🇸🇦 KAUST Global Fellowship Program 2027 — $75,000/Year Postdoc in Saudi Arabia

 🇸🇦 KAUST Global Fellowship Program 2027 — $75,000/Year Postdoc in Saudi Arabia

Want to lead your own research at the #1 university in the Arab world with a $75,000 salary, $40,000 research budget, and free housing on the Red Sea? KAUST is recruiting outstanding early-career scientists for 2027.

What You Get
• $75,000 annual stipend
• $20,000–$40,000 annual research budget (discipline-dependent)
• Free on-campus accommodation (family housing available)
• Full medical insurance for you and dependants
• Schooling for up to 3 children (ages 4+)
• Daycare subsidy for younger children
• Relocation allowance for visa and shipping
• Annual travel assistance for you and eligible dependants
• Career development: mentoring, leadership, Harvard HE Teaching Certificate
• Full access to KAUST Core Labs with expert support and free training
• Three years of independent, fellow-led research

Who Should Apply
• Final-year PhD candidates OR PhD graduates within the last 4 years
• For Call 2027: PhD awarded January 2023 or later
• Up to two first-author (or joint-first-author) papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Two referees who can speak to your independent research potential
• Must identify 1–3 potential KAUST faculty hosts whose research aligns with yours
• Must be willing to relocate to KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia for 3 years
• Open to ALL nationalities — no restrictions
• Female applicants actively encouraged

Research Areas (must align with at least one)
• Water
• Food
• Energy
• Health
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Environment (including Marine Science / Red Sea)
• Sustainable environment and essential needs
• Energy and industrial leadership
• Economies of the future

Duration: 3 years (evaluation at end of Year 2)

How to Apply (Two-Stage Process)

Stage 1 — Concept Note:
1. Go to KAUST Global Fellowship Program
2. Read the details and click Apply Now.
3. Visit and review research priorities and faculty profiles
4. Identify 1–3 potential Host PIs whose work aligns with your idea
5. Register on the PlutoEdu application platform (you AND your referees)
6. Prepare your 4-page CV, Concept Note, and two best publications
7. Submit between 1 September and 1 October 2026

Stage 2 — Full Proposal (by invitation only):
6. If a faculty member supports your application, you are invited to Stage 2
7. Submit full proposal between 15 November 2026 and 15 January 2027
8. Undergo internal and external review + final interview with VP for Research
9. If selected, start between July and December 2027

Important Rules
• Only ONE proposal per cycle
• Remote/hybrid work NOT available — must live at KAUST
• KAUST alumni and postdocs affiliated >12 months are INELIGIBLE
• Current KAUST postdocs: only eligible if joined after Jan 2026 or <12 months affiliation
• Applications without clear alignment to KAUST research missions will not progress



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