ETH Zurich

CSAES - Postdoctoral in Experimentation and analysis of the dissolution and diffusion of different fertilizer formulations About UM6P: At the heart of the future Green City of Benguerir, the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), a higher education institution of 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 nascent university, with its state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, has woven a sound academic and research network, and its recruitment process seeks high-quality academics and professionals to bolster its research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech.   About CAES: The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is a cornerstone of UM6P’s commitment to addressing the critical challenges of agriculture, water management, and climate change in Africa. Established to operationalize the Agriculture, Water, and Climate (AWC) strategy, CAES integrates advanced research, education, and innovation across multiple disciplines. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, strategic partnerships, and applied research, CAES aims to foster sustainable development, enhance food security, and improve natural resource management in Morocco and beyond. Area of specialization: experimentation, dissolution/diffusion of fertilizers in water and/or in soils Job/Project description: The CAES at the University of Mohammed VI Polytechnic seeks a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our academic institution as a postdoctoral research staff member with expertise in fertilizer dissolution and diffusion experiments. The successful candidate will contribute to our institution's commitment to excellence in research and innovation in fertilizer experiments. The candidate will study the dissolution and diffusion of fertilizers in water and/or soils with different degrees of saturation. The aim is to conduct experiments and generate data that will be used to develop new models of the dissolution and diffusion of different fertilizer formulations. The main responsibilities are: Conduct experiments in the Lab, prepare soil for physico-chemical property measurements, analyze the dissolution and diffusion of different formulations of fertilizers, prepare high-quality manuscripts, mentor master’s students, and PhDs Education, qualifications, and experience Applicants must have earned a doctorate in a field strongly linked to the topic of the postdoctoral position Strong knowledge of fertilizer experiments. High-quality publications in relevant scientific journals demonstrate a strong record of research accomplishments. Strong communication skills in English/French, both written and verbal, to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and the broader scientific community. Applications and selection procedure: The application folder must contain: Cover letter indicating the position applied for and the main research interests. Detailed CV. Statement of research describing the candidate’s experience with the position field. 2 reference letters

Schemes of Service: Research Division: Food, Chemical and Biotechnology Employment Type: Fixed Term About the Project The opening is for a project funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The project supports Singapore’s commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction. As a country with limited natural resources, Singapore is investing in innovative carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization technologies to reduce emissions and enhance energy security. This research aims to develop an integrated process for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals using renewable energy. The approach combines biotechnological and electrocatalytic processes to efficiently transform CO2 into useful chemicals, providing a novel and sustainable pathway for chemical manufacturing. The project is led by Dr. Zhou Kang at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), with research strengths in metabolic engineering, microbial biomanufacturing, and sustainable process development. One Research Fellow will be hired to support the microbial engineering and bioprocess development aspects of the project: The Research Fellow will work under Dr. Zhou Kang at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). This role focuses on producing platform aromatics from C2 building blocks using engineered microbial strains, pathway engineering, and fermentation strategies. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in advancing the project towards a lab-scale demonstration of an integrated CO2-to-chemicals process. Key Responsibilities Conduct independent laboratory research related to microbial fermentation, strain engineering, and biotransformation. Develop and optimize microbial strains, biosynthetic pathways, and cultivation strategies to improve efficiency and product yield. Design and support the integration of biotechnological processes into a continuous lab-scale system. Characterize and analyze chemical and biological products using advanced analytical techniques. Collaborate closely with project team members and external collaborators across metabolic engineering, biocatalysis, and related disciplines. Document research findings, prepare technical reports, contribute to scientific publications, and help supervise junior researchers or students when needed. Qualifications & Experience PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, or a related field. Demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas: microbial fermentation, metabolic engineering, biotransformations, or bioprocess development. Hands-on experience with genetic engineering, molecular biology techniques, and strain construction is highly desirable. Strong problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative projects. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment. A strong publication record or clear evidence of research productivity will be an advantage. Our lab uses Python, MATLAB and C++ to automate both data analysis and process control. Knowledge in these tools as well as emerging agentic AI will also be an advantage.  Professional Development The initial contract will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for up to three years based on performance and project needs. The Research Fellow will have opportunities to lead publications, present at conferences, and build an independent research profile within the project. The role offers strong exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable chemical manufacturing and carbon utilization research. The project may lead to forming a start-up on manufacturing specialty chemicals in Singapore. The start-up will be led by members of this project. Why Join the Team? Work on a cutting-edge project funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) with impact on CO2 utilization. Contribute to Singapore’s sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives. Be part of a dynamic research team led by Dr. Zhou Kang in metabolic engineering and sustainable biomanufacturing. Gain valuable experience in an emerging field with applications in sustainable chemical manufacturing. Opportunities to contribute to high-impact publications and attend international conferences. Join the team in shaping the future of sustainable chemical production!

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team working to deliver the Professional Services Development Programme. This major strategic programme aims to reframe the position of Professional Services within the University. We are seeking three highly motivated and proactive Programme Delivery Managers, who will play a key role driving forward delivery across the programme’s workstreams. About the Role As Programme Delivery Manager you will be at the heart of the Professional Services Development Programme, support the effective and coordinated delivery of a wide range of activities and work packages. Working closely with the Programme Lead, Programme Manager, workstream leads and stakeholders across the University, you will help ensure plans are translated into tangible, high quality outcomes. You will take ownership of delivery in key areas, maintaining momentum and ensuring timely implementation. This is a high-impact role where you will help embed structured delivery approaches, promote best practice and support the successful delivery of a complex transformation programme. About You You will have demonstrable experience of delivering projects, defined work packages or change initiatives in a complex environment, with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities. You will be proactive, solutions-focused and comfortable using your judgement to navigate delivery challenges. You will bring strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, influence others and maintain momentum. For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Abi Clark, Senior Executive Officer (Professional Services) at A.Marsh@soton.ac.uk.