Anand Agricultural University

CRSA - Postdoctoral research fellowship: “Developing Advanced Weather Prediction Models for Agricultural Production Monitoring in Morocco” About UM6P: Located at the heart of the future Green City of Benguerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with international standards, is established to contribute to the development of 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 in order to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech. 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 the 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. Job Description: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our multidisciplinary research team on the project "Crop Growth Monitoring and Yield Forecasting". This project aims to revolutionize agriculture in Morocco by combining cutting-edge technologies, including crop growth models, remote sensing data, data assimilation, machine learning, and seasonal weather forecasts. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will play a crucial role in developing and testing statistical models for the accurate forecasting of precipitation and temperature over Morocco. Key Responsibilities: Statistical model development: Led the development of advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms for forecasting precipitation and temperature in Morocco. This will involve data analysis, model design, and algorithm implementation. Work closely with the team to integrate various data sources into the modeling framework, including historical weather data, remote sensing data, and crop growth data. Ensure data quality, consistency, and compatibility with the models. Conduct rigorous testing and validation of the developed models. Compare model forecasts with actual weather conditions to assess accuracy and reliability. Continuously refine and improve the models based on validation results. Collaborate with a diverse team of researchers, data scientists, agronomists, and remote sensing experts to ensure seamless integration of your models into the broader project framework. Maintain comprehensive documentation of methodologies, code, and results. Contribute to the preparation of research papers, reports, and presentations to share findings with the scientific community and project stakeholders. Experience and Qualifications: A Ph.D. in a relevant field, such as machine learning, climate science, environmental sciences, geoinformatics, or a related discipline. Proficiency in advanced learning techniques and statistical modeling. Strong programming skills in languages like Python or R. Professional experience in the application of Machine Learning algorithms in the mapping and correction of spatial data. Professional experience in data analysis, preprocessing, manipulation, and cleaning. Excellent communication and collaboration skills for interdisciplinary research. A track record of independent research and publications. Familiarity with climate data, remote sensing, and crop modeling is a plus. How to apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, and contact information for three references. The cover letter should clearly articulate how the candidate’s skills and experience align with the position's requirements and the project's goals. Contact: Elhoussaine.bouras@um6p.ma

About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (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. In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions for developing up to date science and at continent level in order to address real challenges. All our programs run as start-ups and can be self-organized when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as far as funding is developed by research teams. The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications in linkage with incubation and start-up ecosystems. About the Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering (CBS) The Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering Department (CBS) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). The main objective of CBS is to set up a distinctive research-teaching program, of international level, to meet the research and teaching challenges of UM6P, in particular on green and environmental chemistry applied to all aspects of chemical sciences: organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical biology, biochemical and thermal reactions. Research at CBS is organized around several major areas, which aim to answer challenging industrial questions, from complex chemical and biochemical reactions to scale-up and validation of process engineering. CBS projects aim at developing in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying all chemical transformations in order to propose original, and innovative alternatives promoting efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability. Job Description As a core component of UM6P, the CBS Department aspires to lead research and teaching at the forefront of innovation. Our scope encompasses green and environmental chemistry across diverse domains: organic and inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical biology, chemical and biochemical processes, and thermal reactions. Research endeavors at CBS blend deep molecular insights with practical applications, aiming to introduce novel, efficient, and sustainable alternatives. CBS is seeking a highly motivated and experienced postdoctoral researcher to join our faculty as an Assistant- Professor in Process Systems Engineering. The successful candidate will contribute to CBS's Department, and consequently UM6P's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation by engaging in cutting-edge research, delivering high-quality instruction, and actively participating in the development of innovative solutions in the fields of Process Systems Engineering. Key Responsibilities: Research Excellence: Drive pioneering research in process systems engineering, with a focus on first principles and data-driven modeling, simulation and optimization with strong and permanent interactions with experiments. Integrate artificial intelligence (i.e. machine, deep and reinforcement learning…) to optimize efficiency, improve safety, reduce costs and promote sustainability. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to uncover a large variety of chemical and biochemical processes, and advance green and high-performance chemical transformations. Teaching and Mentorship: Develop and deliver high-impact courses in chemical engineering, focusing on process systems engineering at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Employ innovative pedagogical approaches to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and engineering skills in students. Research Funding: Actively seek external funding opportunities to support research initiatives aligned with UM6P's mission. Lead collaborative efforts to prepare grant proposals, secure resources, and drive impactful research projects. Candidate Criteria Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related field, complemented by a suitable research track record. Expertise in the field of process systems engineering is essential, with demonstrated contributions to chemical and process engineering, substantiated by impactful research and publications. Proven excellence in teaching and mentorship, evidenced by innovative pedagogical approaches and contributions to student learning and development. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a passion for interdisciplinary research and innovation. Alignment with UM6P's mission of promoting sustainable economic development through research and innovation. Application and Selection: The application folder must contain: Detailed CV, Cover letter along with a synthetic presentation of the background, research works, projects and activities, publications, key achievements, Research and teaching plans, entrepreneurial ideas and concepts if any, and services to UM6P community: max 3-4 pages, 3 reference letters. Our Offer Very competitive salary and benefits package. A unique set of research partners and collaborators. Access to a pool of highly motivated and rigorously selected Master and PhD students with financial support.

About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (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. In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions for developing up to date science and at continent level in order to address real challenges. All our programs run as start-ups and can be self-organized when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as far as funding is developed by research teams. The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications in linkage with incubation and start-up ecosystems. About the Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering (CBS) The Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering Department (CBS) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). The main objective of CBS is to set up a distinctive research-teaching program, of international level, to meet the research and teaching challenges of UM6P, on green and environmental chemistry applied to all aspects of chemical sciences: organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical biology, biochemical and thermal reactions. Research at CBS is organized around several major areas, which aim to answer challenging industrial questions, from complex chemical and biochemical reactions to scale-up and validation of process engineering. CBS projects aim at an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of all transformations in order to propose new original alternatives in terms of efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability. Position Overview We invite outstanding applicants whose research lies at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Chemistry. The successful candidate will develop a competitive research program, contribute to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and engage in collaborative projects with faculty, students, and industrial partners. The scope of the position is intentionally broad and may include (but is not limited to): Machine learning for molecular and reaction property prediction AI-based reaction modeling and retrosynthetic analysis Data-driven approaches to spectroscopy and structural analysis Cheminformatics and chemical data mining Computational catalysis or process optimization AI applications in analytical, organic, inorganic, or physical chemistry Automation in chemical experimentation or chemical robotics The selected candidate will be free to shape the balance between research, teaching, and collaborative innovation, based on their strengths and interests. During the selection process, applicants will be given the opportunity to express their preferred profile: Research-intensive: Focused on high-level research with light teaching duties Balanced: Combination of impactful research and active teaching Teaching-focused with applied research: Heavier involvement in curriculum development and hands-on educational innovation Qualifications Required: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to apply AI or machine learning tools to problems in chemistry. Strong publication record in reputable journals or conferences. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Desirable: Postdoctoral or equivalent academic or industrial experience. Experience in handling chemical datasets and tools (e.g., RDKit, DeepChem, Gaussian, ORCA, ChemML). Knowledge of modern machine learning techniques (e.g., deep learning, graph neural networks, generative models). Interest in interdisciplinary research and/or real-world applications. Responsibilities Develop and lead a research program at the AI–Chemistry interface. Teach courses related to chemistry, machine learning, or data-driven science. Supervise MSc and PhD students and contribute to curriculum development. Collaborate across departments and with external partners. Participate in the university’s broader mission of innovation and knowledge transfer. Application Process Candidates are invited to submit the following documents as a single PDF file: Cover Letter (including statement of motivation and preferred profile: research-intensive, balanced, or teaching-oriented) Curriculum Vitae (with list of publications) Research Statement (2–3 pages) Teaching Statement (1 page) Contact information for three referees (or letters of recommendation)