About UM6P: The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI)

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. With a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields at 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 (ASARI):

The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI), which is part of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Laayoune City, is dedicated to developing innovative solutions to local, regional, and African agricultural challenges through the application of advanced scientific and technological methods.

ASARI's Multidisciplinary Team Addresses Issues Pertinent To Marginal Environments Through Collaboration With Universities And Research Centers Across Africa, Integrating Expertise In Agronomy, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioprocessing, Animal Science, And Membrane Technology. ASARI Research Programs:

• AgriBioTechnology: This program focuses on crop improvement, biosaline agriculture, and resource valorization, with the goal of addressing challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Membrane technologies, Water Treatment, and Management: This program develops cost-effective desalination, water treatment, and analysis solutions, emphasizing advanced membrane technologies for fabrication, characterization, and applications.
• Renewable Energy: This program innovates in clean energy production and its integration into agriculture and water management.
  
  

Description Of The Position:

We are seeking a dynamic and innovative researcher with expertise in membrane development, sustainable water treatment, and resource recovery to join our multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing technologies for desalination, membrane fabrication, resource recovery—including ammonia—and renewable energy integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Membrane Development
• Design, synthesize, and characterize advanced and high-performance membranes tailored for desalination and resource recovery applications.
• Develop super-hydrophobic membranes for Membrane Distillation (MD) with enhanced thermal stability, fouling resistance, and anti-wetting properties for high-salinity environments.
• Fabricate ion-exchange membranes (Cationic and Anionic) for Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) optimized for selective ion transport and recovery of resources such as minerals and ammonia.
• Characterize membranes using advanced techniques to ensure high performance, durability, and scalability.
• Electrode Development
• Create advanced electrodes with high charge storage capacity and ion mobility for MCDI systems.
• Explore innovative materials like carbon-based composites and doped polymers to enhance conductivity, stability, and ion selectivity.
• Conduct detailed electrochemical analyses to optimize ion adsorption efficiency, rapid regeneration, and selective recovery processes.
• Process Engineering and Optimization
• Employ advanced engineering methods to optimize desalination and resource recovery systems, with a focus on arid regions.
• Utilize computational modeling and machine learning to fine-tune processes, improving energy efficiency, operational stability, and waste minimization.
• Adapt systems to maximize water recovery and enable the efficient extraction of minerals and ammonia from brine streams.
• Renewable Energy Integration
• Design hybrid energy systems that integrate renewable sources like solar and wind with desalination technologies.
• Develop energy storage solutions to ensure stable operations and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Support the creation of low-carbon, sustainable water treatment systems aligned with Morocco’s renewable energy goals.
• Environmental Impact Assessment and Resource Recovery
• Conduct environmental impact assessments and life-cycle analyses to evaluate and mitigate the ecological footprint of desalination processes.
• Develop strategies to recover valuable resources, including ammonia and minerals, from brine, turning waste streams into economic opportunities.
• Promote sustainable resource management by advancing a circular economy approach in water treatment.
• Collaborative Leadership: Collaborate with PhD students and interdisciplinary teams to advance MD, MCDI, and sustainable water management solutions.
• Research Dissemination: Publish findings and present at conferences to contribute to global advancements in MD, MCDI, and hybrid membrane technologies.
  

This role focuses on advancing MD and MCDI technologies to address critical challenges in desalination and sustainable resource recovery.

Keywords:

Sustainable Desalination, Resource Recovery, Membrane Distillation, Membrane Capacity Deionization IonExchange Membranes, Electrochemistry, Process Optimization, Renewable Energy Integration, Environmental Impact Assessment, Electrochemical Stability, Fouling Resistance.

Qualification Requirements

• Educational Background: A Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Process Engineering, or a related field, with a specialization in desalination, water treatment, or resource recovery technologies.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated experience in membrane fabrication (anionic and cationic), electrochemistry, and electrode development, particularly for applications in desalination and resource extraction.
• Analytical and Process Engineering Skills: Proficiency in process engineering, environmental modeling, and data analysis, including statistical methods for optimizing water treatment systems.
• Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, with a proven ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and contribute to impactful research.
• Alignment with Sustainable Goals: A strong commitment to advancing sustainable water resource management, aligning with Morocco's vision and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve these goals
  
  

Qualification Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Polymer and/or Materials Science, Process Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with a specialized focus on advanced water engineering, innovative desalination technologies, sustainable water treatment processes, resource recovery systems, membrane development for water purification and separation applications, and electrochemical processes for water and resource management.
• Proven expertise in membrane fabrication (anionic and cationic), electrochemistry, and electrode development for desalination and resource extraction applications.
• Strong skills in analytical and process engineering, including experience in environmental modeling, data analysis, and statistical interpretation for water treatment systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with a collaborative mindset and a commitment to impactful, sustainable research.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, aligned with Morocco’s vision for sustainable water resource management.
• Good publications record in refereed journals.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. French and Arabic will be a plus.
• Ability to initiate, conduct, and publish research in a scientific manner and to obtain external grant funding.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
• Additional language skills, Arabic and French are desirable.
• Supervisory experience.
  
  

Application Process

• Interested candidates should submit the following documents through the UM6P online application portal:
• Applications must be sent using a single electronic zipped folder with the mention of the job title. The folder must contain:
• A detailed CV
• A concise overview showcasing your background, research contributions, projects, activities, publications, key accomplishments, and a brief proposal tailored for this position.
• A research and teaching plan, entrepreneurial ideas and concepts, and services for the ASARI (UM6P) community: max 3-4 pages
• 3 reference letters
  
  

Applications should also be emailed to: [[Click to show email]] and [[Click to show email]]