AITTC: Assistant Professor in Climate change mitigation

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.

About AITTC:

Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC) is part of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences(CAES), dedicated to providing high-quality research and services provision in the field of agronomy, soils, and environment for the benefit of Moroccan and African agriculture. The AITTC is seeking applications for a full-time Assistant Professor in the field of Sustainable Nutrient Management. Candidates with expertise in soil fertility, soil chemistry, agronomy, plant nutrition and soil nutrients dynamics, especially phosphorus under different pedoclimatic conditions and cropping systems, are privileged. This expertise is needed to complement AITTC research and teaching contributions:

• Soil fertility management and soil testing,
• Fertilizer industry, plant nutrition, and crop fertilization 
• Fertilizer and water use efficiencies
• Soil modelling
• Valorization and recycling of by-products 
• Rhizosphere research
• New products development and their agronomic and environmental evaluation

General Description:

The conservation, restoration and improved management of agricultural systems and forests contribute towards climate change mitigation. The University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) has developed an Africa Carbon Flagship Program and seeks to increase its scientific capacity to support this and other initiatives.

The advertised position is part of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. The selected candidate will be with the Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC). The applicant will be part of an interdisciplinary research team working on several projects related to climate change mitigation. In addition, the selected candidate will support the development of UM6P’s greenhouse gas laboratory.

The accepted candidate will be expected to do both research and teaching:

Research: The Applicants should have a strong foundation in soil biogeochemical and agronomy sciences and research and teaching that employ field- and lab-based approaches in addressing key issues of soil functioning (soil microbiology, carbon, and nitrogen sequestration) and management practice (fertilization, tillage, and erosion, and water use). Complementary modeling or other quantitative techniques (data synthesis and assimilation, remote sensing) are also welcomed. Selected candidate will be requested to develop an innovative research activity, particularly in the research areas that include climate change mitigation.

Teaching: the accepted candidate will contribute to the growing Agricultural Ecosystem Sciences and Environmental Science undergraduate degree programs.

Other duties and responsibilities:

• Establish an independent and innovative research program. 
• Develop and maintain internal and external collaborations. 
• Secure external research funding.
• Participate in teaching, supervision, and training activities.
• Engage in research and outreach related to soil health with an emphasis on carbon sequestration, soil conservation, nutrient cycling, and modeling.

Skill and experience required.

• PhD in the fields of soil science, agronomy, environmental science, and related fields 
• Understanding of biogeochemistry and agronomy
• Experience using field- and lab-based approaches to investigate soil functioning processes and management practices.
• Experience in biogeochemical modelling or other quantitative techniques (data synthesis and assimilation, remote sensing)
• Good publication record in leading international journals 
• Experience in supervising students.
• Experience in conducting fieldwork.
• Aptitude for teamwork, problem-solving and collaborative relationships 
• Excellent verbal and written skills in English
• Positive attitude
• Ability to work in a changing and fast-paced environment.
• Active participation in the improvement of self, processes, and goals