Verified 3 October 2026: Universiti Malaya continues to list the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme with ongoing applications. The current official selection timeline states “Application Submission — Ongoing,” with shortlisting/interviews handled by the Postdoctoral Office.
Postdoctoral Fellowship · Universiti Malaya · Kuala Lumpur
Universiti Malaya Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme (PDRF) is currently open on an ongoing, year-round basis. The current official UMResearch guidance lists a salary of RM8,000 per month before statutory deductions, a standard 12-month appointment cycle, and demanding publication requirements for both entry and annual performance.
Year-round applications
12-month appointment
Up to 3 years
Important eligibility correction: the current 2026 UMResearch guidance does not state that applicants must have received their PhD within the previous five years. Use the current official UMResearch criteria rather than older fellowship summaries.
1Universiti Malaya PDRF 2026 at a Glance
| Feature | Current official information |
|---|---|
| Programme | UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme (PDRF) |
| Institution | Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Application status | Ongoing / open throughout the year |
| Salary | RM8,000 per month before statutory deductions |
| Standard appointment | 12 months |
| Maximum duration | Generally up to 3 years, subject to performance, approval and funding |
| Science & Technology entry threshold | Minimum 4 Q1 WoS-indexed publications as First Author |
| Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities entry threshold | Minimum 4 Scopus/ISI-indexed publications as First Author |
| English requirement | If the PhD thesis was not written in English: TOEFL 600 or IELTS 6.5 |
| Annual leave | 25 days per 12-month appointment |
| Sick leave | 15 days per 12-month appointment |
| Accommodation | Not provided unless stated by the funding sponsor |
2Current Eligibility Requirements
UM’s current official PDRF guidance requires applicants to hold a PhD or Senate approval letter confirming PhD conferment, demonstrate relevant research experience, and meet the publication threshold for their field.
Science & Technology
- PhD or qualifying PhD conferment evidence
- Minimum 4 Q1 Web of Science-indexed publications as First Author
- Relevant research experience
- Strong research potential aligned with UM priorities
- Commitment to full-time research at Universiti Malaya
Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities
- PhD or qualifying PhD conferment evidence
- Minimum 4 Scopus- or ISI-indexed publications as First Author
- Relevant research experience
- Strong research potential aligned with UM priorities
- Commitment to full-time research at Universiti Malaya
English-language requirement
If the PhD thesis was not written in English, the official UM FAQ currently specifies TOEFL 600 or IELTS Band 6.5. If the thesis was written in English, follow the current application form and submit any evidence UM requests to establish the language of study.
3Supervisor Requirements
The proposed supervisor must also satisfy UM’s PDRF criteria. Supervisor selection is therefore an eligibility issue as well as a research-fit decision.
Science & Technology Supervisor
Must meet at least one of the following:
- H-index of at least 20; or
- At least 6 Q1 WoS publications during the previous three years.
Social Sciences & Humanities Supervisor
Must meet at least one of the following:
- H-index of at least 15; or
- At least 6 Scopus-indexed publications during the previous three years.
Before preparing the full application: confirm both your own publication eligibility and the proposed supervisor’s eligibility.
4Salary, Deductions and Benefits
The current official UM FAQ lists a salary of RM8,000 per month before statutory deductions. EPF, SOCSO and tax apply according to prevailing regulations where applicable.
Salary
RM8,000/month before statutory deductions.
Medical Claim
For UM-funded appointments, maximum outpatient and dental claim is RM600 per year, pro-rated where applicable.
Leave
25 days annual leave and 15 days sick leave per 12-month appointment.
Housing
No standard accommodation or housing allowance unless specifically provided by the funding sponsor.
The standard PDRF conditions do not provide a general additional remuneration or bonus unless otherwise stated by the funding sponsor.
5Publication KPI: The Critical Requirement
The UM PDRF is a highly publication-intensive appointment. The current official KPI requires at least five First-Author articles within one year.
Science & Technology KPI
5 Q1/Q2 WoS-indexed First-Author publications, including at least:
- 3 Q1 publications
- 2 Q2 publications
Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities KPI
5 Scopus/WoS-indexed First-Author publications within one year.
Assess feasibility before applying. A strong publication record at entry is not enough. The project, data, laboratory access, collaborators and manuscript pipeline should make the one-year publication KPI realistically achievable.
Progress monitoring
UM requires postdoctoral fellows to submit a Progress Report Review and Monitoring Form every three months. The supervisor reviews the report as part of ongoing performance monitoring. Publications produced during the appointment must also include UM’s required PDRF acknowledgement statement as specified in the official FAQ.
6Documents Required for the Application
The current UM application materials require a complete application package. Applicants should prepare the following items as applicable:
- Completed and signed application forms
- Passport-sized photograph
- Curriculum Vitae
- Certified copies of academic qualifications
- PhD degree certificate or Senate Letter
- Master’s and Bachelor’s degree records
- TOEFL / IELTS evidence where applicable
- Description of the PhD thesis / dissertation
- First page of publications
- Two referee reports
- Other relevant certificates requested in the current application materials
Academic documents in another language must be translated into English where required by the application form. UM states that incomplete applications are not processed.
7How to Apply
- Check your publication eligibility. Confirm that your first-author publications meet the required index and quartile rules.
- Identify a qualifying UM supervisor. Check research fit and the supervisor’s H-index / publication eligibility.
- Discuss the research plan. Ensure the project can realistically support the one-year publication KPI.
- Prepare the full application package. Use the current forms linked from UMResearch.
- Submit through the current UM application route. Applications are open throughout the year.
- Monitor email. UM communicates review status, shortlisting and interview scheduling by email.
Who is a strong candidate?
- You already satisfy the first-author publication threshold
- Your proposed supervisor meets UM’s supervisor criteria
- Your project can generate publishable outputs within 12 months
- You can work full-time at Universiti Malaya
- You can demonstrate alignment with UM research priorities
- You are prepared for quarterly monitoring and the annual publication KPI
8Selection, Appointment Duration and International Applicants
| Stage | Current UM guidance |
|---|---|
| Application submission | Ongoing |
| Status after review | Via email |
| Shortlisting | Via email |
| Interview | Scheduled by the Postdoctoral Office and announced by email |
| Final offer | Generally within 1–2 months after interview |
| Expected start date | Flexible upon acceptance |
Appointment duration and extension
The standard appointment cycle is 12 months. The maximum appointment duration is generally up to three years, but extension is not automatic. UM states that extension depends on excellent performance, fulfilment of KPI requirements, supervisor recommendation, funding availability and, for international candidates, visa approval.
International applicants
The official PDRF guidance does not restrict the programme to Malaysian citizens. International candidates should confirm immigration, visa, document-certification and funding conditions before accepting an offer. Extension of an international fellow’s appointment is also subject to visa approval.
Termination
The official UM FAQ states that either party must provide 30 days’ written notice or payment in lieu of notice to terminate the appointment.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on an older five-year-since-PhD rule not stated in the current criteria
- Counting co-authored papers that do not satisfy the First-Author requirement
- Ignoring journal indexing or quartile requirements
- Selecting a supervisor who does not meet UM’s PDRF criteria
- Assuming the historical “150 awards” campaign means 150 places remain available now
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Underestimating the five-publication annual KPI
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Universiti Malaya postdoctoral salary in 2026?
The current official UM FAQ lists RM8,000 per month before statutory deductions such as EPF, SOCSO and tax where applicable.
Is the UM postdoctoral fellowship open throughout the year?
Yes. UM currently states that applications are open throughout the year.
Does the PhD need to have been awarded within five years?
The current 2026 UMResearch eligibility criteria do not list a five-year-since-PhD requirement. Applicants should use the current official criteria rather than older fellowship notices.
How many publications are required to apply?
Science and Technology applicants need at least 4 Q1 WoS-indexed publications as First Author. Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities applicants need at least 4 Scopus/ISI-indexed publications as First Author.
What is the publication KPI after appointment?
Within one year, Science and Technology fellows are expected to produce five Q1/Q2 WoS-indexed First-Author articles, including at least three Q1 and two Q2 papers. Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities fellows are expected to produce five Scopus/WoS First-Author publications.
Does UM provide accommodation?
No standard accommodation or housing allowance is provided unless the funding sponsor specifically states otherwise.
How long can the UM postdoctoral fellowship continue?
Appointments run in 12-month cycles and may generally continue for up to three years, subject to performance, KPI completion, supervisor recommendation, funding and required approvals.
Official Universiti Malaya Sources
Last verified by CareerAidHub:
Current verified status: applications are open throughout the year; salary is RM8,000 per month before statutory deductions; the current official eligibility rules do not state a five-year-since-PhD limit.
