CRSA - Postdoctoral Position in Impact of Subsurface Soil Salinity on Agricultural Productivity and Organic Matter Dynamics Using High Resolution Proximal Sensing and Hyperspectral Analysis

Location: Centre for Remote Sensing Applications (CRSA), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco 

About the Position 

The CRSA is a leading research hub dedicated to advancing geospatial science and Earth observation technologies for sustainable agriculture, environmental management, and climate resilience. The CRSA is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) position to investigate the impact of subsurface soil salinity and rock gypsum on agricultural land productivity and organic matter dynamics in the semi-arid region of Sehb El Masjoune, southern Morocco. 

Soil salinization is a significant challenge affecting agricultural productivity in Sehb El Masjoune, where recent studies have identified a hard subsoil/near-surface rock gypsum layer at varying depths. However, the impact of this layer on subsurface and topsoil salinity, sodicity, organic carbon dynamics, and the stability of mineral-associated organic matter remains poorly understood. 

Research Objectives 

The successful candidate will: 

• Characterize the spatial and temporal variability of soil salinity by integrating very-highresolution remote and proximal sensing approaches (e.g., near-surface sensing, UAV-based hyperspectral imaging) with in situ measurements. 
• Assess the influence of the rock gypsum layer on soil salinity at different depths across Sehb El Masjoune. 
• Conduct field soil surveys to collect data for lithological characterization, mapping the spatial distribution and topography of the near-surface rock gypsum layer. 
• Evaluate the contribution of salt-affected soils to organic carbon stocks in semi-arid environments. 

The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary research team, collaborating with experts in soil science, remote sensing, and Earth observation technologies. 

Qualifications and Requirements 

The ideal candidate should have: 

• A PhD in soil remote sensing, plant-soil interactions, near-surface geology, or a related discipline. 
• Experience in field-based soil and environmental research, preferably in agriculture or mining environments. 
• Strong expertise in hyperspectral remote sensing and geographic information science (GIS) for mapping and monitoring agricultural soils and vegetation at field and regional scales. 
• Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, R) and experience with machine learning for geospatial data analysis. 
• A strong track record of publishing research articles in high-impact international journals and presenting at scientific conferences. 
• Experience working in a collaborative research environment and the ability to contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team. 
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French is an advantage. 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.