Dr. Max Frenzel Appointed Assistant Professor in Earth Systems Science

KAUST proudly welcomes Dr. Max Frenzel as Assistant Professor in the Earth Systems Science and Engineering (ESSE) program within the Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division. Frenzel leads the new Mineral Exploration and Exploitation Group (M[Ex]²), a lab focused on identifying critical mineral resources, improving extraction methods, and supporting the global clean energy transition.

Academic Background and Research Expertise

Originally from Germany, Dr. Frenzel brings international experience from:

• Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, where he led the Economic Geology and Geometallurgy Group (2021–2025)
• A postdoctoral position at the University of Adelaide, Australia
• Guest lecturing roles at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

He has secured over €1.9 million in research funding and received multiple awards in geology, geochemistry, and mineral economics.

Research Focus: Smart, Sustainable Mineral Resource Development

Dr. Frenzel’s work addresses a global challenge: How can we meet the growing demand for minerals—ethically, efficiently, and sustainably?

His research spans the entire lifecycle of mineral resources:

• Ore formation and underground characterization
• Mineralogical and geochemical modeling
• Geometallurgy and processing optimization
• Supply chain modeling and material flow analysis
• Global econometric assessments of mineral availability

By integrating data science, geology, and economics, Frenzel proposes smarter methods for exploration, mining, and resource security.

Enabling the Global Clean Energy Transition

Technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles depend on rare and critical metals. Dr. Frenzel’s research helps:

• Discover new deposits of strategic minerals (e.g., lithium, cobalt, REEs)
• Optimize extraction and reduce environmental impact
• Secure ethical and resilient supply chains

His work aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its ambitions in critical mineral production.

Focus on Saudi Arabia’s Geological Potential

“There’s so much potential here. The geology is amazing but still underexplored. We have a real opportunity to discover new deposits and make mining more efficient and sustainable.” — Dr. Max Frenzel

At KAUST, he will:

• Map and model Saudi Arabia’s mineral wealth
• Collaborate with local mining companies and authorities
• Use AI, remote sensing, and geostatistics for exploration

Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Work

Frenzel is partnering across KAUST, including with:

• Chemical Engineering (CE)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)
• Materials Science and Applied Physics (MSAP)
• Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences (AMCS)
• Statistics (STAT)

“Today’s research has to be deeply collaborative. Solving these problems requires combining knowledge from multiple disciplines.” — Dr. Frenzel

Personal Reflections

“The first thing I’ll probably do when I arrive at KAUST is fall asleep,” he jokes. “But after that—I want to watch the sunset at North Beach, hike the Saudi mountains, and maybe find some fossils.”

Frenzel’s guiding principle is drawn from Descartes: “De omnibus dubitandum” — everything must be doubted. It reflects his commitment to curiosity, critical thinking, and discovery.

A Message to Students and Collaborators

“To make change happen, you need courage, persistence, and a love for learning. If you're excited to explore, challenge what we know, and build something better — come join my group. The world needs smart solutions in the resource sector, and Saudi Arabia has a big part to play.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What does Dr. Max Frenzel specialize in?

A: Mineral exploration, geometallurgy, rare earth elements, resource economics, and sustainable mining.

Q: What is the M[Ex]² Lab?

A: A research lab at KAUST focused on discovering and modeling mineral resources to support clean energy and critical materials security.