Institution: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) Department: Chemical and Biochemical Sciences - Green Process Engineering (CBS) Location: Benguerir, Morocco
Duration: 12 months, renewable based on performance and funding.
About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (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.
More than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P 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. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model.
In its research approach, the UM6P promotes a transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with internal and external institutions for developing up-to-date scientific research and at continent level to address real challenges.
All our programs run as start-ups and can be self-organized when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as far as funding is developed by research teams.
The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications in linkage with incubation and start-up ecosystems.
About the Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering (CBS)
The Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering Department (CBS) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). The main objective of CBS is to set up a distinctive research-teaching program, of international level, to meet the research and teaching challenges of UM6P, in particular on green and environmental chemistry applied to all aspects of chemical sciences: organic, polymer, and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, catalysis, chemical biology, biochemical and thermal reactions.
Research at CBS is organized around several major areas, which aim to answer challenging industrial questions, from complex chemical and biochemical reactions to scale-up and validation of process engineering. CBS projects aim at an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of all transformations in order to propose new original alternatives in terms of efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability.
Job Description
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to develop eco-friendly coating materials for controlled and sustained nutrient release, aiming to reduce losses due to leaching and volatilization while enhancing fertilizer uptake by plants. This research aligns with a sustainability-driven approach, minimizing environmental impact and promoting more efficient and resource-conscious agricultural practices. The selected candidate will focus on the synthesis and characterization of biodegradable polymers for fertilizer coatings, emphasizing the use of hydroxylated vegetable oils as macro-initiators in ring-opening polymerization reactions to ensure industrial applicability. Additionally, the researcher will work on the catalytic modification of vegetable oils, particularly through reductive hydroformylation, to tailor their chemical properties for improved performance in polymer synthesis and coating applications. This position offers a unique opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary research environment, collaborating with experts in materials chemistry, polymer science, and agricultural technologies, with access to cutting-edge facilities and the potential to make significant contributions to sustainable agriculture.
Responsibilities:
- Design, synthesize, and characterize biodegradable polymers for controlled-release fertilizer coatings.
- Conduct catalytic modification of vegetable oils, particularly through reductive hydroformylation, to optimize their properties for polymer synthesis.
- Develop and optimize open-air ring-opening polymerization reactions using hydroxylated vegetable oils as macro-initiators to ensure industrial viability.
- Perform structural, thermal, and mechanical characterization of the synthesized materials using advanced analytical techniques (e.g., FTIR, NMR, SEC, TGA, DSC, SEM…).
- Assess the efficiency of coated fertilizers in controlled nutrient release, stability, and environmental impact through laboratory and greenhouse experiments.
- Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including experts in materials chemistry, polymer science, and agricultural technologies, and contribute to project meetings, reports, and publications.
- Prepare reports and high-quality research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences and seminars.
Candidate Criteria
Candidate Criteria
- PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Green Chemistry, or a related field.
- Strong experience in polymer synthesis, particularly in biodegradable or bio-based polymers. Knowledge of polymerization techniques, including ring-opening polymerization and step-growth polymerization.
- Expertise in the catalytic modification of vegetable oils, especially reductive hydroformylation, is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in advanced analytical techniques such as FTIR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ²D), SEC, TGA, DSC, SEM, and rheology for material characterization.
- Ability to work at the intersection of polymer chemistry, materials science, and agricultural technologies. Experience in controlled-release systems is a plus.
- strong analytical and critical thinking skills to develop innovative and sustainable solutions.
- Proven ability to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
- Experience working in interdisciplinary and international teams, with excellent teamwork and project management skills.
- A good level of English (written and spoken) is required; knowledge of French or other languages is an advantage.
Application and Selection:
The application folder must contain:
- Detailed CV,
- Cover letter along with a synthetic presentation of the background, research works, projects and activities, publications, key achievements,
- Research plans, entrepreneurial ideas, and concepts, if any, and services to UM6P community : max 3-4 pages,
- 3 reference letters.
