"ARC_AIR - Postdoctoral Researcher in Renewable Energy Systems, Water Harvesting Technologies, Condensation and Sorption Processes"

Job Description

The Energy4Water (E4W) at UM6P is seeking applications for two Postdoctoral Researcher positions to support its growing research portfolio in renewable energy-driven water production and condensation-based system optimization.

The positions are designed for early-career scientists with a strong background in thermal sciences, energy systems, or water technologies, and a demonstrated ability to operate in research environments oriented toward sustainability and impact.

The selected researchers will contribute to both experimental and modeling activities involving sorption and condensation technologies, solar thermal integration, and system optimization. Responsibilities will include laboratory investigations, prototyping, field testing, and performance analysis of water harvesting systems across various climatic contexts.

In line with E4W’s mission, the postdoctoral researchers will engage with academic, industrial, and institutional partners to translate research into real-world applications that advance water access, environmental resilience, and green innovation.

Key Duties

• Undertake original research of international excellence in the domain of renewable energy-powered water harvesting systems.
• Design and model advanced systems based on condensation, sorption, or hybrid thermal processes using solar and alternative energy sources.
• Conduct laboratory investigations and field trials to assess the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of water harvesting technologies across different environmental conditions.
• Analyze material-system interactions, particularly the performance of adsorbents, thermal interfaces, and condensation surfaces under varied operating scenarios.
• Develop and refine performance simulation models and predictive tools to support system optimization and deployment strategies.
• Prepare high-quality scientific publications and contribute to the dissemination of research outcomes through leading journals, national/international conferences, and technical forums.
• Develop research objectives and technical proposals independently and collaboratively, aligned with the strategic priorities of the E4W initiative.
• Engage actively with the E4W project team, ensuring timely and accurate communication of experimental progress, results, and potential implementation challenges.
• Identify opportunities for structural and methodological improvement across research workflows through integrated project management and quality control practices.
• Foster collaborative linkages with other programmatic areas, core scientific teams, and external partners to strengthen conceptual frameworks and accelerate cross-disciplinary innovation.
• Contribute to capacity building by mentoring junior researchers, interns, and students within the project ecosystem.
• Support, where applicable, the development of funding proposals, grant applications, and stakeholder engagement materials to sustain and expand research activities.

Candidate Profile

• PhD in related fields
• Excellent communication in both English and French languages.
• Good publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Excellent networking ability and organizational skills.
• Capacities in co-supervision and coordination of masters and PhD level students
• Proven ability of working with team members and PhD students to help build their research skills and knowledge and to support and guide their professional development.
• Creating links, and build upon existing ideas to generate novelty in concepts and solutions.