ACER CoE -Postdoctoral Fellows in chemistry and chemical engineering ID 8670

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa and aims to position itself among world-renowned universities in its fields

The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. A mechanism that enables it to consolidate Morocco's frontline position in these fields, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills training relevant for the future of Africa.

Located in the municipality of Benguerir, in the very heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to leave its mark nationally, continentally, and globally.

About ACER CoE: 

The centre has been recently created to address enduring process challenges in Chemistry and Engineering disciplines and create an environment for interdisciplinary research. The research program of ACER is multidisciplinary, with faculty members from backgrounds in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering focusing on different research fields such as catalysis, separation, energy generation, conversion and storage, and organic optoelectronics intelligent and advanced polymers and materials.

Area of Research: 

The incumbent will join the Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Centre of Excellence (ACER CoE) whose responsibility will be to develop and conduct a research program in the development of materials for hydrogen storage and porous materials as agents for applications pertinent to energy and environmental issues. Hence, the successful candidate should develop a wide range of expertise, mainly, in the areas of Gas/Vapor/Liquid adsorption and membrane applications, Reticular chemistry of materials, Porous adsorbents, X-ray crystallography, Spectroscopy, and Topological analysis of inorganic and organic-inorganic hybrid coordination polymers.

Job description:

The Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Centre of Excellence (ACER CoE) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow position combining skills at the interface between chemistry and chemical engineering under the direction of Prof Youssef Belmabkhout. The successful candidate will develop and conduct applied research programs in chemistry and chemical engineering focusing on designing and development of materials for gas storage applications, gas/vapor/liquid separation purification, sensing and/or waste transformation/energy efficiency. Other duties include advising graduate students and contribution to build up a first-class research-oriented research program at UM6P. The incumbent will be encouraged to collaborate with other researchers in related fields within the centre and within UM6P. The position is open to individuals who hold a Doctoral degree in the subject discipline from a recognized university. The candidate should demonstrate that their PhD work and past experience allow them to have a connection to one or several aspects of the areas of research mentioned above. Very good English communication, both verbal and written, is required.

Key duties:

Successful candidates are expected to:

• Conducting scientific research in a team composed of multidisciplinary researchers;
• Supervise graduate student within ACER CoE;
• Participate to develop funded research projects and programs in the area in collaboration with multidisciplinary groups in the field;
• Presenting research results and scientific outcomes to stakeholders and at scientific meetings and conferences;
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed and high impact international academic journals of the field.

Criteria of the candidate: 

• PhD in chemistry or chemical engineering or other related fields from a recognized University;
• Demonstrated understanding of research excellence and operational requirements to achieve successful/high-quality research;
• Publication record in leading international and well ranked journals, preferably on the design and preparation of porous materials for gas/vapor adsorptive and membrane separations;
• Experience in developing and validating methods, operating and troubleshooting different gas/vapor adsorption/membrane testing instruments;
• Willingness to learn how to generate new ideas, links, and to build upon existing ideas to generate good concepts and solutions;
• Ability to co-supervise graduate students;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English language;
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects;
• Enthusiasm towards generating new ideas and passion for solving challenging problems that require complex creative solutions.

Skills:

• Synthesis of porous materials (such as MOFs, zeolites or other silica-based materials);
• Experience in characterization of porous materials using various techniques such as BET, TGA-DSC­MS, PXRD, SXRD, FTIR, NMR, SEM, XPS, etc. and technical skills on the manipulation of most of those instruments;
• Experience in the use of academic databases (CCDC, RCSR, ...) and softwares (Material Studio, Diamond, Origin, ....);
• Evidence of experience in adsorptive or/and membrane separation technologies.

Applications must be submitted online, before 1 March 2023 in a single electronic zipped folder with the mention of the job title ("Postdotoral fellow in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"

The folder must contain:

• A cover letter indicating the position applied for and the main research interests.
• A detailed CV.
• Brief research proposal.

The short-listed candidates will be invited to meet the university selection committee and will be asked to provide a list of three references

UM6P.