Postdoctoral Associate – Membrane Technology for Desalination Job Vacancy in UAE Abdu Dhabi
The Division of Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Associate position in membrane technology and water treatment. This role is part of the Water Research Center and will be supervised by Professor Nidal Hilal, Global Professor of Engineering and a leading expert in sustainable desalination research.
Job Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Higher Education, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science
Function: Research and Development, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Salary: Competitive with housing and educational subsidies
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any (UAE Nationals encouraged to apply)
Candidate Current Location: Any
What Does a Postdoctoral Associate in Desalination Research Do?
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in water treatment through advanced membrane materials. You will be working on the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymeric and ceramic membranes tailored for filtration technologies such as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, membrane distillation, and ultrafiltration. The focus will be on linking fabrication techniques to performance and scalability for sustainable water purification.
What Are the Key Responsibilities?
- Develop and optimize functional nanostructured membranes for various desalination processes
- Apply advanced characterization tools including SEM, TEM, TGA, DSC, and BET
- Conduct experimental studies to understand membrane structure-property relationships
- Lead and manage research projects within a multidisciplinary team
- Collaborate on proposal writing, patent drafting, and academic publishing
- Present findings at international conferences and participate in knowledge dissemination
- Supervise graduate and undergraduate research assistants as needed
What Skills Are Needed for a Postdoctoral Role in Abu Dhabi?
Education:
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
Experience & Skills:
- Hands-on expertise in membrane fabrication (polymer and ceramic)
- Strong background in materials characterization and analytical chemistry
- Demonstrated record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to manage multiple concurrent tasks
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic research environment
What Benefits Come with This Position?
- Two-year contract starting January 2025, with renewal based on performance
- Highly competitive salary
- Housing allowance and children’s education subsidies
- Access to world-class research labs and interdisciplinary collaborations
- Dynamic, multicultural academic environment at NYUAD
- Opportunities for international networking and professional development
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following documents in PDF format:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- One-page research summary
- At least two reference letters
Applications will be accepted immediately and remain open until the position is filled. For inquiries, email Prof. Nidal Hilal at nhh2

Be part of a transformative research initiative that addresses global water challenges with sustainable innovation. Apply now to contribute to breakthrough technologies at one of the region’s top research centers.