Faculty Positions in Water Security and Desalination (Open Rank)

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST); Thuwal; On-site; SAR 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

KAUST’s Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division invites high‑caliber candidates for open‑rank positions (Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor) to advance water security, desalination, and sustainable water systems. Successful hires will develop translational research with in‑Kingdom and international partners and teach graduate students.

KAUST is a mission‑driven graduate research university located on the Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia, offering state‑of‑the‑art

Responsibilities

• Establish and sustain a globally visible research program; contribute to graduate teaching, mentoring, and training of the next generation of scientists and engineers.
• Lead collaboration with in-Kingdom and international partners to translate research into real-world applications.

Skills

Water security research

Desalination

Membrane technology

Modeling & simulation

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Membrane fabrication equipment

Job description

The Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is seeking outstanding individuals and change-makers to build ambitious research programs that will push the boundaries of technology and advance the goals of global water security. Among several targeted faculty hires, we are inviting applications from high-caliber candidates for open-rank positions (i.e., Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor) who will bring new insights, tangible solutions and renewed focus to the areas of water security, desalination, and sustainable water systems. The BESE Division welcomes applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourages applications from Saudi nationals and women in the field.

Initial priority areas

• Seawater reverse osmosis process optimization
• Next-generation membrane and separation technology
• Energy-efficient desalination
• Brine management, zero-liquid discharge and alternative-source production
• Resource recovery and waste valorization
• Water system modeling

We seek candidates with clear plans for research translation, including collaboration with in-Kingdom and international partners, and a pathway to validate and implement outcomes in real-world contexts. Successful candidates will be expected to establish and sustain a globally visible, externally competitive research program, position KAUST as a global leader in water security, and contribute to graduate teaching, mentoring, and the training of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

About KAUST

KAUST is a mission-driven graduate research university dedicated to advancing science and technology through interdisciplinary research, education, and innovation. KAUST works closely with national and international partners across academia, industry, and government to translate research into innovative technologies and solutions that support the Kingdom’s strategic priorities, drive economic development, and deliver tangible societal impact.

Located on the shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, KAUST attracts top faculty, scientists, engineers and students from around the world. Faculty benefit from state-of-the-art research facilities, guaranteed baseline research funding, generous infrastructure support, entrepreneurship opportunities, internationally competitive salaries, and a uniquely international campus community designed to enable both professional excellence and family well-being.

Faculty benefit from state-of-the-art research facilities, guaranteed baseline research funding, generous infrastructure support, entrepreneurship opportunities, internationally competitive salaries, and a uniquely international campus community designed to enable both professional excellence and family well-being.

• state-of-the-art research facilities
• guaranteed baseline research funding
• generous infrastructure support
• entrepreneurship opportunities
• internationally competitive salaries
• uniquely international campus community designed to enable both professional excellence and family well-being

Ranked #1 in the Arab world in the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2026, KAUST is internationally recognized for its research excellence.

Successful candidates will be expected to commence their appointments at KAUST in 2027.

Recruitment is conducted in accordance with KAUST hiring practices and will emphasize transparent, equitable, and internationally benchmarked evaluation.

For more information about KAUST, please visit http://www.kaust.edu.sa. More information about the BESE Division is available at https://bese.kaust.edu.sa/.

For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact [e-mail].