Science & Engineering Track
This track is designed for those who have a keen interest in scientific exploration, engineering solutions, and maintaining state-of-the-art facilities to support groundbreaking research and innovation.
This Tack has two streams
Facilities Management
Core Labs
Facilities Management
Overview
This stream is designed for engineers or architects interested in working on major development projects.
Facilities Management is responsible for building and maintaining all KAUST facilities, as well as providing innovative and modern solutions that improve productivity and quality of life.
Qualifications
- Degree: BA or MA in Architecture | Electrical Engineering
If you are skilled at using MS Office and are able to perform engineering analyses and design, this stream is for you.
Opportunities
Trainees in this department will undergo comprehensive training covering various aspects of construction safety, quality assurance, and quality control. They will gain proficiency in planning activities, becoming familiar with design and engineering processes, and developing cost estimates, scopes, budgets, and schedules for projects. Additionally, trainees will acquire skills in project supervision during both the design and construction phases. They will also have the opportunity to engage with external design firms and contractors, overseeing their work to ensure alignment with project objectives and standards.
Degree Required: Architecture
Facilities Management is responsible for planning, developing and project managing all facilities at KAUST.
Trainees in this department will play a pivotal role in managing KAUST’s electrical infrastructure and associated network. Their responsibilities will include coordinating power outages and network operations in collaboration with the Saudi Electricity Company, as well as overseeing the maintenance schedule of network assets. They will conduct audits of the electrical service provider’s performance according to agreed contracts and actively participate in master plan studies, analyses, designs, and construction related to electrical systems.
Moreover, trainees will review and update maintenance tasks for electrical equipment suppliers and clients, providing support during emergency operation situations such as power outages and system abnormalities. They will also contribute to auditing electricity invoices and attend commissioning and pre-commissioning activities for new projects. Additionally, they will play a key role in reviewing electrical system studies using the ETAP (Electrical System Transient Program), ensuring the integrity and efficiency of KAUST’s electrical infrastructure.
Degree Required: Electrical Engineering
Core Labs
Overview
This stream is designed for those who are passionate about scientific exploration and innovation.
The Core Labs department at KAUST is a system of interconnected multidisciplinary laboratories located on the KAUST campus. With a total of 12 labs, these facilities are dedicated to advancing the scientific ambitions of the University, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the international research community.
Qualifications
- Degree: BA or MA in Computer Software Engineering | Electromechanical Technology | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Chemical Engineering | Physics | Chemistry | Biology | Biological Sciences | Biomedical Sciences | Cellular & Molecular Biology | Marine Biology
If you are skilled at using MS Office, Python, and have basic project management skills, this stream is for you.
Opportunities
Prototyping & Product Development
Imaging & Characterization
Bioscience
Coastal & Marine Resources
Nanofabrication
Prototyping & Product Development Core Lab
The Prototyping and Product Development Core Lab provides well-equipped spaces to support fabrication projects ranging from micro sized to complex product development. They offer full service expertise in computer aided design and reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, electronics, machining, CNC computer aided programming, scientific glassblowing, welding, woodworking and more.
Trainees in this opportunity will work on designing and fabricating printed circuit boards from concept to prototype. They will also be involved in creating virtual instrumentation and control systems using LabVIEW, collaborating with the team to integrate hardware and software components seamlessly.
Furthermore, trainees will gain practical experience in developing embedded software for real-time control and monitoring applications. They will actively contribute to projects involving control systems, which may include designing and implementing control algorithms, testing system performance, and providing automation and control solutions. Additionally, they will conduct Root Cause Analysis to identify and address issues at their source, contributing to the continuous improvement of processes and systems.
Moreover, trainees will play a role in the lab’s digital transformation efforts, proposing and implementing innovative ideas and solutions aligned with the principles of the 4th industrial revolution. They will have opportunities to lead or participate in projects from planning to execution, presenting project updates and findings to peers, mentors, and stakeholders.
Degree Required: Computer Software Engineering
Trainees in this opportunity will undergo hands-on training in a variety of prototyping methods, including 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser cutting. They will gain proficiency in utilizing prototyping tools and software to effectively bring their designs to life. Additionally, trainees will become acquainted with the stages of product development, from conceptualization to the final product. They will acquire knowledge about different materials and their properties, as well as considerations regarding manufacturing processes and their impact on product design.
Furthermore, trainees will be involved in conducting tests and experiments to validate product designs, ensuring functionality and performance meet requirements. They will actively engage in communication and collaboration with stakeholders to gather feedback and incorporate necessary changes.
Degree Required: Mechanical Engineering
Trainees in this opportunity will engage in an innovative and high-impact design project for CCRC and ACWA Power. This project offers a unique chance to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in environmental sustainability. They will also work with seasoned mechanical design engineers and gain hands-on experience in various design and engineering challenges.
Degree Required: Mechanical Engineering
Imaging & Characterization Core Lab
The Imaging and Characterization Core Lab houses state-of-the-art technologies in the disciplines of electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, physical characterization, surface science, and optical microscopy.
Trainees in this opportunity will provide technical and scientific support for SEM-EDX analysis activities, TEM analysis activities, and EM sample preparation, including metallic and carbon coating. Additionally, they will participate in daily lab tasks such as Liquid Nitrogen refilling, gas cylinder replacement, and lab safety inspections as needed.
Learning activities will include completing three training modules provided by the EM lab and one by HSE to become an independent operator on SEM and TEM. These modules cover health and safety training for laboratory work, SEM imaging techniques, SEM-EDX chemical analysis, TEM conventional imaging, and high-resolution TEM conventional imaging for investigating materials at the nanoscale.
Furthermore, trainees will learn classical sample preparation techniques commonly used in TEM and SEM. During the initial two months, 90% of trainee activities will be focused on completing these training modules to ensure proficiency in operating SEM and TEM equipment and adhering to laboratory safety protocols
Degree Required: Physics | Chemistry
Trainees in this opportunity will be integral to ensuring the quality control of imaging resources within the optical core lab. Collaborating closely with core facility staff, they will identify, measure, record, and report key metrics essential for monitoring the performance of imaging resources.
Moreover, trainees will participate in basic training sessions for the imaging systems, offering them a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in optical microscopy, image analysis, data science, and laboratory management. Their responsibilities will include performing quality checks on optical microscopes to ensure optimal performance, developing standard operating procedures for measurement and analysis of key metrics, and collaborating with core facility staff to create web-based dashboards displaying quality control metrics.
Additionally, trainees will be tasked with documenting and maintaining records of microscope maintenance and calibration, participating in the development of protocols and procedures for microscope operation and maintenance, and providing basic training and support to users on microscopes. They will also assist in organizing and managing inventory of microscopy supplies and consumables, while staying abreast of the latest developments and advancements in optical microscopy techniques to contribute effectively to the lab’s operations.
Degree Required: Biological and Biomedical Sciences | Cellular & Molecular Biology
Trainees in this opportunity will collaborate closely with EM scientific staff within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and multicultural environment. They will receive training in various techniques for sample preparation of biological materials and gain foundational knowledge in biological electron microscopy analysis, encompassing both Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Furthermore, trainees will actively contribute to ongoing scientific projects focused on the characterization of cells, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
Degree Required: Biology | Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Trainees in this opportunity will assist in developing customized software workflows to unlock new insights in technological, natural, and biological sciences. They will collaborate closely with EM scientific staff in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and multicultural environment, and contribute to the development of Python-based scripting workflows tailored to control electron-optics systems and detectors. These customized workflows aim to enhance data collection processes, enabling faster, more flexible, and efficient data acquisition.
Degree Required: Computer Science | Physics
Bioscience Core Lab
The Bioscience Core Lab provides a state-of-the-art facility to support genomic and proteomic studies. They offer expertise ranging from project planning, experimental design, sample preparation, instrumentation, sequencing / mass spectrometry analysis, and downstream data analysis.
Trainees in this opportunity will assist in preparing DNA and RNA samples for sequencing, which involves nucleic acid quantification and quality assessment to ensure compliance with required standards for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). They will actively participate in the preparation of sequencing libraries from various sample types, adhering to specific protocols tailored for different NGS applications such as whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq, and metabarcoding.
Additionally, trainees will support library quantification and quality assessment utilizing various techniques including spectrophotometry, fluorometry, automated electrophoresis systems, and quantitative PCR. They will undergo training to operate NGS platforms such as Illumina MiSeq and NovaSeq6000 under supervision, performing tasks such as sample loading, run setup, and monitoring sequencing progress and quality metrics.
Moreover, trainees will maintain meticulous records of experimental protocols and results, preparing reports and presentations to effectively communicate findings to team members as required. They will also conduct literature reviews as necessary to support project planning, gain insights into experiment contexts, and stay abreast of advancements in NGS technologies and methodologies.
Degree Required: Biological | Biomedical Sciences
Coastal & Marine Resources core lab
The Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab is a complete marine station specializing in marine operations, oceanographic instrumentation, and wet lab experimentation. It operates a fleet of boats and Saudi Arabia’s first fully-equipped research vessel, the RV Thuwal.
Trainees in this opportunity will be responsible for preparing and maintaining marine instruments and sensors to ensure their accuracy and reliability. They will collect marine data using various instruments and analyze the gathered data to draw meaningful conclusions. Additionally, they will install, troubleshoot, and maintain marine instrumentation equipment on research vessels, buoys, or other marine platforms.
Furthermore, trainees will collaborate closely with marine scientists and researchers to understand their data requirements and contribute to experimental design. They will conduct testing procedures on marine instruments and sensors to verify functionality and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Detailed records of instrumentation activities, including calibration schedules, maintenance logs, and data analysis reports, will be meticulously maintained.
Moreover, trainees will provide on-site support during marine research expeditions, ensuring that instrumentation operates optimally in challenging environments. They will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers to design, develop, and implement new marine instrumentation technologies.
Degree Required: Electromechanical Technology | Computer Software Engineering
Trainees in this opportunity will participate in various routine laboratory activities, including water quality analysis, monitoring the health of marine organisms, and overseeing the seawater discharge monitoring program. Additionally, they will be responsible for recording data, conducting statistical analyses, and creating graphical presentations tailored to user requirements.
Furthermore, trainees will provide assistance to ensure SeaLABS compliance with AAALAC accreditation standards, contributing to the maintenance of high-quality research standards and ethical practices within the laboratory setting.
Degree Required: Marine Biology | Chemistry
Nanofabrication Core lab
The Nanofabrication Core Lab provides expertise in the fabrication and characterization of micro- and nano-scale devices. To maintain the level of cleanliness required by the cleanroom operations related to fabrication of such a small-scale structures, the requirements of specific standard ISO 14644 are strictly observed and enforced, special attention being directed toward actions to avoid/minimize contamination.
Trainees in this opportunity will undertake general laboratory training to gain familiarity with and understanding of the intricacies of a Nanofabrication cleanroom environment. As they progress, they will become involved in more complex engineering tasks, learning about Lithography and ‘dry’ plasma etching processes, as well as the maintenance related to these activities and tools.
Additionally, trainees will provide assistance to staff and lab users on chemical stocks and laboratory housekeeping. They will offer process support in the lithography and etching areas, assisting the equipment team in troubleshooting equipment issues and repairing faults in highly complex and expensive cleanroom tools.
Moreover, trainees will collaborate with NCL Scientists to develop a process for microscale patterning, focusing on high-resolution lithography and Atomic Layer Etch for Gallium Oxide.
Degree Required: Electrical | Chemical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering
