Dr. Al-Naimi is a Professor of Chemistry in Qatar University. His research and doctoral studies were conducted at the University of Southern California (1984) and he continues to be very active in his field. He has served as President of Qatar University (1994-1999) and as the founding President of CHN-Qatar University (2000-2005). 

He was also elected as the first President of the newly created QU University Senate (2007) to guide its development. Since late 2007, Dr. Al-Naimi has been working with H.E. The Minister of Education and Higher Education as the Chair of the Outstanding Schools Oversight Committee (OSOC) that seeks to bring 10-12 outstanding schools from overseas to Qatar (the ISL from the UK and the Debakey School from USA have started operations this year). 

Dr. Al-Naimi has also provided leadership for the efforts thus far (under the Office of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser) to plan the new proposed Community College of Qatar; he has now been appointed as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee to plan and develop the college over the next three years. He is also Chair of the Board of Directors of the Doha Interfaith Center for International Dialogue (DICID).