Science & Engineering Track
For Elevate trainees, this track offers hands-on experience working alongside scientists and engineers, contributing to advanced research projects while gaining exposure to how scientific innovations are developed, prototyped, and translated into solutions that address global challenges.
Opportunities
Research Translation
Core Labs
Research Translation
Overview
The KAUST Research Translation and Partnerships (RTP) Office helps transform research discoveries into real-world solutions and strategic collaborations. Working closely with researchers and external partners, RTP evaluates research outcomes, identifies opportunities for collaboration, and supports partnerships that amplify the impact of KAUST research. Through engagement with industry and global institutions, RTP accelerates the translation of innovative ideas into technologies and solutions that support scientific progress and economic development.
Opportunities
This opportunity places trainees at the intersection of electronics, prototyping, and healthcare innovation. Working with KAUST’s research translation team, participants help design and develop electronic systems for health-monitoring and biomedical applications, moving ideas from early concept to functional prototype. The role offers hands-on exposure to circuit design, breadboarding, PCB development, embedded firmware, lab validation, and interdisciplinary system integration. Trainees learn how engineering decisions affect usability, performance, and manufacturability while collaborating with specialists who translate research into real-world solutions. It is a strong fit for graduates who want practical experience in electronics development, medical technology prototyping, and the process of turning research concepts into working devices.
Degree Required: BA degree in Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering
This opportunity gives trainees the chance to contribute to the mechanical development of next-generation biomedical sensing technologies. Participants support the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of prototype devices used in health-monitoring and diagnostic applications. The experience combines digital design with practical prototyping, including 3D modeling, materials selection, rapid fabrication, mechanical refinement, and validation in laboratory settings. Trainees also learn how mechanical components interface with electronics and software in complete product systems. By working closely with engineers on real development challenges, participants build practical design-for-prototyping skills and gain valuable exposure to how innovative medical devices are developed, tested, and improved before moving toward broader application.
Degree Required: BA degree in Mechanical Engineering/Industrial Engineering
Core Labs
Overview
The Core Labs at KAUST are a network of multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art laboratories that support advanced scientific research. Through the unique One Lab model, researchers and trainees have seamless access to cutting-edge technologies, specialized facilities, and expert scientists across multiple disciplines. By combining advanced equipment with expert guidance, the Core Labs enable researchers to conduct complex experiments and develop innovative scientific solutions.
Opportunities
Supercomputing Core Lab
Analytical Chemistry Core Lab
Prototyping and Product Development Core Lab
Supercomputing Core lab
The Supercomputing Core Lab proudly boasts the region’s top performing supercomputer, the Shaheen II Cray XC40. We also house computing clusters for computationally-based scientific and engineering research. Working in tandem with diverse researchers across campus, our high performance computing facility plays a pivotal role in KAUST’s multi-disciplinary research ecosystem.
This opportunity is ideal for trainees who want to build a real AI product while mastering the full machine learning lifecycle. Trainees develop an intelligent Q&A assistant for the KAUST Supercomputing Lab by transforming technical documentation, guides, and FAQs into a production-ready AI system. The experience spans data preparation, model fine-tuning, evaluation, workflow automation, cloud deployment, and user interface design. Participants gain hands-on exposure to Kubeflow, LoRA-based model adaptation, hyperparameter optimization, MLOps practices, and scalable deployment on Google Cloud. By the end of the program, trainees will have contributed to a fully functional AI assistant and learned how to design, deploy, and document an end-to-end AI solution.
Degree Required: BA degree in Computer Science/Software Engineering
Analytical Chemistry Core Lab
The Analytical Chemistry Core Lab specializes in analyzing inorganic and organic components in solid and liquid materials. Its capabilities include elemental and molecular composition analysis, as well as thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical property characterization. Equipped with advanced mass spectrometry instruments, the lab supports high-impact research in proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, petroleomics, and isotope ratio analysis.
This opportunity immerses trainees in the operation of advanced instruments used to understand the elemental composition of materials across environmental, industrial, and biological applications. Working alongside experienced scientific staff in Core Labs, participants learn essential laboratory practices, sample preparation techniques, and the use of state-of-the-art analytical tools such as XRF, ICP-OES, and thermal analysis systems. The role combines technical training with exposure to real research and service workflows, allowing trainees to contribute to routine analysis and selected project-based work. This experience is well suited to graduates who want to strengthen their laboratory capability, build confidence with sophisticated instrumentation, and explore applied analytical chemistry in a multidisciplinary environment.
Degree Required: BA degree in Chemistry
Prototyping and Product Development Core Lab
The Prototyping and Product Development Core Lab (PCL) provides well-equipped spaces to support fabrication projects ranging from micro sized to complex product development. We offer mentorship, apprenticeship, training and full service expertise in computer aided design and reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, electronics, machining, CNC computer aided programming, scientific glassblowing, welding, woodworking and more.
This opportunity introduces trainees to modern prototype development through a blend of additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and practical engineering workflows. Participants gain hands-on exposure to hybrid fabrication, design-for-additive-manufacturing (DfAM) practices, and real prototype builds. Trainees support CAD model preparation, assist with fabrication setup and monitoring, and contribute to post-processing and documentation for active engineering projects. Working alongside engineers, participants learn how prototypes move from digital design to physical product. This placement is ideal for graduates interested in mechanical design, advanced manufacturing, and hands-on prototyping.
Degree Required: BA degree in Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics Engineering
This opportunity provides hands-on experience in electronics fabrication and system integration within a multidisciplinary prototyping environment. Trainees support PCB assembly, subsystem wiring, firmware loading, and structured testing of prototype electronics. Participants gain experience in debugging, system bring-up, and performance validation while contributing to multiple prototype cycles. The role also emphasizes disciplined engineering documentation and testing practices. This placement is well suited for graduates interested in embedded systems, electronics prototyping, and building functional engineering solutions through collaborative development.
Degree Required: BA degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering/Computer Engineering
