About the Role
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a forward-looking, internationally oriented institution of higher education dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow specializing in membrane-based pretreatment for seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination. This position sits at the intersection of advanced membrane science, water treatment engineering, and sustainable resource management, offering the successful candidate an opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research addressing global water scarcity challenges.
The fellow will join a dynamic research environment within UM6P's ecosystem, collaborating with leading scientists and engineers on projects that advance next-generation desalination technologies. The role demands a strong foundation in membrane processes, pretreatment optimization, and a passion for translating laboratory findings into scalable, real-world solutions.
Core Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and optimize membrane-based pretreatment systems for seawater reverse osmosis desalination, including ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and nanofiltration technologies.
- Conduct independent and collaborative research on fouling mechanisms, membrane performance, and pretreatment efficiency under varying seawater conditions.
- Perform bench-scale and pilot-scale experiments, analyze data, and generate high-quality scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Develop and evaluate novel pretreatment strategies to enhance SWRO system performance, reduce energy consumption, and lower operational costs.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including process engineers, material scientists, and environmental researchers within UM6P and partner institutions.
- Present research findings at international conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings.
- Contribute to grant proposals and funding applications to support ongoing and future research initiatives.
- Mentor graduate students and junior researchers within the research group as appropriate.
- Prepare technical reports, standard operating procedures, and documentation for research activities.
- Stay current with emerging trends and technological advancements in desalination, membrane science, and water treatment.
Required Qualifications
- A PhD in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Membrane Science, Water Treatment, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated research experience in membrane-based water or wastewater treatment processes.
- Strong publication record in reputable, peer-reviewed journals relevant to desalination and membrane technology.
- Proficiency in operating and maintaining membrane filtration systems at bench and pilot scales.
- Solid understanding of reverse osmosis principles, seawater chemistry, and pretreatment methodologies.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work both independently and in collaborative settings.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in French or Arabic is an asset.
- Ability to manage multiple research tasks, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality results.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with advanced membrane characterization techniques (SEM, AFM, contact angle measurement, zeta potential analysis).
- Familiarity with membrane fouling modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), or process simulation software.
- Knowledge of renewable energy integration with desalination systems.
- Experience with water quality analysis, including TOC, SDI, and microbial testing.
- Prior involvement in industry-partnered or applied research projects in the water sector.
- Experience in supervising or mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers.
- Familiarity with sustainability assessment and life-cycle analysis of water treatment technologies.
What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out
- Work within UM6P, a globally recognized research university committed to Africa's scientific and technological advancement.
- Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and research infrastructure dedicated to water science and membrane technology.
- Opportunity to contribute to research that directly addresses critical water scarcity challenges in Morocco, the MENA region, and beyond.
- A collaborative, multicultural research environment that fosters innovation, professional growth, and international partnerships.
- Competitive postdoctoral compensation and benefits within a vibrant academic community.
- Potential for long-term career development within UM6P's expanding research ecosystem and its network of global collaborators.