on their interests in teaching versus applied development.
Eligibility: Who Should Apply?
While each posting has its own detailed criteria, you can expect the following common requirements across open rank faculty positions MBZUAI UAE:
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Doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant discipline such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, Computational Biology, Epidemiology, or related fields.
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Strong research record with peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals and conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, KDD, top public health or biomedical journals).
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Commitment to teaching and mentoring, including graduate-level courses and supervision of master’s and PhD students.
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Demonstrated ability or potential to attract research funding and lead collaborative projects.
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For senior ranks, evidence of international recognition, leadership roles, and sustained research impact.
Applicants from India and other countries are typically eligible, as MBZUAI operates as an international university and advertises globally through platforms like Nature Careers, Academic Positions, and LinkedIn.
Benefits, Research Support, and Work Environment
According to official and partner announcements, MBZUAI offers a competitive package for faculty:
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Attractive remuneration and benefits.
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Generous research funding allocated annually, enabling faculty to pursue long-term research agendas.
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Access to state-of-the-art laboratories, HPC infrastructure, and AI research platforms.
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Opportunities to collaborate with industry, government, and healthcare partners in the UAE and globally.
In addition, the university’s focused mission in AI and data-driven science means that colleagues, students, and institutional priorities are strongly aligned with research-intensive work.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
To apply for open rank faculty positions in science and engineering at MBZUAI, follow these steps:
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Visit the MBZUAI careers portal
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Select the relevant vacancy
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Choose the appropriate open rank position (e.g., Machine Learning – Open Rank Faculty, Robotics – Open Rank Faculty, Computational Biology – Open Rank Faculty Positions).
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Review the detailed Interfolio call
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Prepare your application package
Typical documents include:
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full publication list.
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Research statement outlining past work and future agenda.
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Teaching statement and, where relevant, evidence of teaching effectiveness.
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Selected publications or preprints.
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Names and contact details of referees.
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Submit before the stated deadline
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Deadlines vary by position. Some postings list a specific closing date (for example, recent open rank roles have had deadlines such as 31 December 2025 or later), while others remain open until filled.
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Monitor email and application portal
Application Tips, Common Mistakes, and Expert Advice
To enhance your chances of success, consider the following:
Align Your Profile Carefully
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Explicitly match your publications and projects to the advertised area (e.g., NLP, robotics, computational biology).
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In your research statement, show how your work connects to MBZUAI’s existing strengths and strategic directions.
Show Long-Term Research Vision
MBZUAI explicitly encourages long-term research on big problems.
Therefore, move beyond short, fragmented projects and articulate:
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A 5–10 year research trajectory.
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How you will build a sustained group, attract funding, and create impact.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
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Generic cover letters that could apply to any university.
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Weak or missing teaching philosophy, especially for teaching-focused roles like Artificial Intelligence in Action.
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Not addressing open rank expectations—if you aim for Associate or Full Professor, highlight leadership and mentoring experience clearly.
Extra Advice for Indian and Global Applicants
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Explain your grading systems, academic titles, and institutional context in simple terms that international committees can interpret quickly.
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If you come from a region with heavy teaching loads, clearly identify periods when you nevertheless produced strong research output; this helps panels understand your trajectory.
Conclusion: Planning Your Next Academic Move with MBZUAI
The open rank faculty positions MBZUAI UAE offers represent a rare combination of focused AI research, science and engineering depth, and strong institutional support. For researchers in computer science, engineering, data science, or digital public health, MBZUAI provides a platform to build ambitious research programs while mentoring highly selected graduate students.
If you are considering your next academic step, this is an ideal time to explore MBZUAI’s faculty vacancies, study the detailed calls, and align your profile to the specific roles. Start by strengthening your research and teaching statements, updating your CV, and preparing a clear long-term vision.
You should regularly review the official faculty vacancies page, track deadlines, and plan your submissions well in advance. Sharing this guide with colleagues and collaborators can also help you build joint proposals, co-supervision plans, and collaborative projects that strengthen your overall application portfolio.
Summary Table
| Feature |
Details |
| Name |
Open Rank Faculty Positions in Science and Engineering – MBZUAI |
| Host Country |
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) |
| Funded By |
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) |
| Duration |
Permanent / multi-year academic appointments (varies by contract and rank; see individual postings) |
| Study Mode |
Full-time, on-campus in Abu Dhabi |
| Eligibility |
PhD in a relevant discipline, strong research record, and commitment to teaching and mentoring |
| Financial Support |
Competitive remuneration, generous research funding, and access to advanced research infrastructure (details in each vacancy notice) |
| Fields of Study |
Computer Science, Machine Learning, NLP and Speech, Robotics, HCI, Statistics and Data Science, Computational Biology, Epidemiology, Personalized Medicine, Digital Public Health |
| Deadline |
Varies by position / Not announced as a single common date – check each vacancy for its specific closing date |
| Official Website |
Careers Open Rank Faculty Positions |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these positions open to international applicants? Yes. MBZUAI advertises globally and actively recruits international faculty through platforms such as Nature Careers, Academic Positions, and LinkedIn.
What is meant by “open rank” at MBZUAI? “Open rank” means that the same vacancy can be filled at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level, depending on the candidate’s experience and track record.
Do I need a PhD to apply? Yes. A completed PhD in a relevant discipline is a core requirement for open rank faculty roles in both the School of Computing and the School of Digital Public Health.
Is prior teaching experience mandatory? For research-focused positions, strong research can sometimes compensate for limited teaching experience. However, MBZUAI expects all faculty to teach and mentor students, and teaching-focused roles require clear evidence of classroom competence.
What benefits can faculty expect? Official communications highlight competitive remuneration, generous research funding, and access to high-end computing and laboratory infrastructure. Relocation and settling-in support are commonly provided in similar advertisements.
How competitive are these positions? Given MBZUAI’s rapid rise in global rankings and its specialist focus, the positions are competitive. A strong, well-documented research and teaching record is essential.
Where can I see all current vacancies? You can view all current faculty, research, engineering, and professional vacancies on the MBZUAI careers portal at https://careers.mbzuai.ac.ae/
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