Dear Colleagues,
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals - KFUPM Business School (KBS) is now accepting applications to its PhD in Business Administration, a full-time, research-intensive doctoral program designed to prepare scholars for faculty careers and advanced research roles at research-oriented universities.
This upcoming intake marks the first cohort of the KBS PhD program, offering a rare opportunity to join a small, selective group of doctoral researchers and help shape the research culture of a rising global research university.
π Why KFUPM?
KFUPM is ranked #67 worldwide (QS World University Rankings) and is consistently recognized among the top three universities across the MENA region and the Arab world. It is also globally distinguished for research impact and innovation, including a leading position in registered U.S. patents.
Located in Dhahran (Eastern Province), at the heart of Saudi Arabia's scientific and industrial ecosystems, KFUPM offers a safe, campus-centered, and highly supportive environment for doctoral research, with strong infrastructure, excellent quality of life, and easy international connectivity. Since its inception, the university has played a central role in national and regional transformation, providing exceptional opportunities for impactful, policy-relevant, and industry-engaged research.
π Program focus
This PhD is a research apprenticeship offering specializations across all core areas of management research: Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, and Strategy, with a strong emphasis on theory-driven, empirical research.
The program also features:
β’ Small, selective cohorts
β’ Close faculty mentorship
β’ Strong training in theory and advanced research methods
β’ Strong support for publishable, high-quality scholarship
πΌ Funding & support
Admitted PhD students receive a full scholarship, including:
β Generous monthly stipend | β No tuition fees | β Free furnished on-campus housing
β Medical & dental care | β Conference & research funding
β Access to world-class research institutes and interdisciplinary centers
π€ Who should apply
We seek candidates with clear research interests, strong quantitative preparation, and evidence of research readiness, aligned with KBS faculty expertise. Applications are open to exceptional undergraduate and master's degree holders with strong academic preparation and research potential.
KFUPM welcomes applications from candidates of all genders and backgrounds and is home to one of the largest female student populations in engineering worldwide.
Additional PhD tracks are offered in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems & Analytics, Operations & Supply Chain Management, and Marketing.
π Apply: https://cgis.kfupm.edu.sa/
π© Program inquiries: kbs-gp@kfupm.edu.sa
If you feel you are a good fit for the program and have additional questions, feel free to reach out to elaf.basri@kfupm.edu.sa (Assistant Professor of Management & Organizational Behavior)
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Dr. Elaf Basri
Assistant Professor of Management & Organizational Behavior
Department of Management and Marketing
KFUPM Business School
Office: 24/212 | King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Academic Belt Road, KFUPM, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 31261
Elaf.Basri@kfupm.edu.sa
kbs.kfupm.edu.sa/profile/elaf-basri
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