Employer: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)
Location: Benguerir, Morocco
Institutional Unit: Center of Excellence for Soil and Fertilizer Research in Africa (CESFRA)
Salary: Competitive
Closing Date: August 3, 2025
Start Date: September 1, 2025
Position Overview
The Center of Excellence for Soil and Fertilizer Research in Africa (CESFRA), part of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral position in Agronomy and Soil Sciences. This role will focus on the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) and strategies to improve its stable forms, as well as understanding its relationship with biological indicators of soil health across diverse land use systems.
The selected candidate will work within a multidisciplinary and international research environment dedicated to advancing sustainable agricultural practices across Africa.
Research Focus Areas
- Degraded soils and their restoration
- Organic matter stabilization and sequestration
- Organo-mineral amendments and soil microbial inoculation
- Soil biological health indicators (e.g., soil fauna)
- Field-based experimentation and modeling of SOM dynamics
- Sustainable agricultural practices and land use optimization
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct field surveys with farmers in Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan African regions to assess prevailing agricultural practices
- Characterize soil samples from multiple land use contexts
- Test and evaluate the effects of organo-mineral resources on SOM content under both controlled and field conditions
- Analyze clay-humic complexes and microbial influences on SOM stability
- Investigate soil biological parameters linked to soil health
- Use predictive models to estimate SOM behavior under future climate scenarios
- Mentor master’s and PhD students involved in related research
Qualifications and Experience
- A PhD in Agronomy, Soil Sciences, or Soil Ecology, with specialization in soil organic matter dynamics
- Demonstrated expertise in field experimentation, data analysis, and interpretation of soil health metrics
- Experience working on soils in Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan African agro-ecosystems
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals relevant to agronomy or soil science
- Ability to mentor graduate students and collaborate in interdisciplinary settings
- Proficiency in both English and French (written and oral)
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit the following documents:
- Cover letter specifying the position and outlining research interests
- Detailed curriculum vitae
- Statement of research and teaching interests
- Three letters of reference
About the Institution
Located in the future Green City of Benguerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an internationally oriented research university dedicated to education and innovation serving Morocco and Africa. CESFRA aims to be a continental hub of knowledge, providing expertise in land use, soil fertility, and fertilizer research to stakeholders across the continent, including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and private sector actors.
