Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Département / Department :  Unité / Unit: Center for African Studies Université / University: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University  Intitulé de l’offre Postdoc / Title of the Postdoc offer: L’Afrique dans l’œuvre de Mokhtar Soussi Summary of the subject: One of the missions of the Center for African Studies is to document health and environmental issues. The candidate must have an interest in one or both of these fields, from an anthropological side. Health issues (infectious diseases) and environmental issues (biodiversity erosion) are to be documented. Responsibilities and tasks planned:  The work will focus on: Bibliographic review, Report and scientific publications. organizing workshop courses Skills required for the position: The candidate must have: PHD with skills in one of the following fields: history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, psychology Rigor / motivation, Good communication skills, Teamwork An appropriate scientific background allowing him to deal with research questions, being able to mobilize the main approaches available in the field Sufficient scientific and methodological hindsight to understand the level of relevance of research approaches and to be able to combine them in an astute way in the analysis, definition, and resolution of project problems A minimum experience (professional or research) allowing him to move forward quickly and efficiently in a bibliographic analysis on a given theme and in the writing of scientific journals and articles.

Institution: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) Department: Chemical and Biochemical Sciences - Green Process Engineering (CBS) Location: Benguerir/Jorf Lasfar, Morocco Duration: 12 months, renewable based on performance and funding. About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa, striving to position itself among world-renowned universities. Located in the heart of the Green City of Benguerir, UM6P aims to make a significant national, continental, and global impact by driving economic and human development through cutting-edge research and innovation. The Chemical and Biochemical Sciences - Green Process Engineering (CBS) department focuses on advancing sustainable materials and technologies to address modern environmental and agricultural challenges. Position Description The post-doctoral researcher will contribute to projects focusing on the development and characterization of green and sustainable materials for advanced agronomic applications. These materials may include polymers, composites, or hybrid systems aimed at controlled-release fertilizers, biodegradable films, or environmentally friendly coatings. Key Responsibilities Research and Development: Design, synthesize, and characterize green or ecological materials for agronomic applications. Material Optimization: Develop functional materials, such as controlled-release fertilizers, films, or hydrogels, tailored to specific agricultural challenges. Characterization: Conduct structural (FTIR, XRD), thermal (TGA, DSC), morphological (SEM, AFM), and mechanical testing to evaluate material properties. Performance Evaluation: Implement agronomic trials to assess material performance under simulated or real environmental conditions. Scientific Communication: Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals and present findings at scientific conferences. Collaboration: Engage with interdisciplinary teams within UM6P and external partners to support collaborative research efforts. Mentorship: Co-supervise and mentor Master's and Ph.D. students, contributing to their academic and professional development. Qualifications and Experience Required: Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, or a related field. Experience in the development of sustainable or green materials for advanced applications. Strong expertise in material synthesis and characterization techniques (e.g., FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, BET). Proven experience in data analysis and material performance optimization. Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. Preferred: Knowledge of agronomic applications such as controlled-release systems, biodegradable materials, or eco-friendly coatings. Experience with environmental or agricultural material testing. Skills and Attributes: Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Strong analytical, organizational, and scientific writing skills. Innovative mindset with a focus on developing sustainable solutions. Application Requirements Applicants are invited to submit the following documents: Cover letter detailing research interests, experience, and suitability for the position. Detailed curriculum vitae (CV). List of publications and patents. Contact information for two professional references. Benefits Opportunity to work within a dynamic and innovative research environment at UM6P. Access to state-of-the-art facilities for material synthesis, characterization, and testing. Collaboration with national and international research networks. Competitive salary and benefits package. This position is ideal for candidates passionate about sustainable materials and seeking to make a significant contribution to agronomic and environmental advancements.

Post-Doctoral Fellow Position: Development of innovative biomass processing for nanofibers extraction 13219 Position Summary: We are seeking a motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to join our research team. The successful candidate will work on optimizing methods for nanofibers extraction from various types of biomass, focusing on the development of efficient, sustainable, and scalable processes. This role provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to advancing renewable materials research. Key duties: Design and execute experiments to optimize fractionation and extraction processes from diverse biomass sources. Investigate thermochemical, mechanical, enzymatic treatment methods or combination thereof to improve extraction efficiency and yield. Develop advanced pre-treatment techniques to enhance the extraction yield. Perform comprehensive kinetic and thermodynamic studies to understand and optimize the extraction processes. Investigate structure-property relationships to correlate the extraction process with the functional performance of nanofibers in various applications. Characterize the extracted cellulose fibers using analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and others. Evaluate the environmental and economic aspects of the developed methods. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including chemists, materials scientists, and sustainability experts. Collaborate with industrial partners to assess the commercial potential of the developed processes. Prepare research findings for publication in high-impact journals and present at conferences. Contribute to the development of intellectual property, including patents. Participate in outreach activities to promote sustainability in materials science. Mentor graduate and undergraduate students involved in related projects. Criteria of the candidate: To be considered for this role, you will ideally have: A Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Biomass Chemistry, or a related field. Strong foundation in biomass processing, fiber chemistry, or green chemistry principles. Proven experience in designing and optimizing biomass processing methods, including chemical, mechanical, and enzymatic treatments. Knowledge of advanced pre-treatment techniques.  Proficiency in kinetic and thermodynamic modeling of extraction processes. Expertise in using analytical tools (e.g., FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, TEM) for structural, thermal, and mechanical characterization of materials. Familiarity with structure-property relationship studies and their implications for material applications. Excellent problem-solving and experimental design skills. Strong communication and teamwork skills. Qualifications: Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related field. Strong background in biomass processing and fiber chemistry. Hands-on experience with analytical tools for material characterization. Familiarity with green chemistry principles. Excellent problem-solving and experimental design skills. Demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals. Strong communication and teamwork skills. Application and Selection: Application folder must contain: Detailed CV. Motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation A 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.