The KAUST Global Postdoctoral Fellowship

Applicants Eligibility

For an applicant to be eligible for this Fellowship:

• Must have been awarded a Ph.D. degree, within four calendar years (i.e., those applying in January 2025, must have received their Ph.D. after January 2021 inclusive);
• Must expect to complete their Ph.D. before the start of their Fellowship;
• Must be ready to move to KAUST to undertake their proposed three-year research project*;
• Must identify in their application a KAUST faculty member who has confirmed and agreed to host them and their research project, if successful.

People of all nationalities are welcome to apply. We encourage female applications to promote a better gender balance in science.

* Candidates must satisfy all  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requirements to obtain resident status.

Three years of funding

Each successful fellow receives up to $40,000 of funding for their research proposal, along with a yearly living stipend of $75,000 plus benefits, including medical insurance, accommodation, schooling for up to 2 children, relocation allowance, and annual travel allowance. The funding allows researchers to prioritize their research on a full-time basis with financial security.

Pursuing independed Research

This program offers a truly unique opportunity for early-career researchers to pursue their own research project and expand on their innovative ideas. Early career researchers are presented with the possibility of building their own future career path and transition toward a competitive independent research career.

Research Facilities

KAUST provides easy access to all the necessary research tools and equipment Fellows need to fulfill their research goals, with unparalleled laboratory facilities available on campus. Fellows are also supported by their experienced colleagues and can rely on the expertise of their host Principal Investigator.

A sense of community

KAUST attracts some of the brightest minds from across the globe, with more than 110 nationalities living, working, and studying on campus, creating a dynamic international environment. KAUST is more than a university; it is a unique ecosystem where education, research, innovation, and industry converge coincide. This supportive intellectual environment enhances our researchers' scientific endeavors, as well as their personal and professional development, and offers networking opportunities that will help to kick-start your budding research career.

Personal & Professional Development

The KAUST Global Fellowship Program offers a variety of learning and development programs designed to support and improve Fellows' existing skills while nurturing and developing new skills. These programs include the KAUST Mentoring Program, the Harvard HE Teaching Certificate, and Leadership programs/ certificates. Each Fellow's learning experience is enhanced further through networking opportunities with other Fellows and successful alumni of the Fellowship program.

A Global Network

KAUST has an extensive network of international research partners that facilitate networking opportunities for the KAUST research community to meet a global set of external organizations operating in academia, industry, government agencies, funding bodies, and other external partners. This extensive network of research and industry leaders helps Fellows to build successful international partnerships for their future careers.