150 UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Applications are now open for the UM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PDRF) 2026 at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is a funded postdoctoral position for PhD holders in Science and Technology and in Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. Fellows receive a monthly salary of RM8,000 (before statutory deductions) for UM funded appointments, plus a medical allowance and paid leave, while working full time on research with a UM supervisor.

There is no fixed deadline, because applications are accepted throughout the year. International researchers can apply, as the programme makes provisions for foreign candidates. The programme does not provide housing, so it is best described as a salaried fellowship rather than a fully funded package. The official application materials do not mention any application fee, but check the application page before you submit. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Host university: Universiti Malaya
• Host country: Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
• Degree level: Postdoctoral
• Funding type: Salaried fellowship
• Application deadline: Open throughout the year
• Open to all nationalities: Yes,
• Application fee: None

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Monthly salary: RM8,000 before statutory deductions, or RM96,000 over a 12 month appointment
• Medical support: Up to RM600 per year for outpatient and dental claims (pro rated)
• Paid leave: 25 days of annual leave and 15 days of sick leave per 12 month appointment
• Expert supervision: Work directly with an experienced UM academic in your research area
• Stronger research profile: Publish five First Author articles within one year
• Career growth: Gain experience at a top ranked university, with the option to extend up to 3 years based on performance

If your supervisor funds your position through a research grant instead of UM, the salary may differ from RM8,000. Housing and accommodation allowances are not provided unless the funding sponsor states otherwise.

Also Check: NASA Postdoctoral Program (Fully Funded Fellowship)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Hold a PhD, or a Senate approval letter for PhD conferment from a recognised university
• Have at least four (4) publications as First Author
• Show strong research potential aligned with UM’s research priorities
• Commit to full time research at Universiti Malaya
• Be attached to a UM supervisor who meets the university’s requirements

Publication Requirements

• Science and Technology: at least four (4) Q1 WoS indexed publications as First Author
• Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities: at least four (4) Scopus or ISI indexed publications as First Author

English Language Requirement

If your PhD thesis was not written in English, you must provide proof of English proficiency with one of these minimum scores:

• TOEFL: 600
• IELTS: Band 6.5

Also Check: ETH AI Center Postdoc Fellowship 2027 in Zurich, Switzerland

What You Need to Deliver:

• Publish at least five (5) articles as First Author within one year
• For Science and Technology: 5 Q1 or Q2 WoS indexed publications, with a minimum of 3 Q1 and 2 Q2
• For Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities: 5 Scopus or WoS publications
• Include this statement in every publication: “This research was supported by the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards, Universiti Malaya.”
• Submit a Progress Report Review and Monitoring Form every three months
• Complete the Authorship Consent Form if your data or manuscript began at a previous institution

Also Check: Postdoctoral Fellowships at Uppsala University 2027, Sweden

Selection Process:

1. Application submission: ongoing, with no fixed deadline
2. Application status: sent by email after review
3. Shortlisting: shortlisted candidates are notified by email
4. Interview: scheduled by the Postdoctoral Office and announced by email
5. Final offer: within 1 to 2 months after the interview
6. Start date: flexible upon acceptance

Contact Details:

• Mr. Suhaimi Sidik: [email protected]
• Mrs. Mahfuzah Md Yasin: [email protected]
• Dr. Mashitoh Abd Rahman: [email protected]
• General enquiries: [email protected]
• Phone: +60 3 7967 4698
• Address: Level 7, Research Management and Innovation Complex, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Also Check: NASA Postdoctoral Program (Fully Funded Fellowship)

How to Apply:

1. Check that you meet the eligibility criteria above.
2. Find a UM supervisor who meets the supervisor requirements and agrees to host you.
3. Complete the online Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Application Form.
4. Fill in Section I of the Referee’s Report form (your name, the position applied for and your referee’s name), then send it to your referee. They complete Section II, sign and date it.
5. If your supervisor is paying your salary from a research grant, ask them to complete the Verification Form.
6. Prepare proof of English proficiency if your PhD thesis was not written in English.
7. Submit all required documents. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Also Check: The Ludovika Fellowship Program (LFP) 2027 in Budapest, Hungary