CRSA - Postdoctoral Position in Impact of Subsurface Soil Salinity on Agricultural...

Job Title: 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.