"MSN - Assistant Professor in Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation of Materials"

Job Details

Overview of the UM6P and MSN department

Located at the heart of the future Green City in Benguerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with an international standard, is established to serve 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.

The Materials Science and Nano-engineering (MSN) department has an interdisciplinary vision based on the competence of its researchers and the relevance of the developed research themes/programs designed to meet different national and global issues.

MSN develops high-level basic and applied research in Materials Science and Nano-engineering. The developed research areas in MSN are at the borders of all aspects related to materials science. To achieve this challenge, MSN has adopted a research strategy and a clear vision, based on the following research axes:

• Energy Transition
• Smart and Functional Materials
• Circular Materials
• Advanced Materials Simulation

Position Announcement

• Job Title: Open Rank Faculty Position in MD Simulation of Materials
• Contract: Permanent position
• The selected candidate will work closely within the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster
• Place: UM6P – MSN Department – Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster
• Contact: Pr. Johan Jacquemin – johan.jacquemin@um6p.ma

Research Activities

• Develop independent research programs in Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation of Materials with a focus on computational modeling and simulations to understand and predict materials behavior at the atomic and molecular levels. These programs should align with the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster roadmap, emphasizing areas such as:
• Development and application of MD simulations to study materials properties, phase transitions, and reaction mechanisms
• Multi-scale modeling approaches integrating quantum mechanics, density functional theory (DFT), and machine learning techniques to enhance simulation accuracy
• Simulation-driven materials design for energy storage, catalysis, membranes, and advanced functional materials
• Modeling of interfaces, defects, and nanostructured materials for improved mechanical, thermal, and chemical performance
• Integration of MD simulations with experimental validation using spectroscopy, microscopy, and thermodynamic measurements
• Collaborate with experimental teams to validate simulations and develop predictive models for novel materials
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences
• Pursue external research funding through competitive grant proposals.

Teaching activities

• Teach each graduate and undergraduate courses related to Molecular Dynamics, Computational Materials Science, and Multi-scale Modeling, across various UM6P teaching programs including the Bachelor, Doctoral Training Center (DTC), and Executive Education programs. The annual teaching load is 100 hours.
• Supervise graduate students working on master's or PhD theses related to computational modeling and simulation-driven materials discovery
• Provide academic advising to students, guiding them in course selection, research directions, internships, and career development in computational materials science.

Academic and Industry Partnerships

• Establish collaborations with other faculty members, research institutions, and industries to promote interdisciplinary research and technology transfer in computational materials science
• Engage with industry partners to align research projects with real-world challenges, fostering opportunities for industrial applications and commercialization of simulation-driven materials design
• Contribute to the development of strategic research initiatives within the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Theoretical Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field with a strong focus on MD simulations and computational modeling
• Experience in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses related to materials science, characterization, and modeling, including computational chemistry, quantum mechanics, and materials simulation, in both French and English. Teaching assistant or instructor roles are acceptable.
• Extensive experience in MD, or DFT-MD simulation methods for investigating material properties
• Proven expertise in multi-scale modeling, combining MD with quantum mechanical (DFT) or continuum-level simulations
• Strong background in programming and scientific computing, including proficiency in LAMMPS, GROMACS, or similar simulation packages
• Proven track record of independent research in computational materials science, demonstrated by publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments and proficiency in MD simulation
• A commitment to pedagogical innovation and the ability to mentor and engage students in active learning environments

Preferred Qualifications

• More than 5 years of experience in MD modeling (including PhD, postdoctoral, or industrial research experience)
• Demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with experimentalists for materials validation and optimization
• Strong communication skills and a track record of successful grant writing and project leadership

Applicants should submit

• Cover letter outlining research experience, achievements, and research interests
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications
• Names and contact information of three external referees (who are not current UM6P faculty)
• Letters of recommendation from peers in the discipline