The Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division at KAUST is where deep science meets real-world innovation. Its five graduate programs — spanning Earth, materials, chemicals, mechanics, and processes — are designed to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges, from sustainable energy to advanced manufacturing. With world-class faculty, cutting-edge laboratories, and strong industry links, PSE is a launchpad for the next generation of scientific pioneers.
At the heart of molecular innovation, the CHEM program explores how atoms can be arranged and rearranged to build the future. Research areas include catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, and spectroscopy — fueling advances in energy, health, and environmental remediation.
The CE program addresses the grand challenges of the chemical process industries, with a focus on sustainability, scale-up, and systems design. Students work at the interface of reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and process modeling to enable cleaner fuels, efficient separations, and circular manufacturing.
The ESSE program investigates Earth’s dynamic systems — from crust to climate. Students develop tools to model subsurface flows, assess seismic risks, and explore natural resources. Research spans fault mechanics, induced seismicity, geochemistry, and carbon storage — laying the scientific groundwork for a sustainable future on a changing planet.
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