About UM6P:
Located at the heart of the future Green City of Ben Guerir, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with an international standard, is established to serve Morocco and the African continent. Its vision is honed around research and innovation at the service of education and development. This unique nascent university, with its state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, has woven a sound academic and research network, and its recruitment process is seeking high-quality academics and professionals to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech. We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, and enthusiastic scholar to join our team and contribute to the advancement of air quality research, particularly in the areas of forecasting and modeling of atmospheric pollutants and their effects on public health and the environment.
Research:
The selected candidate will conduct research within the UM6P African Research Centre on Air Quality and Climate (ARC-Air). Collaborating with students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars worldwide, the Centre is committed to training a new generation of African Atmospheric Scientists and faculty members. Research endeavors primarily focus on experimental and Modelling aspects. A notable characteristic of the Centre s research is the strong collaboration among all members.
The successful candidate will work on using ground and satellite observations of atmospheric chemical species to better quantify emissions on regional to global scales through inverse analyses. She/He will also have the opportunity to work on other problems related to global atmospheric chemistry, air quality, and model development. As an Assistant Professor, you will be expected to engage in high-quality teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and contribute to the academic and professional development of students in the field of environmental science and engineering. You will also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and contribute to the development of new techniques for air quality prediction and policy-making. Responsibilities include initiating and developing high-quality research, publishing in leading journals, and presenting at international conferences.
Candidate Profile:
The Center is looking for an Associate Professor to work at the interface between Air Quality forecasting, modeling and machine learning to evaluate air pollution in Morocco and Africa using modelling tools. The project objectives fall in the area of the chemical transport modelling of the composition of the air over Morocco and Africa, better supporting air quality research, policy development and evaluation of air pollution interventions. This role uses numerical models of atmospheric chemistry and transport (FLEXPART-WRF, GEOS-Chem, and others) to increase understanding of how Morocco and Africa air pollution will respond to future changes in emissions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct cutting-edge research in air quality forecasting, air pollution modeling, and atmospheric science.
- Develop and apply innovative models to predict air quality, considering both local and global pollutant sources.
- Collaborate with other departments, research centers, and external stakeholders to expand the scope of air quality studies and influence policy.
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental science, air quality modeling, and related subjects.
- Mentor and supervise graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research assistants.
- Publish research findings in leading scientific journals and present at academic conferences.
- Secure external funding for research projects through grants, contracts, and collaborations.
- Contribute to departmental and university service, including committee work and curriculum development.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills:
- Postdoctoral experience or equivalent Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Engineering, or a closely related field with a focus on air quality, atmospheric modeling, or forecasting in air quality forecasting and modeling.
- Experience with machine learning or artificial intelligence methods applied to air quality prediction.
- Knowledge of environmental policies, regulations, and their integration into air quality forecasting.
- Experience with community engagement and outreach related to air quality science and public health.
- Demonstrated expertise in air quality modeling, atmospheric pollutant dispersion, and forecasting methods.
- A strong research record with publications in reputable journals and conferences in the field of air quality.
- Experience with computational tools and software used in atmospheric modeling (e.g., CMAQ, WRF, or similar).
- A solid understanding of air pollution impacts on public health, ecosystems, and climate change.
- The ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses effectively.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
