Postdoctoral Career Opportunity: Non-Thermal Plasma-Based Hydrogen (H2) Production

About UM6P

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning, that is committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. UM6P is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation. On a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields as the forefront and become a university of international standing.

About ACER

The center has been recently created to address enduring process challenges in Chemistry and Engineering disciplines and create an environment for interdisciplinary research. The research program of ACER is multidisciplinary, with faculty members from backgrounds in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering focusing on different research fields such as catalysis, separation, energy generation, conversion and storage, Plasma Science and its applications, and organic optoelectronics intelligent and advanced polymers and materials

Postdoctoral Career Opportunity: Non-Thermal Plasma-Based Hydrogen (H2) Production

Department: The Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Center of Excellence (ACER-CoE), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)
Research topic: Plasma Physics, Chemical Engineering, Energy & Sustainability
Title of research project: Non-Thermal Plasma-Based Hydrogen (H2) Production

Description of the Research Project:

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on plasma-driven hydrogen (H2) production. The project focuses on developing innovative methods for hydrogen generation using non-thermal plasma, both with and without catalytic materials. Plasma technologies offer a promising route for sustainable hydrogen production because they can activate molecules and drive chemical reactions at relatively low temperatures and atmospheric pressure.

The successful candidate will investigate plasma processes for hydrogen production, including the role of plasma-generated reactive species and the interaction between plasma and catalytic surfaces. The research will explore how operating conditions such as gas composition, discharge power, pressure, and reactor configuration influence hydrogen production efficiency.

The project will combine plasma reactor development, plasma diagnostics, and materials characterization. Techniques such as optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and laser diagnostic tools will be used to study plasma properties and reaction pathways. Catalysts materials will be analyzed using appropriate characterization techniques.

Several plasma sources are already operating at the ACER CoE, together with optical and laser diagnostic systems. The goal of this research is to improve the understanding of plasma chemistry and plasma-catalyst interactions in order to develop more efficient and sustainable hydrogen production technologies.

Key duties:

• Design and operate non-thermal plasma reactors
• Study the influence of operating conditions (gas composition, power, and reactor configuration) on hydrogen production.
• Investigate plasma-catalyst interactions and reaction mechanisms
• Use optical and laser diagnostic techniques to characterize plasma and quantify reactive species.
• Material characterization techniques using: XRD, SEM, FTIR, ICP-OES

Requirements:

• PhD in Plasma Science, Chemical Engineering, or related fields

Candidate Profile

• PhD in Plasma Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields
• Strong interest in plasma processes, energy conversion, and catalysis
• Experience in spectroscopy and reactor design
• Very good programming and user skills in Python, MATLAB, LABVIEW or comparable technical computing and simulation environments
• Experience in laser spectroscopy is an advantage
• Familiar with material characterization such as XRD, SEM, FTIR, ICP-OES
• Good English communication skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within a team

We offer

ACER CoE is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will benefit from systematic trainings, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on-site infrastructure.

For further information, please contact et-touhami.es-sebbar@um6p.ma

Starting date: Immediately, but it can be postponed to May 2026.

Application documents: Cover letter, Detailed CV with the list of publications, and contact information for 2-3 references