Entity: ASARI
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.
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.
About Entity (Hiring entity):
The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). ASARI is located in Laayoune City and constitutes a structure of practical-based research leveraging up-to-date science and technology with a vision of solving relevant Local, Regional, and African agriculture challenges. ASARI acts in connection with a wide network of universities and research centers around the continent to link real field issues with up-to-date science. The institute consists of a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, biochemists, molecular biologists, bioprocess specialists, animal scientists working with agricultural producers and other stakeholders in response to challenges affecting marginal environments.
ASARI has mandates that includes three main research programs for,
- AgriBioTechnology that leverages up to date technologies in the service of the Southern Moroccan and Sub-Saharan agriculture challenges. Its ambition is to conduct relevant and cutting-edge research on plant/crop improvement, biosaline agriculture, valorization of local agricultural and marine resources, and animal nutrition and breeding with a positive impact on the African agriculture.
- Water treatment and management which is oriented towards the development of cost-effective desalinization processes for agriculture and other uses,
- Renewable energy that aims at developing new approaches to produce clean energy to address persistent challenges.
Description of the position:
ASARI seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a team of agronomy, agroecology, soil fertility management and remote sensing research experts who seek to develop precise fertilizer recommendations
and regenerative cropping systems in arid-saline conditions of Morocco. We seek a highly motivated candidate with a PhD from a recognized University who is passionate about developing innovations that have direct impacts on farmers in arid lands. The candidate will participate in evaluating plant and soil biochemical mechanisms and above ground indices that can foster carbon sequestration and overall soil health in an arid environment. The candidate will also be expected to provide specialized expertise in engineering arid land agroecosystems with native plant species and soil ameliorants to enhance carbon sequestration and arrest soil erosion by wind. The candidate is expected to roll out multilocation trials and laboratory scale experiments and develop knowledge that can contribute to relevant teaching modules at UM6P, high quality publications, patents and research proposals for funding. The fellowship will be for a duration of 24 months after which further employment will be subject to performance and the continued availability of funds.
Job Responsibilities
- Establishing research protocols for large scale on-farm experiments with the components of biochemical analysis of precursors of soil carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling
- Analyzing and developing models for quantifying carbon sequestration in a biome of native vegetation and constructing hedge rows in a desert environment
- Calibration, operation and troubleshooting of soil analytical equipment including GC, organic carbon analyzer, HPLC and spectrophotometer etc.
- Refining laboratory procedures for analysis of plant root ecosystem services for carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and relevant microbial communities. This includes assaying root – soil chemical interactions and imaging for simulation of soil health indices
- Contribution to the design of regenerative cropping systems and ameliorants particularly nanomaterials that can valorize drifting soil in arid lands
- Contribution to relevant research proposals, project reports, scientific publications and patents of potential nanomaterials
- Teaching pertinent graduate and undergraduate courses and training of UM6P technical staff.
- Capacity building of farmers and agricultural stakeholders in soil health and carbon sequestration. This role involves frequent travel and field activities in arid conditions of southern Morocco and lab activities at UM6P-ASARI.
Education
A Ph.D. in Soil Biochemistry, Soil Chemistry, Agronomy or related field.
Requirement
- Strong experience in the analysis of soil and plant root biochemistry and nutrient cycling during thesis research.
- Basic understanding of soil carbon dynamics and mainstreaming in sustainable cropping systems and environment
- Experience in operation and troubleshooting of soil analytical equipment including GC, organic carbon analyzer, HPLC and spectrophotometer etc.
- Strong expertise in quantifying plant and soil carbon sequestration
- Proven experience in assaying root – soil chemical interactions and imaging for simulation of soil health and nutrient acquisition
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, data analysis using R and SAS.
- Basic knowledge of remote sensing application to quantify carbon sequestration is desirable
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
