École Normale Supérieure

2 Post-Doctoral Fellow Positions: Development of Multifunctional Hydrogels for Agricultural Applications (2 positions) Job description: An exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and talented post-doctoral fellow (PDF) to work on a collaborative project between Sustainable Materials Research Center (SusMaT-RC) at the University Mohammed 6 Polytechnic (UM6P) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The PDF will be enrolled at SusMaT-RC under the supervision of Professor Youssef Habibi. Our research project’s main focus is to develop multifunctional bio-sourced hydrogels for agricultural applications. To achieve desired properties, locally abundant biomass material will be converted into highly added value components and incorporating these materials with other fertilizers and/or biobased additives, through sustainable pathways, to produce bio-based hydrogels. Key duties: The successful candidate is expected to: Have hands-on experience in hydrogel formulation and (bio)polymer processing. Have good experience in developing porous materials, including design, fabrication, and characterization. Have strong background in one of the following disciplines: Materials Science; Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Physics; Chemistry. Be familiar with analytical, spectroscopic, and microscopic techniques. Conduct rigorous testing to ensure the performance, reliability, and robustness of the designed systems. Collaborate with interdisciplinary research group, including chemists, polymer specialists, and engineers. Maintain detailed records of experimental procedures, results, and observations. Draft technical reports, research papers, and presentations for conferences and scientific publications. Contribute to writing proposals and seeking external funding opportunities to support ongoing research projects. Be experienced in supervising undergraduate, master's and doctoral students. Travel abroad (United States) for a short period of time for work assignment. Enquiries: To be considered for this role, you will ideally have: Ph.D. degree in physical chemical and analytical chemistry, chemistry, polymer science, materials science and engineering or related areas. Excellent organizational skills and team player Ability to show initiative, self-motivation, and work independently Strong focus on achieving quality outputs. Good time management and task prioritization skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. How to apply: Please submit: An updated CV or résumé. Two letters of recommendation. One-page statement addressing the following questions How will your skills or qualities benefit the advertised role? Clearly state why you are interested in this position? Please note: Due to the urgency of the project timelines, the applications will be evaluated immediately upon receipt. About Mohammed VI 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.

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 the Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering (CBS) The CBS Department is an entity of the UM6P. The main objective of CBS is to set up a distinctive research-teaching program of international level, in order 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 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. Job Description The CBS is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to join a multidisciplinary research team focused on the identification and valorization of Moroccan phytoplankton, with a particular emphasis on algal biomass. The successful candidate will be responsible for the extraction, fractionation, and isolation of bioactive compounds from various algal species. They will apply advanced spectroscopic and analytical techniques to characterize the chemical structure of these metabolites and evaluate their biological potential. The overarching goal is to explore and promote the use of these compounds in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agri-food applications. Key Responsibilities: Conduct extraction and fractionation of bioactive metabolites from algal biomass. Isolate and purify target compounds using chromatographic techniques. Perform structural elucidation using advanced spectral and analytical tools (e.g., LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, NMR). Evaluate biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, etc. Contribute to the development of value-added products based on algal metabolites. Prepare scientific reports, publications, and presentations related to the project outcomes. Support the development of sustainable and scalable valorization strategies for Moroccan phytoplankton resources. Candidate Criteria Ph.D. in Phytochemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, or a closely related field. Solid experience in natural product extraction, purification, and metabolite identification. Proficiency in the use of LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, NMR, and relevant data analysis software (e.g., MestReNova, Thermo scientific, Shimadzu, MS-FINDER, and MZmine, platforms). Familiarity with bioactivity assays and screening protocols is an asset. Strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently and within a team. Excellent scientific writing and communication skills. A good track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals 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, 3 reference letters.

Job description: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our dynamic team in the Sustainable Materials Research Center (SusMat-RC) at UM6P. The successful candidate will work on an exciting project focused on extracting and analyzing experimental and computational data to develop predictive models for polymer-based materials. This project aims to leverage computational chemistry techniques and data-driven approaches to optimize the properties of novel polymer-based materials. Key duties The successful candidate is expected to: Build and evaluate chemical databases based on experimental and computational data. Establish predictive models based on artificial intelligence methods. Utilize the developed models to design and optimize the properties of materials. Conduct thorough experimental testing of developed materials. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including organic and inorganic chemists, and data scientists. Maintain detailed records of experimental and computational 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. Contribute on the group’s activities in processing of sustainable materials, (bio)polymer composites and their applications. Participate in the supervision of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. Criteria of the candidate To be considered for this role, you will ideally have: PhD in Computational Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field. Strong background in computational chemistry techniques, including molecular dynamics, quantum mechanical simulations, and machine learning. Proficiency in programming languages and computational software’s. Strong motivation and passion for research in the field of sustainable materials and materials science. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective dissemination of research results. Exceptional organizational abilities to manage multiple tasks and projects efficiently. Strong commitment to high-quality research and ethical standards. Application and Selection Application folder must contain: Detailed CV. Motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation Brief research statement. Contact information of 2 referees. About Mohammed VI 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.