King Abdullah University of Science and Technology: Faculty Positions: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (faculty)

Location

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Description

As part of a University-wide strategic focus on Climate and Livability, KAUST is seeking outstanding individuals to deliver impact driven research that will push the boundaries of what is known about our planet and advance the goals of this important initiative. Amongst a number of targeted faculty hires, we are inviting applications from high-caliber candidates to build an innovative program that will bring new insights, solutions and focus to the area of terrestrial ecosystem restoration, enhancement and resilience.

The Middle East is home to some of the hottest and driest environments on Earth, with the impacts of climate change expected to exacerbate the productivity and livability related challenges of both natural and urban systems. Strategies to protect, preserve and restore terrestrial ecosystems are required to arrest and reverse the rapid decline of plant, animal and microbial biodiversity in these fragile environments.

KAUST is seeking creative and ambitious faculty who can bridge multidisciplinary fields to address the diversity of climate related issues impacting the region and to develop real-world solutions that enhance the capacity of terrestrial systems to respond to present and future stressors. Potential areas of focus might include, but are not limited to: arid- and range-lands restoration; terrestrial-coastal interfaces and their interactions; sustainable land management; soils enhancement and fortification; decarbonization through nature based solutions; and ecosystem vulnerability and species distribution assessment.

About KAUST

KAUST is an international, graduate research university dedicated to advancing science and technology through interdisciplinary research, education, and innovation. KAUST attracts top faculty, scientists, engineers and students from around the world to conduct curiosity-driven and goal-oriented research to address the world’s most pressing scientific and technological challenges. Located in Saudi Arabia, on the eastern shores of the Red Sea, KAUST provides an award-winning campus to live, work, study and play. As a faculty, you will have access to superb research facilities, guaranteed baseline research funding, generous infrastructure support, entrepreneurship opportunities through our innovation and economic development focus, and highly competitive internationally benchmarked salaries.

KAUST is ranked among the top universities based on research performance and innovation outputs. According to the 2019 Normalized Nature Index rankings, KAUST was #18 globally. In Nature Index’s most recent Young Universities Rankings (2019), KAUST was #1 for institutions under 20 years of age and #6 for those under 50.

Qualifications

Candidates should possess a clear vision for delivering solutions related to ecosystem restoration, enhancement and resilience, and a desire to see these realized through demonstration and implementation. Candidates applying for a position at the Assistant Professor level should illustrate their potential for high-impact research. Candidates applying for Associate and Full Professor positions should possess a distinguished track record in research and a strong commitment to service and teaching at the graduate level.

Application Instructions

Applications should include a cover letter, a CV that includes a list of publications, and a concise statement of research vision and plans (maximum 2 pages) and teaching interests (1 page). The names and contact details of at least three (and up to five) referees is also requested. While the position is open rank, there is a preference for junior candidates. Applications will be evaluated as soon as they are received, with the position remaining open until it is filled.

The successful candidate will likely have a primary affiliation with the Plant Sciences program, although there is an expectation for multi-disciplinary engagement across campus. Further information about KAUST academic programs, research activities, and community life can be found at www.kaust.edu.sa.

Enquiries related to this position can be addressed to Prof Matthew McCabe, Director of the Climate and Livability Initiative via email to climate@kaust.edu.sa