• • A potential supervisor who agrees to host you.

  • A draft research idea that aligns with their current funded projects.

Ideal applicants from India and the Global South

Indian and other Global South applicants are particularly competitive when they:

• • Have a strong PhD from a recognised university with clear evidence of independent work.

  • Possess experience in interdisciplinary or applied projects, especially related to sustainability, health, digital technologies, or social transformation—areas that match UM’s priority research clusters. 

  • Can show previous collaboration or conference participation in Southeast Asia, which signals readiness to integrate quickly into the UM research environment.

Funding, Benefits, and Research Environment at Universiti Malaya

According to the official announcement, each of the 150 UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards offers: 

• • Annual salary of RM96,000, paid monthly.

  • Medical coverage under UM’s staff healthcare arrangements.

  • The opportunity to collaborate with leading scholars on global research challenges.

  • Membership of a diverse, world-class research community in Malaysia’s flagship university.

Under the standard PDRF framework, appointments are full-time, contract positions. Earlier calls specify that: 

• • Local candidates may be appointed for 6–12 months initially, while international candidates usually start with at least 12 months to satisfy visa conditions.

  • Extensions can be considered based on performance and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), particularly research publications and project milestones.

As a result, applicants should treat this as an intensive, output-oriented period. You are expected to publish, contribute to grant delivery, mentor junior researchers or students when needed, and help build the host group’s international visibility.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Although the 150-awards campaign uses a short URL and QR code, the underlying process follows the standard PDRF application route. 

1. Identify a host faculty and supervisor

Firstly, map your research interests to UM’s faculties, institutes, or research centres. Review potential supervisors’ recent publications and funded projects via UM’s research portals and departmental pages.

Once you have a shortlist, write to potential supervisors with:

• • A concise CV highlighting key publications and methods.

  • A one- to two-page research concept note aligned with their funding.

  • A clear statement on why UM is your preferred destination.

2. Confirm funding route and supervisor support

Secondly, discuss with the supervisor whether your appointment will be:

• • Funded by central UM funds, or

  • Funded by grants or others, using the specific PDRF application form for grant-funded positions. 

The supervisor must agree to host you and complete their section of the application, including declarations and confirmation of grant details.

3. Prepare documents and application form

Thirdly, complete the relevant PDRF application form and checklist. Standard requirements include: 

• • Completed and signed application form and checklist.

  • Recent passport-size photograph with a blue background.

  • Curriculum vitae with full publication list and key achievements.

  • Certified copies of academic degrees (PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s) and English language test results, where applicable.

  • A clear research proposal with objectives, methods, expected outputs, and a lay summary.

  • A Gantt chart showing milestones and timelines.

In addition, you must arrange two referee reports. The official announcement links directly to a referee report template, and UM expects referees to send their reports within about two weeks of your application. 

4. Submit both soft copy and hard copy

Fourthly, send: 

• • Soft copy (PDF) of the complete application package to the designated email address ([email protected]).

  • Two hard copies (one original, one photocopy) of the full application set to the office indicated on the form or call.

Incomplete or late applications are not processed, so you should plan backwards from the expected deadline and factor in courier time.

5. Monitor the official website and email

Finally, the 150-award campaign does not list a fixed closing date on the landing page. Therefore, applicants must monitor:

• • The UMResearch Post-Doctoral Fellowship page (umresearch.um.edu.my/join-us/post-doctoral-fellowship/).

  • Any deadline information provided through the shortlink application portal.

  • Email communication from the postdoc recruitment team.

Do not resign from your current role or make irreversible travel plans until you receive a formal offer and have secured the necessary visa and work authorisations. 

Practical Tips, Common Mistakes, and Expert Advice

From an expert recruiter’s perspective, several patterns recur in strong and weak applications.

Firstly, successful candidates usually tailor their CV and proposal specifically to UM and to the chosen supervisor. They highlight how their skills will accelerate the existing grant, rather than proposing a completely unrelated topic.

Secondly, strong applicants document impact—for example, by emphasising highly cited papers, policy reports, industry collaborations, or software and datasets. That kind of evidence reassures the selection committee that you can deliver two or more Q1/Q2 publications in the fellowship period. 

Common mistakes include:

• • Sending generic emails to multiple supervisors without any sign of having read their work.

  • Underestimating the importance of English writing quality in the research proposal.

  • Submitting incomplete documentation (uncertified certificates, missing referee reports, or no Gantt chart).

For Indian candidates, an additional strategic tip is to link your proposed work to India–Malaysia or ASEAN collaboration themes, such as green energy, health technologies, digital education, or climate resilience. Such topics align with both countries’ policy priorities and can strengthen later applications for faculty positions or joint grants.

Conclusion: Is the UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Right for You?

The 150 UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards represent a rare, large-scale call that can transform the careers of early-stage researchers, especially from India and other emerging research economies. With competitive salary, medical coverage, and a structured PDRF framework, the scheme combines material support with clear expectations for high-quality publications and impact. 

If you hold a recent PhD, have a strong Q1/Q2 publication record, and are ready to commit intensively to research for at least one to two years, this programme deserves serious consideration. However, it demands careful preparation: identifying the right supervisor, aligning with active grants, and submitting a complete, polished application.

You should now review the official UMResearch Post-Doctoral Fellowship page and download the latest forms before planning your timeline. Start contacting potential supervisors early, and refine your research proposal to demonstrate both excellence and feasibility. Finally, consider bookmarking this guide or sharing it with colleagues who may also benefit from these 150 UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards.

Summary Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)