Energy Transition Educational Initiatives Lead

Date: Oct 3, 2026

Location: Saudi Arabia

Company: King Abdullah University of Science & Technology

Job Purpose

The Energy Transition Educational Initiatives Lead drives human capital development within the PSE division, directly aligning with KAUST’s institutional objectives and its dedicated Energy Mission. By translating advanced energy research into practical learning experiences rooted in learning & development, vocational strategy, and market intelligence, this role bridges the gap between academic theory and industry needs. Ultimately, this specialist ensures that Saudi students and professionals are equipped to seamlessly transition into vital roles that drive the Kingdom's sustainable future.

 

Major Accountabilities

Curriculum Design & Academic Transformation

  • Lead the development, execution, and continuous optimization of specialized energy transition courses covering Renewables, Energy Storage, and CCUS, etc.
  • Design and deploy practical courses, workshops, and lab-based training setups that translate fundamental academic theory into applied engineering skills.
  • Integrate globally recognized vocational and technical standards directly into student learning pathways and certification programs.

Alignment & Collaboration with KAUST Academy

  • Serve as the primary academic liaison to KAUST Academy, focusing on curriculum design, faculty engagement, and technical infrastructure, complementing the Academy's efforts in program logistics.
  • Supply the specialized academic content and lab-based frameworks that feed seamlessly into the Academy's national delivery platforms.
  • Co-design scalable, revenue-generating educational models alongside the Academy, ensuring the PSE

Division’s academic rigor and research integration remain central to all expanded offerings.

Technical, Trend Analysis & Reporting

  • Conduct market studies on local and global energy sectors to ensure the curriculum stays aligned with current workforce demands.
  • Prepare technical reports and diagnostic studies detailing evolving skill requirements, technology localization needs, and energy market forecasting for KSA.
  • Monitor the overarching effectiveness of all training programs, delivering regular KPI reports to university leadership on student impact, certification acquisition rates, and alumni career trajectories.

Outreach, Strategic Partnerships & Capacity Building

  • Serve as the primary liaison for divisional outreach activities, actively engaging with national stakeholders to expand the scale and relevance of our applied training.
  • Co-design and execute customized, industry-aligned training models (e.g., KAUST Battery School) and Executive Education workshops targeting policymakers and senior energy sector leaders.
  • Collaborate tightly with KAUST Academy to spearhead national marketing campaigns, recruit cross-regional participants, and establish scalable, revenue-generating educational models.

Educational Innovation & Faculty Enablement

  • Integrate digital tools and advanced instructional technologies into the advanced energy curricula.
  • Support PSE faculty in adopting modern teaching methodologies and classroom technologies.
  • Collaborate on quality assurance and academic self-assessments to ensure programs meet global energy-related education standards.

 

Candidate’s Requirements

Competencies

  • Deep subject matter expertise in renewable energy, energy storage, CCUS technologies, and related fields.
  • Exceptional instructional design capabilities and a mindset geared toward bridging academic research with applied vocational training.
  • Solid analytical capability to conduct market research and author technical/strategic reports on workforce readiness.
  • Exceptional cross-functional coordination skills to engage stakeholders across academic and administrative environments.

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Engineering or a closely related STEM field.
  • Familiarity with industry-recognized certifications (e.g., NABCEP, GWO, PMP) is highly desirable.

Experience

  • 5+ years of progressive experience encompassing advanced energy research, technical development, and renewable energy-oriented research.
  • Proven track record of designing, delivering, and scaling comprehensive educational, bootcamp, or vocational training programs.
  • Direct, hands-on experience in establishing, operating, and maintaining physical training facilities/labs.
  • Demonstrated experience authoring technical reports, conducting market research, and leading outreach initiatives with external industry and government partners.
  • Experience working in a matrixed environment or managing complex inter-departmental collaborations.