AGBS - Postdoctoral Position in Microbial Experimental RNA Evolution

Area of specialization: Microbiology, molecular biology, and Evolution

About UM6P:

At the heart of the future Green City of Benguerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with an international standard, is established to serve Morocco and the African continent. Its vision is honed around research and innovation at the service of education and development. This unique nascent university, with its state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, has woven a sound academic and research network, and its recruitment process is seeking high-quality academics and professionals to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech. 

About AgroBioSciences (AgBS):

The AgroBioSciences (AgBS) program is a component of the Science & Technology pole of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). It constitutes a structure of higher education and practical-based research with a vision of solving real African agriculture challenges by leveraging up-to-date science and technology.

•          The AgroBiosciences Program Research Center leverages up-to-date technologies to address African agriculture challenges. It is a multidisciplinary research center that aims to conduct relevant, cutting-edge research that positively impacts African agriculture. It is based on the collaboration and synergy of several research programs targeting diverse disciplines of research in agriculture, such as 

Microbiome, Omics, Plant Physiology and Crop Improvement, Plant Pathology, By-products Valorization, Soil Sciences, Agronomy, and Sustainable Farming…

Job/Project description:

The AgroBioSciences Program (AgBS) at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University seeks a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our academic institution as a postdoctoral researcherin tracking and analyzing RNA changes during the experimental Evolution of microbes”. The successful candidate will contribute to our institution's commitment to excellence in research and innovation in microbiology, mainly focusing on understanding the evolutionary dynamics of microorganisms in response to environmental stressors. 

Main responsibilities:

The selected candidate will be expected to:

• Contribute to the project to understand the role of beneficial microbes in facilitating pant-bacterium interaction by regulating different steps in the development of N2 fixing nodules
• Implement a higher-level experimental study to unravel the role of Small RNAs in host-microbe Interactions during their evolution.
• The use of the RNA technique to track mutagenic changes during evolutional experiment studies. 
• Mentor master students and PhDs

Education, qualifications, and experience

• Applicants must have an earned doctorate in Molecular Functional Microbiology and Evolution.
• Demonstrated previous experience in RNA techniques, etc.
• Demonstrated experience of multidisciplinary research in the above research area.
• High-quality publications in relevant scientific journals demonstrate a strong record of research accomplishments.
• Experience in supervising undergraduate/graduate students.
• Strong communication skills in English and French, both written and verbal, to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and the broader scientific community.

Applications and selection procedure:

Applications are to be sent on the hiring platform no later than April 30, 2024

The application folder must contain:

• Cover letter indicating the position applied for and the main research interests.
• Detailed CV.
• Statement of research and teaching interests describing the candidates’ experience with the position field.
• Contact information of 2 references 

The successful candidate is expected to start in June 2024.