University of Professional Studies, Accra

About UM6P: 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 CRSA: CRSA is a transversal structure across several UM6P Programs. Research within the center is organized around several major areas that aim to ensure the challenging Food and Water security goal in Africa, with a special focus on developing methods/tools that use multi-source remotely sensed data. The research aims to improve our understanding of the integrated functioning of continental surfaces and their interaction with climate and humans, with emphasis on sustainable management of natural resources (soil, land, water, agriculture) in the context of Climate Change. One of center’s goals is to provide a set of services and operational products to users (local, national and international) that aid in the decision support of water and food systems. About IsoTrace: Within the framework of the IsoTrace project, our team aims to rethink and adapt research, development, innovation and training to new paradigms to meet the future challenges for water sustainability. Job description: The IsoTrace team is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Postodoctoral Scientist with advanced expertise in isotope-enabled ecohydrological modeling. We are looking for an early career scientist who is passionate about unraveling the intricate connections between water resources, ecosystems, and climate dynamics. This cutting-edge postdoctoral research opportunity in Morocco will spearhead groundbreaking research at the intersection of isotopes, ecohydrology, and modeling mainly in the continuum water-soil-plant-atmosphere. Key Responsibilities: Develop and calibrate isotopic tracers to understand water sources, transport processes, and ecosystem interactions. Integrate isotopic data with ecohydrological models to assess the resilience of Moroccan water systems under changing environmental conditions. Play an active role in supervising and providing guidance to PhD students who are actively involved in ecohydrological modeling research. Conduct laboratory analyses and field work. Collaborate with local researcher from the college of agriculture, mainly IWRI and CRSA, as well as institutions and stakeholders to translate research findings into actionable water management strategies. Qualifications: Ph.D. in Hydrology, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, or related fields. Strong background in isotope hydrology, ecohydrology, and modeling techniques. Experience in fieldwork, data analysis, and scientific writing. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative spirit. Demonstrated track record of scientific publications.

About UM6P: 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. Description of the Center: The African Genome Center (AGC) is a research-focused institution operating across four main research axes: Biodiversity Genomics, OMICS and Metabolic Engineering, Genome Editing, and Natural Product Chemistry and Metabolomics. Equipped with an advanced genomics platform, its mission is to act as a central nucleus for genome biology research and training in Morocco and Africa. The AGC team comprises an international and diverse scientific community. Its primary goal is to democratize genomics research on the African continent, encompassing both fundamental and applied scientific investigations in agriculture, conservation, environment, food security, and health. Furthermore, the center is dedicated to facilitating technology transfers and nurturing highly skilled personnel through training initiatives. Job Description: Explore an exciting postdoctoral opportunity at the African Genome Center (AGC) of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco! We are seeking a talented candidate in bioinformatics microbial genomics to join the dynamic research group led by Professor Vittorio Venturi. At AGC, Professor Venturi’s research program extends to unraveling the intricacies of bacterial cell-cell signaling within plant microbiomes. As a postdoc, you will delve into genomics and metagenomics data to dissect the signaling systems of plant-associated bacteria and analyze the genomic features of beneficial bacterial strains. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of genomics, microbiology, and agriculture. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of microbial interactions in plant ecosystems and making strides towards sustainable agricultural solutions. Visit our website at https://agc.um6p.ma for further details. The ideal candidate must possess a PhD degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Microbial Genomics, Bioinformatics, or an equivalent field. They should demonstrate documented expertise in bacteriology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, soil and rhizosphere microbial genomics. Proficiency in molecular biology laboratory techniques, a strong track record of publications in internationally recognized journals, and excellent English communication skills are also essential qualifications. Application Procedure: Prospective candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact details for three references via the [SuccessFactor Link]. For further details, please contact Professor Vittorio Venturi at venturi@icgeb.org

Two Postdoctoral Positions About 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. About Entity (Hiring entity): The African Genome Center (www.agc.um6p.ma), is a multidisciplinary research entity dedicated to advancing genomics and systems biology approaches to address critical challenges in agriculture, environment, and health. AGC integrates expertise in microbial ecology, soil and plant sciences, environmental genomics, and biotechnology to develop innovative, sustainable solutions tailored to African and global agroecosystems. Through state-of-the-art infrastructure, strong international partnerships, and a commitment to translational research, AGC provides an exceptional environment for cutting-edge research, capacity building, and scientific excellence. Description of the position: The successful candidates will contribute to an interdisciplinary research program focused on understanding the sources, mobility, and bioavailability of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As) in agricultural soils, and their effects on plant growth, nutrient uptake, and physiological performance. The research will explore interactions between trace elements, soil microbial communities, and plant–soil feedback mechanisms, as well as their impacts on key soil health indicators, including biological, chemical, and functional attributes. A strong emphasis will be placed on bioremediation and nature-based solutions, such as microbial-assisted remediation and plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere, endophytic compartments, and mycorrhizal associations, with the ultimate goal of developing sustainable management strategies for contaminated agroecosystems. The project will integrate field investigations, controlled experiments, and advanced analytical approaches, including soil chemistry, microbial ecology, molecular tools, and functional assays. Education A PhD in soil science, environmental sciences, microbiology, agronomy, plant sciences, or a related field. Requirement Strong background in trace element dynamics, soil–plant interactions, or environmental biogeochemistry. Experience in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing Added value: expertise in microbial ecology, bioremediation, or omics-based approaches