ACER - Post Doctoral Fellowship: Computational Studies of Materials and Mechanisms in Energy Storage Technologies. 12646

About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning 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. With a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields at 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. Thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, it offers a high-quality living and study environment. 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 transdisciplinary thinking, an entrepreneurial spirit, and collaboration with external institutions to develop up-to-date science at the continent level and address real challenges.

All our programs run as start-ups and can self-organize when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as long as research teams develop funding.

The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications linked with incubation and start-up ecosystems.

About Applied Chemistry and Engineer Research Center of Excellence (ACER CoE)

The center has been recently created to address enduring process challenges in the 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, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering focusing on different research fields such as catalysis, separation, energy generation, conversion and storage, and organic optoelectronics intelligent and advanced polymers and materials.

Project description:

Understanding how ions migrate during electrode charging and discharging is crucial for improving an ion battery’s performance. Using multi-scale atomic simulations to analyze the relevant processes is essential for uncovering the underlying mechanisms and identifying key factors that can help refine and manufacture energy storage electrodes.

Candidate Profile

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physics, or related fields.
• Expertise in the state of the art of materials’ computational tools
• Mastery of software tools, enabling the computational investigation of material properties, including VASP, Quantum Espresso, and WIEN2K.
• Mastery of software tools commonly used to process molecular dynamics simulation, e.g., LAMMPS, CP2K. 
• Mastery of visualization techniques, including VMD and VESTA.
• Publication record demonstrating experience with DFT, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental equipment.
• Documented publications in high-impact journals. 
• Experience working on experimental equipment.
• Undertake original research of international excellence. 
• Engage in innovative international research of outstanding quality.
• Prepare papers for indexed journal publications, propose invention patents, and/or actively participate in sharing results at national and international conferences, workshops, and meetings.
• Communicating the development, progress, and results of research tasks to the research project team to identify the requirements for future activities. 
• Develop collaborative links with the core scientific staff in related program areas to gain exposure and build knowledge on experimental/research activities and approaches and improve conceptual development and implementation. 
• Participate actively in the drafting of research project proposals and the pursuit of funding opportunities.
• Actively participate in supervising PhD students, guiding them through their research projects.
• Management of research projects.

Candidature submission

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter outlining research experience and achievements and stating research interests.
• Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications.
• Three references who are not UM6P faculty.
• One reference letter.