KAUST Distinguished Professor of Chemical Science Nikolaos Hadjichristidis has been appointed chair of the National Council for Science and Innovation of Greece. The National Council for Research and Technology (NCRT) is the supreme advisory body of the state for the formulation and implementation of the national policy for research, technology and innovation. The council is appointed by and reports directly to the minister of education.​

The council provides advice to the minister on policy, on the selection of directors of the research centers and directors of research institutes to provide advice on all matters relevant to research, technology and innovation.

Hadjichristidis is the principal investigator in the University's Polymer Synthesis Laboratory. He was named a distinguished professor of chemical science in November 2016 by KAUST President Jean-Lou Chameau. His research focuses on the synthesis of well-defined polymeric materials with complex macromolecular architecture using anionic polymerization (AP) high vacuum techniques, as well as combinations of different polymerization methodologies.