Faculty positions in Chemistry at KFUPM, Saudi Arabia81 Views

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, is inviting applications for Assistant, Associate and Full Professor positions in Chemistry. These tenure-track and tenured roles sit within a globally recognised research university known for its strengths in science, engineering and technology, as well as its close partnerships with the energy and materials sectors. For ambitious academics seeking chemistry faculty jobs in Saudi Arabia, the university offers a powerful combination of research infrastructure, competitive compensation and an excellent quality of life on campus.

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, invites exceptional chemists to join as Assistant, Associate, or Full Professors in Chemistry. These chemistry faculty positions offer high-impact research, excellent teaching opportunities, a supportive international campus, tax-free compensation, and strong links to energy, materials and industrial innovation in the Gulf region.

These positions are particularly suitable for scholars who wish to combine high-impact chemical research, rigorous and engaging teaching, and a vibrant, multicultural campus experience in the Gulf region. As a faculty member, you will supervise graduate students, develop externally funded projects and collaborate with colleagues across multiple disciplines, while contributing to the strategic growth and international profile of chemistry at KFUPM.

Quick Overview: Chemistry Faculty Positions at KFUPM

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JOIN US

The Chemistry Department at KFUPM is in an expansion phase and actively welcomes applications from talented academics at all career stages. The department is housed within the College of Chemicals and Materials, alongside Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and Materials Science & Engineering. This structure creates a rich environment for interdisciplinary collaboration, joint appointments and cross-cutting research proposals.

As a faculty member, you will:

• • Contribute to a dynamic research culture with strong industry connections and national strategic relevance.
  • Teach and mentor highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students in a supportive but demanding academic environment.
  • Help shape the department’s growth in emerging areas of chemistry and chemical engineering, including themes central to energy, sustainability and advanced materials.

Whether you are:

• • An early-career scholar ready for your first Assistant Professor role,
  • A mid-career Associate Professor consolidating your research leadership, or
  • An established Full Professor seeking a new strategic base in the region,

the department offers a

clear pathway to build a long-term academic career with meaningful impact in both teaching and research.

As you consider your options, this opportunity can also be compared to similar Gulf-region academic jobs in chemistry, making it attractive for candidates evaluating multiple international offers.

Chemistry Specializations in Demand

KFUPM is specifically recruiting faculty in the following core and applied chemistry fields:

• • Physical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Industrial Chemistry

These specialisations underpin both fundamental and applied research relevant to energy, catalysis, petrochemicals, environmental technologies, advanced materials and industrial processes. Consequently, the department particularly welcomes candidates whose work bridges chemistry with chemical engineering, materials science, environmental science or data-driven methods such as computational chemistry and cheminformatics.

ROLE OVERVIEW

As an Assistant, Associate or Full Professor in the Chemistry Department, your responsibilities span three main pillars: teaching, research and service. Each pillar plays a critical role in your overall performance, and long-term success depends on balancing them effectively across the duration of your appointment.

Teaching and Mentoring

In teaching and student support, you will:

• • Deliver core
    and advanced courses in your area of specialisation at undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Supervise and co-supervise BSc, MSc and PhD research projects that align with your research agenda.
  • Contribute to curriculum development, laboratory courses and adoption of modern teaching methods, including active learning, problem-based learning and technology-enhanced instruction.

Research and Innovation

On the research side, you are expected to:

• • Develop and lead an independent, internationally visible research programme in your chosen area of chemistry or chemical engineering.
  • Publish in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and present your results at well-regarded international conferences.
  • Seek external research funding from national agencies, industry partners and international programmes, as appropriate to your seniority and research plans.
  • Collaborate with industry, national research centres and international partners to translate your findings into real-world applications where possible.

The university hosts numerous research centres and has a strong track record in innovation, intellectual property and patents. In practice, this means you will find institutional support for both fundamental and applied projects, including those with clear industrial relevance. For instance, faculty may connect their work to energy transition research, sustainable materials development or environmental remediation technologies, creating additional visibility and

impact.

Academic Service

Finally, as a member of the academic community, you will also:

• • Serve on departmental and university-level committees, contributing to governance and strategic planning.
  • Take part in outreach activities, professional societies and scientific events, thereby enhancing the visibility of the department and the university.
  • Support accreditation processes, quality assurance initiatives and continuous improvement efforts across programmes and courses.

This combination of teaching, research and service responsibilities mirrors expectations at leading international institutions while being embedded in a distinctive Gulf-region context that is evolving rapidly in science, technology and higher education.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

KFUPM offers a comprehensive tax-free compensation and benefits package that is highly competitive within the region and notably attractive to international faculty. The package is carefully structured to support both professional and personal needs for academics relocating to Dhahran with or without families.

Key benefits include:

• • A two-year renewable contract, which provides stability while allowing periodic review and progression based on performance.
  • A competitive tax-free salary, calibrated to rank, qualifications and experience, making these positions especially appealing for experienced chemists.
  • Free health care, including access to on-campus medical and dental clinics for you and eligible dependents.
  • Annual round-trip flight tickets to your home country, supporting regular travel and personal connections.
  • A monthly transportation allowance, helping cover local commuting and day-to-day mobility needs.

In addition, the university provides:

• • Free on-campus housing, with an allocated unit that includes essential utilities and maintenance, simplifying relocation and housing arrangements.
  • Partial tuition support for school-age dependents, typically augmented by a transportation allowance to designated schools, which is particularly valuable for faculty with families.
  • Two months of paid summer vacation leave, giving you time for research visits, conferences, writing projects or personal travel.
  • End-of-service gratuity, recognising your contribution to the university at the conclusion of your employment.

Taken together, these benefits make international relocation straightforward, reduce financial uncertainty and support a comfortable, stable family life in Dhahran while you pursue your academic and research goals. When optimising internal links, this section can be connected to a page on “benefits and lifestyle for international faculty in Saudi Arabia.”

Life on the KFUPM Campus

The KFUPM campus in Dhahran offers a self-contained, family-friendly environment with a wide range of facilities that are uncommon at many universities. This integrated campus setting is one of the key attractions for faculty moving from abroad or from other regions.

Available facilities include:

• • A medical and dental clinic providing primary healthcare services close to your residence and workplace.
  • A health club with swimming pool, as well as gyms and sports courts, supporting physical well-being and work–life balance.
  • An extensive library system with strong holdings in chemistry, engineering, mathematics and related fields, along with access to major databases and electronic resources.
  • Modern computing, research and teaching laboratories, including specialised instrumentation for advanced chemical analysis, materials characterisation and process studies.
  • A recreation centre that hosts social events, family activities and community gatherings, helping newcomers integrate into campus life.
  • Access to a private beach and nearby cultural, shopping and dining options in Dhahran, Khobar and Dammam, providing opportunities for leisure, socialising and exploration.

QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for these Assistant, Associate or Full Professor in Chemistry roles, applicants are expected to meet several core criteria that reflect international standards for research-intensive universities. These expectations help ensure that incoming faculty can contribute effectively to KFUPM’s research and teaching mission from the outset.

The essential requirements include:

• • A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field from a recognised institution.
  • A strong research record, demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, impactful projects and, where applicable, patents or industrial collaborations.
  • Clear potential for high-impact, sustained research, appropriate to the academic rank for which you are applying.
  • A demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Additional assets that can strengthen your application include:

• • Industrial experience in sectors such as petrochemicals, energy, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals or environmental technologies, which can enrich both your teaching and your research.
  • An interdisciplinary research background linking chemistry with engineering, materials science, environmental science, data science or related fields.
  • Strong communication skills in English and experience working in international, multicultural teams, which is especially important in KFUPM’s globalised academic environment.

Candidates at the Associate and Full Professor levels are generally expected to show evidence of sustained leadership, successful supervision of graduate students and a record of securing competitive research funding. For internal linking, this section can connect to a broader resource on “eligibility criteria for chemistry professorships in the Middle East.”

We Are HIRING: How to Apply

The Chemistry Department accepts applications through the KFUPM faculty jobs portal. The portal lists current openings and provides a structured online application system. Applicants can also track deadlines, required documents, and the status of their submissions.

Typical application materials include:

1. 1. A cover letter indicating the rank you are applying for (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor) and summarising your fit with the advertised areas.
   2. A comprehensive curriculum vitae, including a full list of publications, grants, patents, awards and professional activities.
   3. A research statement, outlining past achievements and future plans, including potential collaborations and how your work aligns with KFUPM’s strategic priorities.
   4. A teaching statement, describing your teaching philosophy, course interests, classroom experience and any innovative practices you have adopted.
   5. Contact details for referees who can provide informed letters addressing your research, teaching and professional conduct.

Shortlisted candidates are typically invited for an online or on-campus interview. During this stage, they usually give a research seminar, discuss their teaching approach, and meet with faculty and academic leadership. Overall, the process aims to evaluate academic strength, teaching readiness, and fit within the department and the wider university.

When preparing your cover letter and statements, it also helps to consult internal guides such as “How to Write a Strong Academic Research Statement” or “Tips for Successful Chemistry Faculty Applications.”

Why This Opportunity Matters for Your Chemistry Career

Joining KFUPM as an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in Chemistry offers a strong path to a long-term academic career. The university is research-intensive and internationally visible. For chemists seeking both scientific impact and lifestyle benefits, these roles are especially appealing.

By accepting a faculty role in the Chemistry Department, you will:

• • Work within a top-ranked university in the region that enjoys strong global visibility and growing research impact.
  • Build a long-term, well-supported academic career in a tax-free environment with excellent benefits and campus facilities.
  • Access state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced instrumentation and a network of research centres that can elevate your work to the next level.
  • Collaborate with leading industrial and research partners on projects that address real-world challenges in energy, sustainability, materials and environmental protection.
  • Contribute directly to educating the next generation of scientists and engineers who will help shape the future of the energy transition and related sectors.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your academic journey, now is a great time to review the official Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Chemistry details. Then you can prepare a strong application and position yourself within a community focused on high-quality teaching, impactful research, and meaningful innovation. For up-to-date information on openings and application steps, visit the official KFUPM Chemistry faculty positions page.

Quick Overview: Chemistry Faculty Positions at KFUPM

Feature	Details
Program Name	Assistant, Associate and Full Professor Positions in Chemistry at KFUPM
Host Country	Saudi Arabia (Middle East, Gulf region)
Funded By	King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
Duration	Two-year renewable faculty contract with potential for long-term academic career progression
Study Mode	Full-time, on-campus teaching, research and academic service
Eligibility	PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a closely related field, with strong research and teaching record
Financial Support	Tax-free salary, free housing, health care, annual flights, transport allowance, tuition support, leave, gratuity
Fields of Study	Physical, Organic, Inorganic, Analytical and Industrial Chemistry
Deadline	Rolling recruitment; main shortlisting rounds typically fall around March 2026 and October 2026 (we will update soon)
Official Website	Click here

References

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)

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