University of Bonn

Job description: African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral researcher in the field of computational biotechnology and modelling/simulation of bioreactor under aerobic and/or anaerobic treatment of biomass. Candidates should hold a PhD degree with professional experience in biotechnology, process engineering, modelling, and simulation of bioreactor. The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary and will contribute to the development of comprehensive computational modules that simulate the behavior and the performances of bioreactor to produce high added value product. Ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students across the university and externally is required. Evidence of research excellence is expected. Strong French and English communication skills, both verbal and written, are required. Key duties: Successful candidate is expected to: Setup, validation, and evaluation of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models for the elucidation of bioreactor heterogeneities and performances Development and application of modelling/simulation approaches for approximating CFD results Analyze and interpret data from scale-down and scale-up experiments Publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner Present research results at national scientific meetings Conduct original research within an international framework Have a creative, open, and resilient mind Criteria of the candidate: PhD degree in modelling, simulation, and process engineering from a recognized University. Strong expertise in modeling and simulation of fluid dynamics, preferably for bioreactor environments Have knowledge and familiarity with aerobic and anaerobic treatment Good written and spoken English as well as presentation skills Excellent interpersonal, and organizational skills with an ability to work efficiently both independently and in a team 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. 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 “Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioreactor Modelling and Simulation”.

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher – Energy engineering and monitoring of solar panel performance in semi-arid environments Duration: 12 months, renewable Position Summary: We are seeking a docotor in energy to join our research team as a Postodoctoral researcher. The position focuses on studying the performance of photovoltaic solar panels installed on post-mining sites, in relation to microclimatic variations induced by local vegetation. The researcher will contribute to the analysis of vegetation–climate–technology interactions to optimize energy yield in environments subject to climatic stress. Responsibilities: Monitoring PV panels: temperature, efficiency, dust accumulation. Using environmental sensors and thermal cameras (UAV/IR). Comparative analysis of PV configurations: with vs. without vegetation. Studying dust deposition and its impact on energy performance. Analyzing meteorological, soil, and energy production data. Contributing to the modeling of PV performance under local conditions. Participating in the writing of scientific and technical deliverables. Compiling, analyzing, and documenting experimental research results. Working closely with project partners. Candidate Profile: PhD in solar energy, electrical engineering, or environmental sciences. Proficiency in PV systems, instrumentation, and performance measurement. Experience in processing environmental data (Python, R, MATLAB). Interest in integrated approaches (energy–environment–biodiversity). Skills in UAV data analysis, thermography, and field measurements. Teamwork and collaborative problem-solving abilities. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and French. Application Package: Cover letter Detailed CV List of publications Copies of degrees Professional references (minimum of 2)

About the recruiter — UM6P Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is a research-and-innovation focused university in Morocco committed to African development. UM6P’s College of Computing (Benguerir & Rabat campuses) advances world-class research and education in Computer Science, fostering partnerships with industry and local stakeholders. Project summary (one line) Develop farmer-centric systems that fuse multi-modal remote sensing, soil and phenology data to enable crop classification and precise, customized fertilizer recommendations. Selection criteria (short) Required PhD (awarded or defended before start) in Computer Science, Remote-Sensing/Geoinformatics, Agricultural Data Science, or related field. Strong track record in remote-sensing imagery and/or time-series analysis and ML/DL for spatio-temporal data. Advanced Python skills and experience with ML frameworks and geospatial tools (e.g., PyTorch/TensorFlow, rasterio/GDAL). Ability to work independently and produce reproducible research outputs. Good English (written & oral) and willingness to collaborate with agronomists and partners. Preferred Postdoc or ≥2 years research experience after PhD; first-author publications in relevant journals/conferences. Experience with multimodal data fusion (optical/SAR/soil/phenology), satellite platforms (Sentinel/Landsat/GEE), and building reproducible pipelines. Field/ground-truth experience, agronomic knowledge, or fertilizer-recommendation systems. French/Arabic useful for local engagement. Application materials (required) Cover letter (fit with CropID + available start date). CV with links (ORCID, GitHub). Research statement (1–2 pages) with a 12–18 month plan. Up to 3 representative papers and links to code/datasets (if available). 2–3 referee contacts. Selection & timeline (brief) Shortlist based on research fit, technical skills, and interdisciplinarity. Top candidates invited for a technical interview covering past projects, a 6-month plan, reproducibility practices, and farmer-translation. Appointment: fixed-term (24 months), UM6P (Benguerir). References Moreno-Revelo, M.Y., Guachi-Guachi, L., Gomez-Mendoza, J.B., Revelo-Fuelagan, J. & Peluffo-Ordonez, D.H. (2021). Enhanced convolutional-neural-network architecture for crop classification. Applied Sciences, 11(9), 4292. Bhattacharya, S. & Pandey, M. (2024). PCFRIMDS: Smart Next-Generation Approach for Precision Crop and Fertilizer Recommendations Using Integrated Multimodal Data Fusion for Sustainable Agriculture. IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics.