Hubei Polytechnic University

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.

Expected Start Date: October 2025 Job Description We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in vanadium and rare-earth element (REE) recovery, thermodynamic modeling, and materials characterization to join a cutting-edge research team. The project focuses on developing sustainable and optimized processes for vanadium extraction and purification, with the goal of enabling large-scale redox flow battery deployment for energy storage. Scope of Work The successful candidate will work on: Designing and optimizing extraction processes for vanadium from primary and secondary sources (e.g., slags and industrial wastes). Developing purification pathways to produce battery-grade vanadium for energy storage applications. Applying thermodynamic modeling tools (CALPHAD, FactSage) to simulate vanadium phase behavior and guide process improvements. Performing advanced characterization of vanadium-bearing materials to understand their transformation and recovery mechanisms. Evaluating environmental sustainability via Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis. Contributing to the integration of vanadium flows within a circular economy model for battery materials. Key Responsibilities Development and optimization of hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical vanadium recovery strategies. Advanced thermodynamic simulation using CALPHAD-based methods, including phase equilibrium modeling in multi-component systems. Comprehensive use of characterization tools, including: SEM, TEM, HAADF-STEM, XRD, and EDS for micro- and nano-scale phase analysis. LA-ICP-MS for ultra-trace elemental quantification. Investigation of impurity phase removal (e.g., Fe, P, Si, REEs). Environmental and economic evaluation of processes via LCA and techno-economic models. Preparation of high-impact publications and contribution to collaborative proposals. Support of graduate student mentorship and lab coordination. Required Qualifications & Experience PhD in Materials Chemistry, Extractive Metallurgy, or Chemical Engineering with a focus on resource recovery or battery materials. Research experience in metal recovery from slags or mineral concentrates, including both experimental and computational methodologies. Proven proficiency in thermodynamic modeling using FactSage, CALPHAD, and complementary simulation platforms like Aspen Plus. In-depth knowledge of electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and structural analysis methods for complex materials. Familiarity with REE and vanadium chemistry, oxidation states, and redox equilibria. Desirable Competences Prior research on critical metals (e.g., V, Ce, La, Nd) in slag systems. Simulation of monazite and rare-earth phosphate precipitation from multi-component melts. Strong background in slag thermochemistry, particularly oxygen fugacity control and partition coefficient modeling. Experience in integrating modeling with leaching and separation processes for scale-up. Advanced data interpretation using electron diffraction, dendritic growth modeling, and REE behavior in Fe-rich matrices. Competences & Personal Qualities Excellent English communication skills (oral and written). Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Capable of both independent and collaborative interdisciplinary research. Demonstrated ability to lead sub-projects, mentor students, and contribute to scientific dissemination.

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