Job Description

Faculty Position in Climate Science – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

The Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) invites applications for a Climate Science Faculty Position within the Earth Systems Science and Engineering Program in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.

The position focuses on climate dynamics and Earth system modeling, particularly processes relevant to arid and hyperarid regions such as the Arabian Peninsula.

KAUST seeks outstanding researchers working on atmospheric dynamics, climate variability, extreme weather, seasonal predictability, dust–aerosol–cloud interactions, air–sea interactions, and advanced climate modeling.

The University also welcomes candidates developing and applying advanced Earth system and climate models using multiphysics simulations, machine-learning-enhanced modeling, stochastic parameterizations, and related approaches.

Relevant research applications include improved regional climate projections and climate-risk assessment.

Applicants must hold a PhD, demonstrate research excellence through impactful publications or relevant industrial achievements, possess excellent English communication skills, and demonstrate the ability to establish and lead a rigorous research program.

Institution: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Division: Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)
Program: Earth Systems Science and Engineering
Position: Faculty Position in Climate Science
Location: Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Minimum Qualification: PhD
Application Opening Date: 1 November 2026
Application Deadline: 31 December 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Application System: Interfolio

About King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is an international graduate research university dedicated to advancing science and technology through interdisciplinary research, education, and innovation.

Located on the western shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, KAUST provides a research environment supporting scientific discovery and technological development.

According to the University’s advertisement, KAUST ranked first in the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings for three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025.

The University offers:

• Advanced research facilities.
• Generous baseline research funding.
• Internationally competitive salaries.
• Living conditions designed to accommodate individuals and families.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary research and innovation.

Further information about KAUST is available at:

https://www.kaust.edu.sa

About the Physical Science and Engineering Division

The Physical Science and Engineering Division supports research and education across five academic programs:

1. Chemical Engineering.
2. Chemistry.
3. Earth Systems Science and Engineering.
4. Materials Science and Engineering & Applied Physics.
5. Mechanical Engineering.

The Division is recruiting faculty members in research areas relevant to the energy transition and sustainability-focused industrial development.

The identified strategic priorities include:

• Climate.
• Carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
• Critical minerals.
• Energy efficiency.
• Renewable energy technologies.
• Sustainable fuels.

Within this broader recruitment initiative, the Climate Science Faculty Position is located in the Earth Systems Science and Engineering Program.

Further information about the PSE Division:

https://pse.kaust.edu.sa

Climate Science Faculty Position – Research Focus

The position focuses on understanding climate processes and developing advanced models of the Earth system.

Particular emphasis is placed on research relevant to arid and hyperarid environments, including the Arabian Peninsula.

The University welcomes applicants working across several complementary research areas.

1. Large-Scale Atmospheric Dynamics and Climate Variability

KAUST is interested in candidates investigating large-scale atmospheric processes and their influence on regional and global climate.

Relevant topics include:

• Large-scale atmospheric dynamics.
• Climate variability.
• Atmospheric teleconnections.
• Extreme weather.
• Seasonal climate predictability.

Research in these areas may contribute to improved understanding of climate behaviour and variability in arid regions.

2. Dust, Aerosols, Clouds, and Solar Radiation

Another area of interest concerns interactions among:

• Atmospheric dust.
• Aerosols.
• Clouds.
• Solar radiation.

These interacting processes are particularly relevant to the climatic conditions of desert and arid environments.

Candidates investigating these atmospheric interactions are encouraged to apply.

3. Air–Sea Interactions and Regional Climate

The University welcomes research examining the role of air–sea interactions in shaping regional climate.

This area includes investigation of relationships between atmospheric and oceanic processes and their influence on climate conditions.

The position provides opportunities to study climate processes relevant to regions such as the Arabian Peninsula.

4. Advanced Earth System and Climate Modeling

KAUST also welcomes candidates developing and applying advanced computational approaches to climate and Earth system modeling.

Relevant methods include:

Multiphysics Simulations

Advanced simulations incorporating interacting physical processes within climate and Earth system models.

Machine-Learning-Enhanced Modeling

The development or application of machine learning approaches to improve climate and Earth system modeling.

Stochastic Parameterizations

The use of stochastic parameterizations in advanced climate modeling frameworks.

Candidates using these or other relevant modeling approaches may contribute to improved climate simulations and scientific understanding.

Machine learning is one welcomed methodological approach, not a mandatory requirement for every applicant.

5. Regional Climate Projections and Climate-Risk Assessment

Relevant applications of the advertised research areas include:

• Improved regional climate projections.
• Climate-risk assessment.

The University is particularly interested in work that advances understanding of climate processes relevant to arid and hyperarid regions.

Research Expectations

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to establish and lead a rigorous research program.

KAUST seeks applicants with an established record of research excellence.

The advertisement recognises two forms of evidence:

• Impactful research publications.
• Industrial experience demonstrated through intellectual property and product development.

Accordingly, candidates may demonstrate research excellence through scholarly publications or relevant industrial innovation achievements.

The advertisement does not specify:

• A minimum number of publications.
• Mandatory journal quartiles.
• Citation thresholds.
• A minimum h-index.
• A required amount of previous research funding.
• A minimum number of patents.

Candidates should present evidence of research achievement relevant to their background.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements.

PhD Degree

Candidates must hold a PhD degree.

The advertisement does not prescribe a specific doctoral discipline, although applicants must demonstrate research expertise relevant to the advertised Climate Science position.

Research Excellence

Applicants must demonstrate a track record of research excellence through either:

• Impactful publications; or
• Industrial experience demonstrated by intellectual property and product development.

This distinction is important because the advertisement explicitly recognises industrial innovation achievements as an alternative form of evidence.

English Communication Skills

Excellent oral and written English communication skills are required.

The advertisement does not specify a mandatory IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent examination score.

Research Program Leadership

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to establish and lead a rigorous research program.

This is an explicit qualification requirement.

Academic Rank and Appointment

The position is advertised as a faculty appointment in Climate Science.

However, the source does not specify whether the appointment will be at:

• Assistant Professor.
• Associate Professor.
• Full Professor.

It also does not state whether the appointment is tenure-track or tenured.

Applicants should consult the official recruitment listing or KAUST’s faculty recruitment team for further information about the academic rank and appointment arrangements.

Research Environment and Support

KAUST describes its research environment as offering:

• Advanced research infrastructure.
• Generous baseline research funding.
• Interdisciplinary research opportunities.
• Internationally competitive salaries.
• Living conditions suitable for individuals and families.

The advertisement does not provide a specific salary range, baseline funding amount, housing allowance, or contract duration.

These details should be confirmed through the University’s recruitment process.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must complete an online application through the Interfolio application system.

The following materials are required.

1. Cover Letter

A cover letter supporting the applicant’s candidacy for the Climate Science faculty position.

2. Curriculum Vitae

A current CV that includes a list of publications.

3. Research Plan

A research plan outlining the applicant’s proposed research.

Maximum length: 5 pages, including references.

Applicants must ensure that the complete document, including its reference list, does not exceed the stated limit.

4. Teaching Statement

A statement describing the applicant’s approach to teaching.

Maximum length: 2 pages, including references.

5. Potential Referees

Contact information for at least five potential referees.

For each referee, applicants must provide:

• Name.
• Affiliation.
• Email address.

The advertisement requests referee contact information rather than stating that five reference letters must be uploaded at the initial application stage.

6. Five Most Relevant Publications

Applicants must submit their five most relevant publications.

This is separate from the publication list included in the CV.

7. Citation Report

Applicants must provide a citation report from one of the following:

• Web of Science.
• Scopus.
• Google Scholar.

The advertisement does not specify a minimum citation count.

Application Deadline

31 December 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET)

The vacancy opened on 1 November 2026.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the stated time zone when preparing their submissions.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through KAUST’s faculty recruitment process using Interfolio.

Official Faculty Positions Page:

https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/about/faculty-positions

Applicants should locate the Climate Science position within the Physical Science and Engineering Division and complete the online application.

Before submitting, candidates should confirm that:

• The research plan does not exceed five pages, including references.
• The teaching statement does not exceed two pages, including references.
• At least five potential referees are identified.
• The five most relevant publications are included.
• A citation report from Web of Science, Scopus, or Google Scholar is provided.
• All other required documents have been uploaded.

The supplied advertisement identifies the KAUST faculty positions page and Interfolio as the application route but does not provide a direct vacancy-specific Interfolio URL.

Job Summary

Field	Details
Employer	King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Division	Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)
Program	Earth Systems Science and Engineering
Job Title	Faculty Position in Climate Science
Location	Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
Academic Rank	Not specified
Tenure Status	Not specified
Primary Discipline	Climate Science
Research Focus	Climate Dynamics and Earth System Modeling
Geographical Research Relevance	Arid and hyperarid regions, including the Arabian Peninsula
Atmospheric Research Areas	Atmospheric Dynamics, Climate Variability, Teleconnections, Extreme Weather, Seasonal Predictability
Atmospheric Interactions	Dust, Aerosols, Clouds, Solar Radiation
Other Research Areas	Air–Sea Interactions and Regional Climate
Modeling Approaches	Multiphysics Simulations, Machine-Learning-Enhanced Modeling, Stochastic Parameterizations
Research Applications	Regional Climate Projections, Climate-Risk Assessment
Minimum Qualification	PhD
Research Excellence	Impactful publications or industrial achievements through intellectual property and product development
English Language	Excellent oral and written communication
Research Leadership	Ability to establish and lead a rigorous research program
Research Facilities	Advanced research infrastructure
Research Funding	Generous baseline research funding advertised
Salary	Internationally competitive; amount not specified
Contract Duration	Not specified
Start Date	Not specified
Required Documents	Cover Letter, CV with Publication List, Research Plan, Teaching Statement, Referee Contacts, Five Relevant Publications, Citation Report
Research Plan Limit	5 pages, including references
Teaching Statement Limit	2 pages, including references
Referees	At least five potential referees
Citation Report	Web of Science, Scopus, or Google Scholar
Application System	Interfolio
Opening Date	1 November 2026
Application Deadline	31 December 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Official Application Information	https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/about/faculty-positions