"CBS - Postdoctoral Fellow in Phytoplankton Bioprospecting and Spectral Characterization"

About UM6P: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa and aims to position itself among world-renowned universities in its fields. The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. A mechanism that enables it to consolidate Morocco's frontline position in these fields, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills training relevant for the future of Africa. Located in the municipality of Benguerir, in the very heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to leave its mark nationally, continentally, and globally.

About the Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering (CBS)

The CBS Department is an entity of the UM6P. The main objective of CBS is to set up a distinctive research-teaching program of international level, in order to meet the research and teaching challenges of UM6P, in particular on green and environmental chemistry applied to all aspects of chemical sciences: organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical biology, biochemical and thermal reactions. Research at CBS is organized around several major areas, which aim to answer challenging industrial questions, from complex chemical and biochemical reactions to scale-up and validation of process engineering. CBS projects aim at an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of all transformations in order to propose new original alternatives in terms of efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability.

Job Description

The CBS is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to join a multidisciplinary research team focused on the identification and valorization of Moroccan phytoplankton, with a particular emphasis on algal biomass. The successful candidate will be responsible for the extraction, fractionation, and isolation of bioactive compounds from various algal species. They will apply advanced spectroscopic and analytical techniques to characterize the chemical structure of these metabolites and evaluate their biological potential. The overarching goal is to explore and promote the use of these compounds in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agri-food applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct extraction and fractionation of bioactive metabolites from algal biomass.
• Isolate and purify target compounds using chromatographic techniques.
• Perform structural elucidation using advanced spectral and analytical tools (e.g., LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, NMR).
• Evaluate biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, etc.
• Contribute to the development of value-added products based on algal metabolites.
• Prepare scientific reports, publications, and presentations related to the project outcomes.
• Support the development of sustainable and scalable valorization strategies for Moroccan phytoplankton resources.

Candidate Criteria

• Ph.D. in Phytochemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Solid experience in natural product extraction, purification, and metabolite identification.
• Proficiency in the use of LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, NMR, and relevant data analysis software (e.g., MestReNova, Thermo scientific, Shimadzu, MS-FINDER, and MZmine, platforms).
• Familiarity with bioactivity assays and screening protocols is an asset.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently and within a team.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
• A good track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals

Application and Selection

The application folder must contain: Detailed CV, Cover letter along with a synthetic presentation of the background, research works, projects and activities, publications, key achievements, 3 reference letters.