Northumbria University

Job description: Sustainable Materials Research Center (SUSMAT-RC) is seeking a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral fellow to join our research team focused on the development of innovative and sustainable sensor systems for industrial applications. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of sustainable materials to develop promising solutions that support and promote smart and sustainable practices in industrial processes. The successful candidate will develop innovative and efficient sensing platforms using advanced manufacturing techniques and strategies. The sensor platforms will leverage miniaturized, low-cost, and efficient components, utilizing state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques to enable seamless integration into industrial equipment and infrastructure. Key duties: The successful candidate is expected to: Have strong experience in polymers, molecularly imprinted polymers, and polymer-based nanocomposite synthesis, characterization, and application. Demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in sensor processing including design, fabrication, and characterization. Conduct research to design, develop, and optimize sensors for industrial applications. This includes exploring novel sensing technologies, materials, and data analysis techniques. Conduct rigorous field testing of developed sensors to ensure sensor accuracy, reliability, and robustness. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including engineers, and data scientists, to integrate sensor technologies into comprehensive industrial systems.  Maintain detailed records of experimental procedures, results, and observations.  Prepare technical reports, research papers, and presentations for conferences and scientific publications. Contribute to the generation of new research ideas, participate in grant writing activities, and seek external funding opportunities to support ongoing research projects. Have a good knowledge of analytical techniques (GC/LC-MS, HPLC, etc), spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, NMR, XRD, spectrophotometry, etc), and microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, AFM, etc) necessary for structural and physical-chemical characterization of polymer and polymer-based nanocomposite. Proven experience and familiarity with electrochemical techniques necessary for preparation, characterization and application of polymer and polymer-based nanocomposite: CV, LSV, DPV, SWV, EIS, etc. Broad experience in surface modification of inorganic or organic substrates. Contribute to the group’s activities in the processing of sustainable materials, (bio)polymer composites and their applications as sensing platforms in related fields. Experience in supervising undergraduate, master's and doctoral students. Criteria of the candidate To be considered for this role, you will ideally have: Ph.D degree in analytical chemistry, polymer science, materials science and engineering or any related field. Strong motivation and passion for research in the field of sensors Strong initiative, self-motivated, and focused on achieving quality outputs. Good time management and task prioritization skills. Strong analytical, problem solving and teamwork skills. Ability to work both as part of a team and to work independently. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Application and Selection Application folder must contain: Detailed CV. Motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation A brief research statement. Contact information of 2 referees. About Mohammed VI About Mohammed Polytechnic University (UM6P): Located at the heart of the Green City of Benguerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with an international standard, was established to serve Morocco and the African continent and to advance applied research and innovation. This unique university, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, has woven an extensive academic and research network, and its recruitment process is seeking outstanding academics and professionals to promote Morocco and Africa’s innovation ecosystem. About the Sustainable Materials Research Center (SusMat - RC): The Sustainable Materials Research Center (SusMat - RC) is a multidisciplinary research center engaged in the development of advanced biobased products and materials thereof using biotechnological, physical and chemical conversion strategies and engineering processes (b) understanding and controlling their underlying specific functionalities and the structure-properties relationship acting over multiple length scales from the molecular, nano to the macro level and their cross-interactions and (c) utilizing the gathered knowledge and the invented materials to address key technological challenges in Morocco and African continent and assist the transition toward a green and circular economy.

Located 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. With its state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, this unique nascent university 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. The College of Computing at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco, seeks a postdoctoral candidate in wireless sensor networks and the Internet of Things. The successful candidate will join the group of Prof. Youssef Iraqi.  Context Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and Internet-of-Things (IoT) are among the leading enabling technologies for smart systems (transportation, farming, health, etc.). Therefore, WSNs/IoT have received enormous attention where various communications-related performance metrics were considered, such as reliability, connectivity, throughput, delay, network lifetime, power efficiency, and security. In the literature, WSN design is typically optimized to maximize/minimize one or more of the abovementioned metrics under certain constraints. However, very little work has been performed on system/network optimization while considering the communications requirements jointly with the decision fusion process. This approach will produce novel system, network, and signal designs. Consequently, the project's main objective is to jointly consider communication and data fusion requirements in designing an efficient WSN-IoT system/network. Responsibilities The successful candidate is expected to perform the following tasks: Conduct literature reviews and surveys on the subject. Contribute to developing novel communication designs to optimize the WSN-IoT system/network considering communication and data fusion requirements. Conduct a theoretical analysis of the developed designs. Develop simulations (writing code) to support the theoretical findings. Disseminate results through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. Write technical reports according to the project’s deliverables. Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and Ph.D. students. Assist in the preparation of new research proposals. Collaborate with the team members and international academic partners. Qualifications Ph.D. in communications engineering, computer science/engineering, or related fields. Sound publication record in high-impact conferences/journals. Experience in working as a member of a team in a collaborative environment. Strong mathematical and analytical skills. Strong technical background in optimization in wireless communications/networking. Experience with programming languages, especially MATLAB and Python. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Application Applications should be submitted online and through email as a zipped file containing the following information: A cover page. A detailed CV with a list of publications. A research statement. Name and contact information of two references. The email should be sent to Youssef.Iraqi@um6p.ma with the subject “[Postdoc position + candidate’s first and last name].” Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an Interview. For general information or information on the position, please contact Prof. Youssef Iraqi: Youssef.Iraqi@um6p.ma

Post Doctoral Fellowship: Development of a 'Battery Management System' for Lithium-Ion Batteries (11834) 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 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. Project description: The Lithium-ion battery comprises multiple individual units known as "cells." Any deterioration or degradation in a single cell directly impacts the battery's overall performance and lifespan. Therefore, it is crucial to have a monitoring system in place for close oversight of this critical component. The battery management system (BMS) unit is not just a component, but a crucial element tasked with monitoring each cell of the battery and running algorithms to calculate state of charge (SoC), overall health, and more. For instance, in electric vehicles, the BMS carries out functions such as monitoring, controlling, optimizing, and ensuring safety to mitigate potential hazards related to battery performance. Its role is pivotal in the overall performance and safety of the vehicle, underscoring the importance of our work in this field. Various algorithms, models, and signals control different components of the BMS in lithium-ion batteries, including sensors, actuators, and controllers. In our facility, we are establishing a research unit focused on developing the necessary hardware and software components of a BMS to keep pace with the advancements in lithium-ion battery technology. Candidate Profile: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related field. An in-depth expertise in batteries and renewable energy systems including fault detection, diagnosis, and performance improvement methods. Mastery of dynamic reconfiguration approaches. Mastery of power converters. Mastery of software tools including MATLAB, PSIM, Proteus, LabVIEW, SketchUp, SolidWorks, etc. Knowledge of microcontrollers, STM32, FPGAs, etc. Knowledge of communication protocols such as I2C, SPI, Profibus, Modbus, CAN, MQTT, and HTTP. Knowledge of the ROS environment. Undertake original research of international excellence. Engage in innovative international research of outstanding quality. Prepare papers for indexed journal publications, propose invention patents, and/or actively participate in sharing results at national and international conferences, workshops, and meetings. Communicating the development, progress, and results of research tasks to the research project team to identify the requirements for future activities. Develop collaborative links with the core scientific staff in related program areas to gain exposure and build knowledge on experimental/research activities and approaches and improve conceptual development and implementation. Participate actively in the drafting of research project proposals and the pursuit of funding opportunities. Supporting the purchase of appropriate equipment and managing relationships with international suppliers. Actively participate in supervising PhD students, guiding them through their research projects. Participate in national and international events related to the theme. Management of research projects. Candidature Submission: Applicants should submit: Cover letter outlining research experience and achievements and stating research interests. Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications. Three references who are not UM6P faculty. One reference letter UM6P.