Universiti Malaya Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026 | 150 UM PDRF Awards in Malaysia

Recruitment Details:
Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia has announced applications for the 150 UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards under the UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme (UM PDRF). The fellowship is intended for exceptional and visionary early-career postdoctoral researchers from around the world who wish to conduct advanced research at one of Asia’s leading research universities.

Universiti Malaya is recognized internationally and holds a position among the leading universities globally, ranked 58th in QS World University Rankings and 12th in QS Asia University Rankings. Through this fellowship programme, the university aims to attract highly qualified researchers and strengthen international research collaboration.

Recruitment Name: 150 UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards 2026
Notification Number: Not Mentioned
Hosting Institution: Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia
Programme Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Total Fellowship Positions: 150 Awards

Important Dates:
Starting Date of Application: Applications Open

Vacancy Details (Subject / Field Wise):

Science & Technology Areas:

• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Biotechnology
• Medical Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Environmental Science
• Data Science
• Technology and Innovation

Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities Areas:

• Social Sciences
• Arts
• Humanities
• Management
• Commerce
• Interdisciplinary Research

Total Available Fellowships: 150

Eligibility Criteria:

Educational Qualification:
Candidates must possess a Ph.D. degree awarded by a recognized institution within the last five years.

Publication Requirements:

For Science & Technology (S&T):
Minimum four (4) Q1 Web of Science (WoS) indexed publications as First Author.

For Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities (SSAH):
Minimum four (4) Scopus/ISI indexed publications as First Author.

English Language Requirement:
Applicants whose PhD thesis was written in a language other than English must submit one of the following:

• TOEFL Score: Minimum 600
  OR
• IELTS Score: Minimum 6.5

Supervisor Requirement:
Applicants must identify and secure a prospective Supervisor or Principal Investigator at University Malaya whose research interests match the proposed research area.

Salary / Fellowship Benefits:
Annual Fellowship Salary: RM 96,000
Payment Mode: Monthly Payment Structure
Additional Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical coverage
• International research environment
• Access to advanced research facilities
• Opportunity for collaborative and interdisciplinary research

Duration of Fellowship:
International Candidates: Normally 12 Months (subject to visa requirements)
Local Candidates: 6–12 Months
Extension: Possible based on performance and achievement of KPIs

How to Apply:
Step 1: Visit the official Universiti Malaya research portal.
Step 2: Review fellowship eligibility and requirements.
Step 3: Identify a suitable supervisor at Universiti Malaya.
Step 4: Prepare academic documents, publication records and supporting certificates.
Step 5: Complete the online application form.
Step 6: Upload required documents.
Step 7: Submit the application through the official application portal.

Applicants should regularly check the official portal for updates regarding deadlines and fellowship announcements.

About University:
University Malaya (UM) is Malaysia’s oldest public research university and one of the most prestigious institutions in Asia. The university is internationally known for excellence in teaching, innovation, and high-impact research. UM attracts students and researchers from across the world and provides an advanced academic environment supported by modern infrastructure, global collaborations, and interdisciplinary research opportunities.

Official Website: https://umresearch.um.edu.my/

Source: https://umresearch.um.edu.my/join-us/post-doctoral-fellowship/