Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Location: ASARI Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Laayoune, Morocco Position overview: The ASARI Institute at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Fellow in Plant Nutrition and Fertilization. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at developing sustainable soil fertility management systems for marginal agricultural soils, particularly under conditions of salinity and drought. The research will focus on the use of phosphate rock (RP) and its integration with diverse cropping systems, including legumes, cereals, grasses, and vegetables. The appointed candidate will conduct field, greenhouse, and laboratory trials, analyze data, and publish findings in high-impact journals. The role requires active participation in an interdisciplinary team to evaluate and optimize integrated soil fertility management strategies. Key duties and responsibilities: Research implementation: Design and conduct field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of phosphate rock (RP) and other fertilization strategies in improving soil fertility and crop productivity. Investigate the interactions between soil amendments, cropping systems, and environmental stressors (salinity, drought) on plant nutrition and growth. Crop and soil analysis: Perform detailed analyses of plant tissues, soils, and fertilizers to assess nutrient uptake, soil health, and fertilizer efficiency. Use advanced analytical techniques to measure nutrient availability, soil microbial activity, and plant responses. Data management and analysis: Collect, manage, and analyze experimental data using statistical and modeling tools. Interpret results to draw meaningful conclusions and develop recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices. Publication and dissemination: Prepare high-quality research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Present findings at national and international conferences, workshops, and seminars. Interdisciplinary collaboration: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, agronomists, and environmental specialists to develop integrated soil fertility management systems. Collaborate with local and international partners to align research objectives with global sustainability goals. Project management: Contribute to the planning, execution, and reporting of research projects. Ensure timely delivery of project milestones and deliverables. Mentorship and training: Supervise and mentor PhD students and research assistants involved in the project. Provide training on experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing. Requirements: Educational background: A Ph.D. in Plant Nutrition, Soil Science, Agronomy, Crop Science, or a closely related field. Research experience: Proven experience in conducting field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments related to plant nutrition, soil fertility, and fertilization. Familiarity with marginal agricultural soils, particularly under salinity and drought conditions, is highly desirable. Technical skills: Proficiency in soil and plant analysis techniques (e.g., nutrient quantification, soil microbial assays). Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS) and data modeling tools. Knowledge of integrated soil fertility management and sustainable agricultural practices. Publication record: A good track record of publishing research in reputable, peer-reviewed journals. Interpersonal and communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (knowledge of French or Arabic is an advantage). Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, interdisciplinary team environment. Personal attributes: Highly motivated, organized, and detail-oriented. Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to research challenges. Working conditions: The position is based at the ASARI Institute in Laayoune, Morocco, with potential fieldwork in marginal and desert agricultural regions. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. Application Process: Interested candidates should submit the following documents: A detailed CV, including a list of publications. A cover letter outlining research interests, relevant experience, and motivation for applying. Contact information for at least three professional references. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative research in sustainable agriculture and soil fertility management, with the potential to make a significant impact on food security and environmental sustainability in marginal regions.

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 (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): ASARI is positioning itself as a regional center of excellence in CRISPR genome editing, with a focus on advancing opportunity crops tailored to the marginal regions of Africa. These areas, defined by arid and saline conditions, require innovative solutions to overcome the challenges posed by climate change and resource scarcity. As part of this initiative, ASARI has reviewed and published a selection of crop species with significant potential for adaptation to these challenging environments. Additionally, we have identified key gene families and their specific targets that can be enhanced through genome editing technologies. Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of these resilient crops across Africa's marginal lands, bridging the gap between cutting-edge genome editing tools and the unique agricultural needs of marginal African communities. Description of the position: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled post-doctoral research fellow to join our team. The successful candidate will focus on unraveling the transcriptional regulation of the candidate genes we have profiled and their associated target phenotypes in selected crops subjected to drought and salt stresses. This will be a key step in determining editing modalities. Therefore, the ideal candidate will be expected to conduct homologous overexpression, gene silencing, sequence analysis and contained phenotyping. Education A PhD in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, or a closely related field Requirement Solid experience in nucleic acid isolation, PCR, RT-qPCR, and gel electrophoresis Solid experience in gene overexpression and/or silencing Proven knowledge in either four of these bioinformatics tools: BLAST, Ensembl, InterProScan, Primer3, MEGA, MAFFT, Phytozome, Bioconductor, Geneious, Clustal Omega Proficiency in R Knowledge of plant stress biology Good communication skills in English Ability to work as a team Solid publication track record in SCI-journals