"ISTI - Assistant Professor in Hydrometallurgy & Chemical Engineering"

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 IST&I

The Institute of Science, Technology & Innovation (IST&I) of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Ben Guerir is dedicated to high level of education, research & innovation in science and engineering. Research & development within IST&I are centred on addressing the major challenges of the phosphate industry in Morocco and Africa, including food security, climate change and resource sustainability. In response to these challenges, IST&I in collaboration with national & international partners aims to develop innovative technologies to improve the fertilizers performance to adapt to the climate changes, the valorization of byproducts to create potential economic value and the implementation of circular economy through resources sustainability and byproducts valorization.

Area of Research:

• Hydrometallurgy
• Chemical engineering
• Mineral processing

Job description:

The Institute of Science, Technology & Innovation (IST&I) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor position specialized in hydrometallurgy, mineral processing and chemical engineering. The successful candidate will plan, develop and conduct applied & engineering research programs focusing on designing and developing innovative extraction and separation technologies for the demetallization of phosphate and derivatives and the recovery of valuable elements. Other duties include advising graduate students and making contribution to build up a first-class research-oriented teaching and research programs at UM6P. The incumbent will be encouraged to work with current faculty in related fields, should be able to contribute to interdisciplinary research collaborations in one or more areas at UM6P’s ecosystem. Ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students across the university and externally is required.

Key duties:

Successful candidates are expected to:

• Establish a state-of-the-art laboratory in the area of hydrometallurgy, mineral processing and chemical engineering
• Conduct a scientific research in a team composed of multidisciplinary researchers,
• Initiate and develop funded research projects and programs in collaboration with multidisciplinary groups in the field,
• Participate in the teaching of undergraduate as well as graduate courses related to the candidate's areas of research interest, training and supervision of graduate students, development of teaching materials,
• Presenting research results and scientific outcomes to stakeholders and at national and international scientific meetings and conferences,
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed and high impact international academic journals of the field,
• Establish and maintain close working relationships, collaborations, and partnerships with industrial institutions and other UM6P researchers/groups on multidisciplinary research projects.

Criteria of the candidate:

• PhD in hydrometallurgy, applied chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science or other related fields from a recognized university.
• At least two years of postdoctoral research experience or industrial experience in hydrometallurgy and extraction/separation of metals.
• Demonstrated expertise in minerals beneficiation, selective leaching and metals recovery.
• High publication record in leading international and well ranked journals.
• Quality of scientific achievements and impact of publications normalized by discipline and career stage (H-index > 7),
• Experience with Patents filing and Startups building is desired.
• Willingness to learn how to generate new ideas, links, and to build upon existing ideas to generate good concepts and solutions,
• Ability to supervise graduate students,
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English language,
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects,
• Enthusiasm towards generating new ideas and passion for solving challenging problems that require complex creative solutions.

Skills:

The candidate must have demonstrated research activity in most of the following disciplinary fields:

• Pretreatment, purification and valorization of industrial residues and byproducts.
• Leaching, extraction and separation of critical metals using different separation technologies.
• Experience in characterization of materials using various techniques such as ICP, XRD, TGA-DSC, SEM, BET, etc. and technical skills on the manipulation of most of those instruments,
• Experience in the use of academic and engineering software (Origin, HighScore, Design-Expert®, Aspen, …).

Applications must be submitted online; the folder must contain:

• A cover letter indicating the position applied for and the main research interests,
• A detailed CV,
• Brief research statements,
• Contact information of 3 references to be contacted directly by IST&I.