About the Role
GSMI is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow specializing in Process Mineralogy, Mineral Processing, and Artificial Intelligence to join its research team in Morocco. This is a 12-month position, with the possibility of renewal for an additional 12 months based on performance and project needs. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of mineralogical analysis, advanced processing techniques, and AI-driven optimization, contributing to cutting-edge research that bridges traditional mineralogy with modern computational methods.
Core Responsibilities
- Conduct advanced research in process mineralogy, focusing on mineral characterization, liberation analysis, and process optimization.
- Develop and apply Artificial Intelligence and machine learning models to enhance mineral processing workflows, predictive modeling, and process control.
- Design and execute experiments related to mineral processing unit operations, including crushing, grinding, flotation, gravity separation, and hydrometallurgical processes.
- Integrate automated mineralogy tools (e.g., MLA, QEMSCAN, TIMA) with AI algorithms for improved ore characterization and process decision-making.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including metallurgists, data scientists, and process engineers on integrated research projects.
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences in the fields of mineral processing and applied AI.
- Contribute to the preparation of research proposals, technical reports, and scientific publications.
- Mentor and support graduate students and junior researchers within the research group.
- Stay current with emerging trends in smart mining, digital mineralogy, and AI applications in geosciences.
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. (or near completion) in Mineral Processing, Metallurgical Engineering, Geology/Mineralogy, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated expertise in process mineralogy techniques, including optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, XRD, and automated mineralogical analysis.
- Strong background in mineral processing principles and unit operations.
- Proficiency in Artificial Intelligence and machine learning frameworks (e.g., Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) as applied to mineral processing or materials science.
- Experience with data analysis, statistical modeling, and computational tools relevant to process optimization.
- A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals related to mineral processing, process mineralogy, or AI applications in mining and metallurgy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with automated mineralogy platforms such as MLA (Mineral Liberation Analyzer), QEMSCAN, TIMA, or similar systems.
- Familiarity with process simulation software (e.g., JKSimMet, USIM PAC, MODSIM) and plant data analytics.
- Knowledge of computer vision and image analysis techniques applied to mineralogical data.
- Experience with industry-sponsored research or collaborative projects with mining companies.
- Proficiency in French or Arabic is considered an asset for working within the Moroccan research and industrial context.
- Background in sustainable mineral processing, circular economy approaches, or green mining technologies.
- Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments for large-scale AI model training.
What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out
- Work at the forefront of AI-driven mineral processing research, a rapidly growing field with significant industrial and academic impact.
- Access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and mineralogical instrumentation.
- Opportunity to contribute to transformative research that applies artificial intelligence to real-world mineral processing challenges.
- A collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment within GSMI.
- Potential for contract renewal for an additional 12 months, offering extended research continuity.
- The position is based in Morocco, a country with a rich mining sector and growing investment in research and innovation.
- Build a strong professional network across academia and the global mining and metallurgy industry.