"Postdoctoral Position in Porous Materials for Fertilizer Formulation - UM6P Chemical & Biochemical Sciences CBS Department"

Job Details

Qualification Type: Postdoctoral position

Location: Ben Guérir, Morocco

Funding for: National/International Researchers

Funding amount: To be defined

Hours: Full Time

Placed On: 21/05/2025

Closes: Until Filled

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with strong expertise and interest in developing porous materials for fertilizer formulation. The position involves the design, synthesis, and characterization of porous materials to control the release of fertilizers into the soil.

The project aims to develop and optimize innovative porous carriers to enhance fertilizer efficiency, controlled release, and sustainability in agricultural applications. This research will improve nutrient retention, reduce environmental impact, and increase crop yields. In addition, some sensing tests will be accomplished in a water medium, and soil environments, with further evaluations carried out in the presence of crops.

Required Qualifications

The candidates must have strong experience in MOF synthesis and characterization with a PhD and demonstrated experience in Materials Science, Materials Chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, catalysis, and related disciplines. He/she should have experience in the formulation of fertilizers and their control during the release.

The candidate is recommended to demonstrate experience in undertaking independent research, managing research activities of Master and supervising PhD students. Fluency in English as well as a proven ability to write scientific articles are also mandatory. The post-doctoral fellow should be an effective team player to interact constructively with the interdisciplinary team of the CBS department and other collaborators with different backgrounds.

The project requires the following skills:

1. Familiarity with fertilizer formulation processes and technologies like, granulation and encapsulation to create specialized fertilizers.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the chemical composition of fertilizers and their interaction with porous materials.
3. Employ various techniques to thoroughly characterize fertilizers, evaluating their chemical composition and physical properties to ensure optimal quality and performance
4. Familiar with the fabrication and characterization of porous materials.
5. Insertion and encapsulation of fertilizers within the porous materials
6. Able to examine the textural and structural changes of porous materials by using a panoply of characterization techniques such as XRD, N2 adsorption, FESEM, TEM, XAS, XPS, dissolution-NMR, IR spectroscopy and TGA and other related spectroscopy techniques such as UV and fluorometer.
7. Skilled in performing sensing tests and evaluating fertilizer release behavior in various media, including aqueous solutions, soil environments, and agricultural setups with growing crops.
8. Ability to interpret experimental results to optimize material design and performance for enhanced fertilizer efficiency and sustainability.

About UM6P

Located at the heart of the future Green City of 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 to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech.

About CBS/GPE

Research within CBS-GPE is organized around two main areas: Chemistry with its main chemical engineering component, chemo-biology and heat treatments and their applications in industries. CBS-GPE projects aim to achieve an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of these transformations to suggest new, original, more effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Funding Information

• This position is available for one year, extended to two years depending on the performance.
• Interested applicants should submit their online application with a CV, cover letter, and 2 contacts for recommendation. Applications are open until the position is filled.
• Guidance from leading experts in the field and research training at UM6P.
• Workspace at UM6P campus, and resources to attend and present at conferences and workshops. A vibrant research environment in the CBS department, with regular research seminars, reading groups, workshops, and conferences.