ASARI - Postdoctoral Position in Animal Food Industry and Valorization

About UM6P:

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher education. Its educational system is based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model. It focuses on applied research and innovation both in Morocco and Africa. 

The university is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities, for students, professors, and staff. It offers a high-quality living and study environment thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. 

About Entity (ASARI):

The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). It is located in Laayoune City, in south of Morocco. Its vision is targeting real, local, regional, and African challenges in the fields of agricultural in dry lands and marginal environments, animal value chain, water and energy sustainability, biorefinery and bioenergy, cultivation and conversion of micro and macroalgae, and geology and mining.

Oriented towards Africa, ASARI acts in connection with a wide network of universities and research centers around the continent in order to link real field issues with up-to-date science. The institute has attracted multidisciplinary research teams composed of food engineers, agronomists, biochemists, biologists, … etc.

Description of the position:

• Run research activities in animal food technology (meat and milk) derived from different animal species (camels, goats, sheep, …) in the Southern part of Morocco.
• Assist in the teaching activities as a team member of animal science program at UM6P-ASARI, to support courses related to:
  • Food technology (for farmers).
  • Technology Instrumental process and product control; sensory analysis. 
  • milk and meat Technology.
• Assist in the internal and external services of the department.
• Research proposal writing for external funding
• Report writing for research project
• Manuscript writing and publication in referee journal. 

The candidate will also be expected to help maintain all field and laboratory equipment, order supplies and help maintain research plot records and. Responsibilities also involve frequent travelling to different areas in Morocco and Africa.

Education

• PhD degree in animal food Technology

Requirement

• At least 3-5 years of experience if the field
• Interest in academic and/or project-based research and services.
• Understand the importance of excellent education and students’ support.
• Teaching and communication skills.
• Considering the job content, there are high expectations regarding social and organisational skills. The candidate should be able to work as part of a team, to communicate fluently with staff and stakeholders from different disciplines and of different levels and should have the necessary flexibility and resistance to stress to change the order of the tasks according to the service needs.
• Knowledge of Arabic, French and English is sufficient to support teaching activities for students and farmers as well.
• Analytical skills related to site budget preparation 
• Good publications record in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to initiate, conduct, and publish research in a scientific manner and to obtain external grant funding
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of statistics and database management
• Supervisory experience