"ACER CoE: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Magnetic Nanoparticles for Heavy Metals Removal"

About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (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.

In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions for developing up to date science and at continent level in order to address real challenges.

All our programs run as start-ups and can be self-organized when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as far as funding is developed by research teams.

The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications in linkage with incubation and start-up ecosystems.

About ACER

The centre has been recently created to address enduring process challenges in Chemistry and Engineering disciplines and create an environment for interdisciplinary research. The research program of ACER is multidisciplinary, with faculty members from backgrounds in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering focusing on different research fields such as catalysis, separation, energy generation, conversion and storage, and organic optoelectronics intelligent and advanced polymers and materials.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in the synthesis and functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with diverse wet-chemical approaches, e.g. sol-gel, thermal decomposition, and hydrothermal synthesis, for producing nanomaterials with controlled size, shape, and surface chemistry. This role involves developing novel nanostructures, tailoring their surface functionality for heavy metals removal.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize magnetic nanoparticles using different wet-chemical approaches such as sol-gel, thermal decomposition, co-precipitation, and hydrothermal synthesis.
• Develop protocols for nanoparticle surface functionalization and stabilization with polymers, ligands, or biomolecules.
• Characterize nanomaterials using advanced techniques (XRD, TEM, SEM, VSM, FTIR, DLS, XPS, etc.) to confirm structural, morphological, and magnetic properties.
• Optimize synthesis routes for reproducibility, scalability, and performance tailored to target applications.
• Collaborate with process engineers, material scientists, and application specialists to integrate nanoparticles into functional systems.
• Prepare papers for publication in leading journals and/or contribute to the dissemination at national/international conferences, workshops and meetings.
• Provide the research projects team with regular updates on research development, progress, and results.
• Support if required, the development of proposals for research funding.
• Contribute to the supervision of Ph.D. and graduate students, mentoring them in their research activities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in wet-chemical synthesis methods for nanomaterials (sol-gel, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, etc.).
• Proven experience in functionalization of nanoparticles for enhanced stability, dispersibility, and controlled surface chemistry.
• Hands-on experience with material characterization tools (e.g., TEM, SEM, XRD, VSM, FTIR, DLS).
• Knowledge of applications of magnetic nanoparticles in areas such as drug delivery, imaging, catalysis, or environmental remediation is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to work independently, and effective communication skills.
• Familiar with risk assessment and safe working procedures in a chemical laboratory.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English.
• Good publication track record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

Candidature submission

Applicants should submit:

1. Cover letter outlining research experience, achievements and stating research interests.
2. Curriculum Vitae.
3. List of publications.
4. Name and contact information of three referees who are not current UM6P faculty.