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Research opportunities

PhD, postdoc and funded research, with a mentor beside you.

Find doctoral programmes, postdoctoral positions, scholarships and research projects worldwide. Then work with a verified expert mentor to build a strong proposal and apply with confidence.

Browse opportunities Talk to our moderator
  • Verified expert mentors
  • Supervisor-matched proposals
  • Funding-aware proposal mentoring
  • Ethics and IP protection

What we promote

Every route into funded research, in one place

From a first PhD application to a postdoctoral move, choose the path that fits your stage and discipline.

PhD admissions

Programmes in Malaysia, the UK, Ireland, Norway and more, with supervisor-matched proposals.

Explore

Postdoctoral positions

Research roles for early-career scholars, with help positioning your profile and publications.

Explore

Scholarships and fellowships

Funding calls and fellowships, with guidance on eligibility, statements and deadlines.

Explore

Research projects

Collaborative projects and calls where mentors and researchers work together.

Explore

Research courses

Training in research methods, academic writing and publication through IME Academy.

Visit IME Academy (opens in a new tab)

Visiting and short-term research

Short research stays, visiting scholar roles and international collaboration.

Ask our moderator

Featured universities

Where you can apply

Talk to our moderator

How we help

From first idea to admission-ready proposal

A verified mentor works with you at every step. The university makes the admission decision, and we never promise admission.

  1. 01

    Discover

    Explore programmes, positions and funding that fit your field and goals.

  2. 02

    Match

    Get paired with a verified mentor and shortlist supervisors in your area.

  3. 03

    Build

    Develop your research proposal and plan through milestone-based mentoring.

  4. 04

    Apply

    Prepare documents, submit your application and apply for scholarships.

  5. 05

    Prepare

    Get guidance on offers, visa documents and settling in before you travel.

Research proposal support

A proposal supervisors want to read

Strong applications start with a clear research problem. Your mentor helps you shape it, test it and match it to the right supervisor.

  • Topic selection and research gap
  • Literature review and methodology
  • Research plan and timeline
  • Supervisor shortlisting and outreach emails
  • Finding scholarships and funding that fit your proposal
Find a proposal mentor

Not sure where to start?

Talk to our moderator

Share your research idea and goals. Our moderator will suggest a suitable mentor, the universities that fit, and your next step. The first conversation is free.

  • Match with a mentor in your field
  • Shortlist universities and supervisors
  • Understand funding options
Talk to our moderator

Expert mentors

Mentors based in Malaysia

See all 18 mentors in Malaysia
Dr. Pichika Mallikarjuna Rao
Dr. Pichika Mallikarjuna Rao

Senior Academic Leader with Over 30 Years in Pharmacy Education and Research Management

Computational ChemistryChemistry +8
Malaysia Doctorate 253 publications
Prof. Aslina Baharum
Prof. Aslina Baharum

Associate Professor and AI-UX Researcher

Data ScienceMachine Learning +8
Malaysia Doctorate 252 publications
Prof. Mohammed Alias Yusof
Prof. Mohammed Alias Yusof

Professor of Civil Engineering at UPNM with expertise in blast resistance

Deep LearningAlgorithm Design +8
Malaysia Doctorate 123 publications
Dr. Amir Abdul Razak
Dr. Amir Abdul Razak

Associate Professor and Renewable Energy Expert

Automotive EngineeringIndustrial Design +8
Malaysia Doctorate 46 publications
Dr. Shaymaa Darwish
Dr. Shaymaa Darwish

Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Expert in Applied Mathematics

Applied ChemistryWater Pollution +8
Malaysia Doctorate 38 publications
Prof. Syriac Nellikunnel Devasia
Prof. Syriac Nellikunnel Devasia

Dynamic educationist and higher education leader in academic management

BankingManagement +8
Malaysia Doctorate 38 publications
Dr. Mohamad Darwish
Dr. Mohamad Darwish

Senior Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Surface ScienceIndustrial Management +8
Malaysia Doctorate 35 publications
Dr. Muhammad Norhaffis Mustafa
Dr. Muhammad Norhaffis Mustafa

Senior Lecturer in Materials Science | Energy Storage Materials, Supercapacitors, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Electrochromic Devices & Nanomaterials Research

ChemistryBusiness Education +7
Malaysia Doctorate 35 publications
Dr. Nasyra Jamil
Dr. Nasyra Jamil

Senior Lecturer and Finance Specialist in Higher Education

Sustainable DevelopmentInformation & Knowledge Management +8
Malaysia Doctorate 20 publications
Dr. Siti Aeisha Joharry
Dr. Siti Aeisha Joharry

Linguistics Expert and English Language Educator with 7+ years of Experience

Speech CommunicationCommunications +8
Malaysia Doctorate 17 publications
Dr. Fatimah Binti Pa’wan
Dr. Fatimah Binti Pa’wan

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting at HELP University, Malaysia | Human Resource Management Specialist & Academic Researcher | Expert in Talent Management, Employee Retention & Organisational Behaviour

EntrepreneurshipRecruitment & Staffing +6
Malaysia Doctorate 13 publications
Dr. Tatchanaamoorti Purnshatman Pillai
Dr. Tatchanaamoorti Purnshatman Pillai

Product Development Manager (PMO) at NCC Education UK/Malaysia | Academic Consultant & Educational Technology Expert | Specialist in AI in Education, Digital Learning, Curriculum Innovation, Academic Leadership & Research Methodology

Artificial IntelligenceMarketing Analytics +5
Malaysia Doctorate 12 publications
Dr. Zahra El Shlmani
Dr. Zahra El Shlmani

Accounting Researcher, Reviewer and Lecturer in Financial and Audit Practices

Machine LearningFinance +10
Malaysia Doctorate 5 publications
Dr. Haleh Parsa
Dr. Haleh Parsa

Experienced English Lecturer and Researcher

International BusinessEnglish Language +8
Malaysia Doctorate 3 publications
Dr. Iman Farshchi
Dr. Iman Farshchi

Associate Professor & Dean, Department of Engineering, MAHSA University, Selangor, Malaysia

Higher EducationCurriculum Planning & Development +4
Malaysia Doctorate 1 publication
Dr. Gurdip Singh
Dr. Gurdip Singh

Associate Professor & Programme Director at Open University Malaysia

PsychologyEnglish Language +8
Malaysia Doctorate
Dr. Vickneswari Durairajah
Dr. Vickneswari Durairajah

Deputy Dean and Associate Professor in Engineering and Technology

Information TechnologyCybersecurity +8
Malaysia Doctorate
Dr. Md Abu Zaed
Dr. Md Abu Zaed

Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Chemist & Sustainability Researcher | 2D MXene Materials | Energy Storage & Conversion | Desalination & Water Treatment | Sustainable Materials & Green Technologies

Malaysia Doctorate 5 publications

Funding and scholarships

A strong proposal is your key to funding

Supervisors, universities and funders choose the research ideas they believe in. Our proposal mentoring is built with funding in mind, so the work that prepares your application may also help you find and win support.

  • Your mentor helps you identify scholarships and funded positions that fit your research area and profile
  • Your proposal is shaped around the aims and criteria of each funder or funded project
  • Support with funding statements, supervisor outreach and deadlines

Funding decisions are made only by the funder or university. We never guarantee a scholarship.

Ask our moderator about funding

Funding routes we help you explore

  1. I Government and national scholarships Schemes offered by governments to international research students. Your mentor helps you check eligibility and deadlines.
  2. II University scholarships and assistantships Fee waivers, stipends and teaching or research roles offered by universities.
  3. III Funded research projects PhD places attached to a funded project, where your proposal must fit the project aims.
  4. IV Fellowships and external grants Calls from foundations, industry and international bodies for researchers at different stages.

Research proposal checklist

A typical proposal runs 1,000 to 2,000 words. Requirements vary by university.

  1. 01 Provisional title
  2. 02 Key research question or hypothesis
  3. 03 Aims and objectives
  4. 04 Literature review
  5. 05 Research gap and why it matters
  6. 06 Methodology
  7. 07 Work plan and timeline
Request the free proposal template

Documents you will need

Have these ready before you apply. Your mentor will help you check each one.

  • Research proposal
  • Proposed supervisor or supervisor shortlist
  • Academic transcripts and certificates
  • English-language test proof
  • Two referee letters
  • CV and funding plan
Request a free proposal review

Researcher journeys

Three typical paths, shown as examples of how mentoring works. Real researcher stories will be added here as they are completed.

Example journey

The working lecturer

Starting point

Teaches at a college in India and wants a funded PhD abroad, but has only a broad topic idea.

How a mentor helps

A mentor narrows the idea to one research problem and builds the proposal with a clear gap and method.

Result

A supervisor-aligned proposal, ready to send to selected universities.

Example journey

The recent master’s graduate

Starting point

Has strong grades but has never written a research proposal or contacted a supervisor.

How a mentor helps

A mentor guides the literature review, drafts of the proposal and the first outreach email to supervisors.

Result

A complete application file and a shortlist of suitable supervisors.

Example journey

The early-career researcher

Starting point

Holds a PhD and wants a postdoctoral role or fellowship in a new country.

How a mentor helps

A mentor sharpens the research plan and publication record, and matches it to fellowship criteria.

Result

A funding-ready research plan targeted at specific calls and groups.

Share your story with us Completed a PhD journey with MentorsGate? We would like to feature you.

Who this is for

I

Aspiring PhD students

You have a research interest and want a funded place at a strong university abroad.

Start your PhD journey
II

Early-career researchers

You hold a PhD and are looking for postdoctoral roles, fellowships or collaborators.

Explore postdoc routes
III

Faculty and institutions

You want to place opportunities in front of well-prepared researchers worldwide.

Partner with us

Study destinations

We are starting with Malaysia and Dubai, and expanding to the UK, Ireland, Norway and more of Europe.

Now MalaysiaDubai (UAE)
Next United KingdomIrelandNorwayMore in Europe

Part of a larger ecosystem

Five pillars supporting every researcher

I

MentorsGate

Verified mentors and subject-matter experts.

II

IME Academy

Certification and research-readiness training.

III

IMPARC

Research consortium for collaboration and events.

IV

Ignited Minds Journals

Scholarly publishing for researchers.

V

Ignited Minds Today

Student and education magazine.

Offering PhD or postdoc positions?

Universities and research groups can share their opportunities with our community of prepared, supervisor-matched researchers.

List your opportunities

Common questions

No. Admission and funding decisions are made only by the university or funder. We help you prepare the strongest honest application.

You do. Mentors guide, review and challenge your ideas. Each proposal must be your own work.

Yes, as part of proposal mentoring your mentor can help you identify funding routes that suit your research and shape your proposal to their criteria. Funding is decided by the funder, and we cannot guarantee it.

Basic registration on MentorsGate is typically free. However, engagement with mentors, advisory services, moderated support, or structured academic programs may involve service-based fees, depending on scope and complexity.

Talk to our moderator

Ready to begin your research journey?

Tell our moderator your field and goal. We will match you with a mentor.

  • Match with a mentor in your field
  • Shortlist universities and supervisors
  • Understand funding options

Prefer to look first? Find a Mentor

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