The Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Centre of Excellence (ACER CoE) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) invites applications for Assistant Professor in Fuel Cell Engineering
Description of UM6P
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning, that is committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. UM6P is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation. On a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields as the forefront and become a university of international standing.
More than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities, for students, professors and staff. It offers a high-quality living and study environment thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model.
In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions for developing up to date science and at continent level in order to address real challenges.
All our programs run as start-ups and can be self-organized when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as far as funding is developed by research teams. The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications in linkage with incubation and start-up ecosystems.
Description of ACER-CoE
The Centre was established in early 2022 to address enduring process challenges in Chemistry and Engineering disciplines and create an environment for interdisciplinary/collaborative research. The research program of ACER CoE is multidisciplinary in nature aiming to create a platform bridging chemistry and engineering with faculty members affiliated and/or non-affiliated to other UM6P departments.
The faculty members with their research groups at ACER CoE have complementary expertise from different filed of Chemistry (inorganic, organic, coordination, Polymeric, physical, analytical) combined with different filed of Engineering (chemical, process, Mechanical, electrical, etc …) to address problems in industrial, residential and transportation sectors.
Desired Skills and Experience
In order to reinforce the team, the steering committee of ACER CoE has decided to open a position for an assistant Professor in Fuel Cell Engineering. The candidate’s primary role is to strengthen ACER CoE Center’s competences through developing and implementing new disruptive research programs to expand scientific knowledge of UM6P in the design and development of new hydrogen fuel cell devices and technologies as part of the UM6P’s objective to build a task force on energy conversion and storage.
The candidate is expected to:
- Have thorough understanding of physics, chemistry, mathematics, computers, and design related to fuel cell development.
- Thorough understanding of the Fuel cell practical application of engineering and technology.
- Extremely proficient in hydrogen system operation, physic, and optimization in integrated power and energy system.
- Relevant skills in hydrogen fuel cell thermal and water management.
- Develop and consolidate an independent research program of international excellence and extinction in the field of hydrogen fuel cell science, particularly hydrogen conversion and fuel cell stack/system, for energy transition actively pursue and secure funding for research projects and conduct interdisciplinary research in close partnership with internal and external stakeholders at UM6P.
- Coordinate and collaborate with Faculty within ACER CoE for assessing and implementing new technologies to enhance research capabilities in fuel cell technology particularly, as well as for various scientific and technological fields to unlock new possibilities and applications of hydrogen fuel cell science.
- Develop experimental fuel cell stack/system sources in laboratory, plan, establish and conduct research programs based on fuel cells to produce electricity for mobile, transport, and stationary applications.
- Study chemical kinetics and chemistry in the context of fuel cell physics, mass transport, heat transport and water transport through the different components of the MEA.
- Develop advances instrumentation, essentially fuel cell parameters monitoring techniques based on CVM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for assessing the fuel cell performance and its components.
- Coordinate and work with internal collaborators within ACER CoE Center overseeing the planning, development, and install research facilities, new equipment and develop a preventive maintenance plan as well as ensuring compliance with safety regulations
- Work closely with internal teams in ACER CoE and engage with industrial partners to integrate developed technologies based on fuel cell science in real-world applications in collaboration, and ensure effective delivery of the developed technologies
- Participate in department/university meetings, take part in various committees, and assist in recruitment activities.
- Coordinate effective departmental communication via regular Faculty & staff meetings, town halls, and/or electronic communications
- Publish articles in highly recognized journals, present research outcomes in international events and grant patents based on novel research results
- Identify areas of improvement within the research structure using integrated management approaches in pursuit of capacity building/strengthening and the preservation of scientific rigor in research studies
- Participate in the development of undergraduate courses, master courses, and modules, as well as the establishment of state-of-the-art research laboratory
- Supervise graduate and internship students and contribute to build up a first-class research-oriented teaching and research programs at UM6P;
Required Qualifications
- PhD degree in Physics and electrical Engineering from a recognized program, with a strong record of research achievements demonstrated by an excellent record of publications in reputable journals
- Between 3- 5 years of R&D experience in experimental plasma fuel cell stack physics and system.
- At least 5 years of experience for the exploration of hydrogen fuel cell experimentally using advanced parameters monitoring.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience to study chemical kinetics and employing simplified physics/electrical models and computer simulations for deeply understanding fuel cell stack operation and electrons, water and heat transport.
- A strong technical competency to identify current technical challenges in fuel cell science and applications, propose new research projects to tackle these challenges
- Strong organizational skills, project management expertise, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders, including researchers and administrative staff are crucial
- Possess skills in strategic research planning and ability to identify competencies gaps and building/managing/leading R&D teams
- Ability to set R&D strategies, creating technology roadmaps, fostering connections within the innovation ecosystem, and initiating collaborative research ventures with external partners
- At least 5 years’ experience in complex projects and lab management including milestones tracking, project finance & determine current shortfalls and anticipated projects near and long-term
- Experience in advising both undergraduate and graduate students, and an exceptional track record of peer review publications, research funding acquisition and international transdisciplinary collaborations with governmental agencies and the industry
- Evidence of other relevant scholarly activity including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing research grant applications as appropriate for the discipline
- Proven ability to contribute to the supervision of postgraduate students
- teaching experience post-graduation in a university
- Able to develop and deliver undergraduate and graduate courses
- Strong communication skills and contribute to academic community by delivering high-quality mentoring.