Research Analyst - Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (UAE National)

Life at Dubai Future Foundation

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai’s leadership to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the Foundation runs and oversees many futureproofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, Dubai Future Accelerators, One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, and Dubai Future Forum.

DFF’s efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai’s ambition to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight, and a disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programmes of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit www.dubaifuture.ae.

Where Does This Role Fit Into the Bigger Picture?

The Futures, Foresight and Imagination strategic business unit focuses on achieving Dubai Future Foundation’s objective of being recognized as a leader in innovation through delivering evidence-based research and driving cutting-edge thinking.

The Futures, Foresight and Imagination strategic business unit acts as the opinion-forming part of the business, underpinned by sound research that advances regional and international knowledge. The team also leads the UAE’s affiliate Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

In a world shaped by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) serves as a public-private platform for the collaborative development of frameworks that anticipate risks and accelerate the social benefits of technology. It creates governance frameworks and works with a multi-stakeholder community to refine and test them.

Research Analyst – C4IR

As a Research Analyst within the C4IR team, you will be agile, thorough, proactive, and committed to developing your expertise. You will join the team with at least one defined area of interest, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) or the Internet of Things (IoT), and will actively research specific topics to broaden your field of expertise.

You will lead research activities, develop high-quality content, and contribute to positioning Dubai Future Foundation and the UAE C4IR at the forefront of future innovation. You will also contribute to new project development, stakeholder engagement, communications, and events.

Evidence-Based Research

• Proactively develop research projects and produce and publish findings that contribute to your development as a thought leader and subject matter expert.

• Apply strong critical analysis skills to evaluate existing research, reports, and articles, enabling you to engage in informed discussions and provide evidence-based perspectives on emerging topics.

Communication

• Stay informed of relevant technology trends, developments, and research within your area of expertise.

• Participate in international meetings, discussions, and calls, contributing informed perspectives based on sound evidence and research.

• Support the delivery of workshops, including content development, speaker coordination, and other related activities, in collaboration with the team.

Third-Party Relationships

• Develop and maintain external networks and relationships, identifying new connections and opportunities that can benefit the organisation.

• Build a strong professional reputation and establish relationships based on an evidence-informed and credible perspective.

Why This Role Is Important

This role makes a meaningful impact by bringing curiosity, rigour, and dedication to research within a continually evolving field of expertise.

You will be fact-driven, structured, and passionate about developing and publishing high-quality research. The role plays an important part in pushing the boundaries of future thinking and strengthening the positioning of Dubai Future Foundation and the UAE C4IR as thought leaders both regionally and internationally.

What Dubai Future Foundation Offers

We offer a unique opportunity to work with passionate people, support the shapers of the future, and contribute to work that has an impact—not only on the organisation and the UAE, but potentially on humankind as a whole.

You will have the opportunity to work on exciting and innovative projects in a highly diverse and fast-paced environment that fosters creativity, disruptive ideas, innovation, and forward thinking.

• Qualifications & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical field, with demonstrable expertise in a defined area of interest.

  • Minimum 2–4 years of experience in a research-related role, preferably within a relevant scientific, technology, innovation, policy, or future-focused environment.

  • Demonstrable research experience, with the ability to provide examples of previous work such as research papers, policies, articles, trend reports, white papers, consultancy reports, or similar outputs.

  • Strong curiosity and commitment to staying informed of the latest trends, developments, and emerging topics within your area of expertise, both regionally and internationally.

  • Advanced written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively. Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is an advantage.

  • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality, evidence-based work.

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and take ownership of research assignments and deliverables.