In 2016 Dr. Rueping joined KAUST as a professor of chemical science in the Physical Science and Engineering Division. He currently heads a research group for the development of synthetic catalytic methodology and technology, and the synthesis of functional molecules for a wide-array of applications in the industrial, pharmaceutical and consumer sectors. From 2017 to 2024 he served as the associate director of the KAUST Catalysis Center, a world-leading research hub for the advancement of catalytic processes. Professor Rueping has many accolades to his name, including 32 awards in scholastic achievement, an h-index of 108+, and more than 600 publications. Rueping takes great pride in the educational success and mentorship of his students. Prior to KAUST, he taught at the Goethe University Frankfurt in 2004 as a Degussa Endowed Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, and at RWTH Aachen University in 2009, where he also served as department chair. ​

Professor Rueping’s research is directed toward the development and simplificationof synthetic catalytic methodologies and technologies and their application in therapid synthesis of diverse functional molecules. Current projects focus on metalcatalysis and organocatalysis as well as photo- and flow catalysis, including metalcatalysis and biocatalysis, new reaction methodology and technology, smartmaterials, photochemistry and flow chemistry.​