R&D Companies Hiring in Malaysia

Explore research and development companies hiring in Malaysia. Find scientist, analyst, and innovation roles at R&D centres.

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By SuperJobs Career Team · Updated June 2026

About R&D Companies in Malaysia

Malaysia's research and development sector spans public research institutions, corporate R&D centres, university-industry collaboration hubs, and the R&D arms of multinational companies with regional research operations in Malaysia. The government's commitment to increasing R&D expenditure to 2.5% of GDP is driving investment in scientific research infrastructure and talent.

Key public research institutions include MIMOS Berhad (national applied ICT research institute), SIRIM Berhad (standards and industrial research), Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), and the research arms of major public universities (UM, UPM, USM, UTM). Corporate R&D centres include Intel Labs Malaysia, Motorola Solutions Malaysia R&D, Keysight Technologies R&D, and the innovation centres of large Malaysian corporations.

Pharmaceutical R&D is growing with companies like Duopharma Biotech investing in drug development. Bioeconomy initiatives, palm oil research (MPOB), and halal science research create distinctive Malaysian R&D niches with global export potential.

Hiring Trends at R&D Companies

Demand is highest for research scientists (materials, biomedical, pharmaceutical, chemistry), data scientists, AI and machine learning researchers, R&D engineers, and regulatory affairs specialists. Government-funded research programmes regularly open research assistant and postdoctoral positions at public institutions.

Research assistants earn RM 2,500 – RM 4,000/month. Research engineers earn RM 3,500 – RM 6,500/month. Senior researchers with PhDs earn RM 6,000 – RM 12,000/month. R&D managers and principal scientists earn RM 10,000 – RM 20,000/month.

Top R&D Companies in Malaysia

MIMOS Berhad

National applied ICT research centre, working on AI, cybersecurity, semiconductor design, and digital infrastructure for Malaysia's technology ecosystem.

SIRIM Berhad

National standards and industrial research institute, offering research, testing, certification, and technology development careers across a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Intel Labs Malaysia (Penang)

Intel's research and advanced development presence in Penang, working on next-generation chip architectures and manufacturing process research.

Duopharma Biotech Berhad

Malaysia's leading pharmaceutical company investing in biosimilar and generic drug R&D, hiring pharmaceutical scientists and regulatory affairs specialists.

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)

Government research body driving innovation in palm oil processing, oleochemicals, and sustainability — offering food science, chemical engineering, and agronomy R&D careers.

Petronas Research Sdn Bhd (PRSB)

Petronas's dedicated R&D subsidiary, working on upstream petroleum research, chemical processes, and energy transition technologies.

How to Get Hired at R&D Companies

  1. 1

    Search SuperJobs for R&D companies using keywords like "research scientist", "R&D engineer", "research analyst", or specific scientific disciplines.

  2. 2

    A Masters or PhD is often required for scientist-level roles. For research engineer positions, a relevant engineering or science degree with research experience (from FYP or internships) is the standard entry.

  3. 3

    Publish or perish is real in academic R&D — list publications, conference papers, and research projects prominently. For corporate R&D, patents and product impact are more valued.

  4. 4

    Demonstrate proficiency with relevant research tools and methodologies specific to your discipline (spectroscopy, cell culture techniques, MATLAB, molecular modelling, etc.).

  5. 5

    Apply through SuperJobs and also monitor research institution websites and Government MyJobsMyFuture portal for public sector R&D positions not always listed on commercial job boards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs are available at R&D companies in Malaysia?
R&D jobs include research scientist, research engineer, principal investigator, postdoctoral researcher, research assistant, R&D manager, regulatory affairs specialist, product development scientist, and technology transfer officer.
What is the salary range for R&D jobs in Malaysia?
Research assistants earn RM 2,500–4,000/month. Research engineers earn RM 3,500–6,500/month. Scientists with PhDs earn RM 6,000–12,000/month. R&D managers and principal scientists earn RM 10,000–20,000/month. Heads of R&D at large companies earn RM 18,000–35,000/month.
Is a PhD required for R&D jobs in Malaysia?
Required for scientist and senior researcher positions at most R&D institutions. Not required for research engineer, technologist, or technical specialist roles. Corporate R&D at manufacturing companies often employs engineers with degrees and industry experience for applied research projects.
What R&D sectors are Malaysia's strengths?
Malaysia has distinctive R&D strengths in palm oil chemistry and processing (MPOB), semiconductor engineering (Penang cluster), petroleum engineering (Petronas Research), ICT and AI (MIMOS), Islamic finance innovation (INCEIF, ISRA), and halal science and certification (Jakim, HDC).
How do I find R&D company listings on SuperJobs?
Filter the SuperJobs company directory by Research & Development or search by role (research scientist, R&D engineer) and location. University and government research positions may also be listed here alongside corporate R&D roles.