Franklin University Switzerland

About UM6P: 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. 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. UM6P is a very ambitious university, enjoying ample research funding, moderate teaching load, and excellent facilities. In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions, both international ones for developing up to date science, and at continent level to address real African challenges. UM6P offers highly competitive salaries at the international level. Our researchers get incentives through a participation to the intellectual property they develop. About ASARI (UM6P Laâyoune): The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Laayoune City, south of Morocco. It constitutes a structure of applied research with a vision of solving real Local, Regional, and African agriculture challenges leveraging up-to-date science and technology. To implement its vision, ASARI puts a lot of emphasis on interdisciplinary research in sectors of strategic interest for the southern regions of Morocco and for the African continent such as:  Plant & animal biotechnology (biosaline agriculture, animal production & nutrition, valorization of native aromatic & medicinal plants and algae, etc.) Sustainable technologies in water, environment, and energy sectors.  Job description: African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is seeking applications for one year contract as Postdoctoral in the field of Aquaculture and seaweed monitoring. Candidates should hold a PhD degree with professional experience in Aquaculture research.  Key duties: Successful candidate is expected to: Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. Assist with grant writing and development of new research directions. Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and support lab and hatchery operations. Assist in organizing and launching research activities. Contribute to general laboratory management and logistics. Document the standard operating procedures. Strong English communication skills, both verbal and written is required. Criteria of the candidate: PhD degree in marine science, aquaculture or similar from a recognized University. Able to carry out field work. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team. Positive working attitude and ability to work both in a team and independently. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a record of peer-reviewed publications. Proficiency with statistical analysis and data visualization. Application process: Applications should contain the following documents: Curriculum Vitae A letter (maximum 1 page) explaining the motivation for the position Contact information of 3 references (Applicants are assumed to have obtained their references’ consent to be contacted for this matter) Applications are to be submitted on the recruitment platform stating in object “Postdoc in Aquaculture systems and Seaweed Monitoring”.

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

Host Institution Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa, aiming to position itself among the world’s leading universities in its fields. The University is committed to economic and human development and places research and innovation at the heart of Africa’s progress. This approach enables UM6P to strengthen Morocco’s leadership in these areas through a unique model based on partnerships and by fostering the development of skills essential for Africa’s future. Located in the municipality of Benguerir, at the heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to make a lasting impact at the national, continental, and global levels. About ARC_AIR – African Research Center on Air Quality and Climate: The African Research Center on Air Quality and Climate (ARC_AIR) is a research unit within UM6P dedicated to advancing scientific understanding and innovative solutions in the fields of air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and climate. ARC_AIR’s mission is to support sustainable development in Africa through high-impact research, capacity building, and technology transfer. The center brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, and students working on addressing environmental challenges such as industrial emissions, urban pollution, and climate change impacts. ARC_AIR also collaborates closely with national and international partners to strengthen Africa’s contribution to global atmospheric science and to develop tools and strategies that guide evidence-based policymaking. Research Area Earth Observation Artificial Intelligence Climate Change Urban and Territorial Sustainability Water–Energy–Food Nexus Position Description African Research Center on Air Quality and Climate (ARC_AIR) of UM6P invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position within an interdisciplinary research program focusing on the integrated analysis of climate change, urbanization, resource systems, and territorial performance, with a particular emphasis on Morocco, Africa, and semi-arid to arid regions. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of Earth Observation, geospatial analytics, artificial intelligence, climate and sustainability science, aiming to develop predictive, decision-oriented, and operational frameworks for climate-resilient and sustainable territories. Research Scope and Objectives The successful candidate will contribute to the following research axes: AI-driven territorial diagnostics and foresight, integrating multi-source satellite data with machine learning and spatial modeling Climate–water–energy–agriculture interactions, with applications to water scarcity, urban heat stress, air quality, and territorial resilience Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) and its impacts on surface climate, ecosystem services, and socio-economic systems Urban and territorial sustainability indicators, observatories, and decision-support tools for policy and planning Energy demand and territorial energy metabolism, including building-scale, urban-scale and territorial-scale assessments Urban and peri-urban agriculture as climate-resilient territorial solutions Expected Contributions By joining this program, the postdoctoral researcher is expected to: Conduct independent and collaborative research leading to publications in high-impact international journals Develop and apply advanced geospatial, statistical, and AI-based methodologies Contribute to international research projects, reports, and proposals Support the supervision of graduate students and contribute to capacity building Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers, institutions, and stakeholders Candidate Profile Required Qualifications PhD in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Sciences, Environmental Science, Climate Science, Data Science, Urban Studies, or related fields Strong background in Earth Observation data analysis and/or spatial modeling Proven ability to publish in high impact peer-reviewed international journals Experience with machine/deep learning / AI applied to environmental or urban systems Familiarity with climate modeling, urban climate, urban agriculture, water resources, and energy systems Experience working in interdisciplinary or international research projects Interest in policy-relevant and impact-oriented research Application Procedure Interested candidates should submit the following documents: Cover letter outlining research interests and motivation Curriculum Vitae (including publication list) Research statement (1–2 pages) describing alignment with the research program One or two representative publications Contact information of two referees