"AITTC - Postdoc Position in Plant Spectroscopy"

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.

Job Description

The Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC), part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research position in Plant Spectroscopy. The selected candidate will join an interdisciplinary team working on projects aimed at developing innovative, accurate, and cost-effective tools for foliar analysis and diagnosis. These tools will leverage various spectroscopic techniques (VNIR, SWIR, and XRF) combined with machine learning and chemometrics.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on the development and application of spectroscopy methods such as VNIR, SWIR and XRF as alternatives to traditional methods,
• Organization of field trips, data collection and lab work,
• Spectral data analysis, data processing, and model development,
• ‘R’ or Python programming,
• Co-supervise PhD and undergraduate students.
• Be willing to be involved in other research activities different than spectroscopy, such as soil phosphorus, agronomy, fertilization, sustainability, soil health, carbon sequestration and GHG emissions.
• Contribute to the development and management of the existing Lab

Selection Criteria

Qualified applicants should have the following skills:

• Ph.D. in plant & soil spectroscopy / Chemometrics or related field.
• Experience in leaf spectroscopy by using VNIR, SWIR spectral regions, XRF and advanced programming skills in ‘R’, Python.
• Experience in Data analysis and chemometrics (PLS, RF, SVMR, NN…)
• Experience in Agronomy and plant science
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment,
• The ability to work on other research aspects in the areas of soil phosphorus, fertilizers, fertilization, …
• Ability to maintain high standards while meeting deadlines.
• Strong proficiency in both English and French.
• Demonstrated track record of publishing in high-impact scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Application and Selection

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter outlining research interests, relevant experience, and career goals.
• Contact information of 3 referees