The Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Centre of Excellence (ACER CoE) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) invites applications for Assistant/Associate Professor in Electrochemical routes in CCUS.
Description of 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 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.
Description of ACER-CoE
The Centre was established in early 2022 to address enduring process challenges in Chemistry and Engineering disciplines and create an environment for interdisciplinary/collaborative research. The research program of ACER CoE is multidisciplinary in nature aiming to create a platform bridging chemistry and engineering with faculty members affiliated and/or non-affiliated to other UM6P departments.
The faculty members with their research groups at ACER CoE have complementary expertise from different fields of Chemistry (inorganic, organic, coordination, Polymeric, physical, analytical) combined with different fields of Engineering (chemical, process, Mechanical, electrical, etc.) to address problems in the industrial, residential, and transportation sectors.
Desired Skills and Experience
In order to reinforce the team, the steering committee of ACER CoE has decided to open a position for an assistant Professor in Electrochemical routes for CCUS and industrial decarbonization. The candidate’s primary role is to strengthen ACER CoE Center’s competencies in CO2 Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) and industrial decarbonization through expanding the developed scientific knowledge in Electrochemical routes for CO2 conversion and/or fixation in new chemicals and minerals.
The candidate is expected to:
- Consolidate the electrochemical expertise within UM6P & ACER, with focused activities on ongoing research programs, particularly CO2 conversion and fixation in chemicals and minerals, but also actively pursue and secure funding for research projects and conduct interdisciplinary research in close partnership with internal and external stakeholders at UM6P.
- Coordinate and collaborate with Faculty within the ACER CoE and UM6P ecosystem to assess and implement new technologies to enhance research capabilities in electrochemistry, particularly in various scientific and technological fields, to unlock new possibilities and applications of CCUS.
- Develop experimental electrochemical-based CCUS infrastructure at different scales to assist in demonstrating and developing several pioneering research in the field.
- Study chemical kinetics and chemistry in the context of electrochemistry and provide expertise in the suitability of the different components for the electrochemical units.
- Coordinate the selection or synthesis of key components of electrochemical cells with interests in CCUS, industrial decarbonization, and waste management.
- Develop advanced instrumentation, essentially in-situ diagnostic techniques.
- Coordinate and work with internal collaborators within ACER CoE, overseeing the planning, development, and install research facilities, new equipment and developing a preventative maintenance plan as well as ensuring compliance with safety regulations
- Work closely with internal teams in ACER CoE and engage with industrial partners to integrate developed technologies based on electrochemical routes in real-world applications and ensure effective delivery of the developed technologies
- Participate in department/university meetings, take part in various committees, and assist in recruitment activities
- Coordinate effective departmental communication via regular Faculty & staff meetings, town halls, and/or electronic communications
- Publish articles in highly recognized journals, present research outcomes at international events, and grant patents based on novel research results
- Identify areas of improvement within the research structure using integrated management approaches in pursuit of capacity building/strengthening and the preservation of scientific rigor in research studies
- Participate in the development of undergraduate courses, master courses, and modules, as well as the establishment of a state-of-the-art research laboratory
- Supervise graduate and internship students and contribute to building up first-class research- oriented teaching and research programs at UM6P
Required Qualifications
- PhD degree in Chemistry, Physics and Engineering from a recognized program, with a strong record of research achievements demonstrated by an excellent record of publications in reputable journals
- Between 5-10 years of R&D experience in experimental electrochemical systems within the decarbonization context and associated infrastructure development
- Minimum 5 years of direct experience with the different characterization methods and tools for electrochemical cell performance, as well as the perfect understanding of their underlying fundamental principles
- A strong technical competency to identify current technical challenges in Electrochemical routes of CCUS and Industrial decarbonization, propose new research projects to tackle these challenges
- Strong organizational skills, project management expertise, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders, including researchers and administrative staff, are crucial
- Possess skills in strategic research planning and ability to identify competencies gaps and building/managing/leading R&D teams
- Ability to set R&D strategies, creating technology roadmaps, fostering connections within the innovation ecosystem, and initiating collaborative research ventures with external partners
- At least 5 years’ experience in complex projects and lab management, including milestones tracking, project finance & determining current shortfalls and anticipated projects near and long-term
- Track record of advising both undergraduate and graduate students, and an excellent track record of peer review publications, research funding acquisition, and international transdisciplinary collaborations with governmental agencies and the industry
- Evidence of other relevant scholarly activity, including research supervision, examining, editing and refereeing research grant applications as appropriate for the discipline
- Proven ability to contribute to teaching and the supervision of postgraduate students
- Able de develop and deliver undergraduate and graduate courses
- Strong communication skills and contribute to academic community by delivering high-quality teaching