GCZSC - Professor in Geochemistry

Area of specialization: Critical Zone is the “heterogeneous, near-surface environment in which complex interactions involving rock, soil, water, air, and living organisms regulate the natural habitat and determine availability of life-sustaining resources ”. Its limits range from the top of the canopy down to the bottom of the aquifer. The successful applicant to this position will join the Global Critical Zone Science Chair to develop and conduct a research program to strengthen the understanding of the geological processes that created the different soils and how they govern water, air, and C, N, P, and other elements biogeochemical cycling within the critical zone. The successful candidate must understand the roles of water and atmospheric physics and chemistry in forming soils and how the use of the topsoil for agriculture interacts with geological processes. This person should have a good understanding of methods and techniques (e.g. isotopic and spectroscopic techniques) that would allow him/her to track and determine the fate and speciation of elements from the parent material and underground water to the soils, plants, animals, and atmosphere. The successful candidate must provide scientific support to the other members of the Chair in terms of mineralogy, geochemical cycling, biogeochemistry, Earth surface processes, thermodynamics, phase diagrams, and weathering. He/she must have a good understanding of paleoclimatology to model and predict future scenarios for agriculture in face of climate change and to what extent building sustainable agricultural systems can support fighting climate change.

Job description:

The Global Critical Zone Science Chair at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) invites applications for a full-time professor position in Geochemistry (open rank). The successful applicant will conduct research in Geochemistry aiming to understand and model the interactions between rocks and geological processes in the designing and development of sustainable agricultural systems. The successful applicant will provide a great understanding of the influence of geological processes and rocks on soil formation and the control it exerts on the functioning of the critical zone. This understanding must help build adequate farming systems and practices for each edaphoclimatic condition.

This knowledge will support our efforts toward understanding and managing the critical zone to build sustainable societies. The successful applicant should have good experience in geochemistry and modeling of environmental processes, which will be very useful in aggregating all the knowledge being generated.

Other duties include advising students and postdocs, teaching graduate courses at UM6P, supporting the overall activities of the Chair and have a close relationship/follow up with the Chair’s scientific committee.The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the different groups and departments of the university, including the Geology Department, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, International Water Research Institute, African Genome Center, Chemical and Biological Sciences, and Material Science, among others.

Evidence of research and teaching excellence is expected. Strong English communication skills, both verbal and written, are required.

Key duties:

Successful candidates are expected to:

• Initiate, develop, and lead joint research projects and programs in geochemistry in collaboration with a multidisciplinary consortium in the field.
• Generate external research funds to support and maintain integrated research programs.
• Establish collaboration and partnerships with great international scientific institutes.
• Supervise graduate students, develop teaching materials, and attract high level students.
• Publish in well-ranked and high-impact-factor journals.
• Teach and develop research regarding the principles of geochemistry; biogeochemical cycling of elements; fundamental biological and chemical processes controlling organic carbon sequestration in the soil; use of state-of-the-art spectroscopic and isotopic techniques; and modeling.
• Translate the basic scientific knowledge generate from the above-mentioned disciplines into sound management practices on how to better manage our soils and agricultural systems.
• Stay up to date with all current environmental science research.
• Organize datasets and modeling efforts and support the development of long-term trials.
• Willing to travel for some time to develop fieldwork in the African continent and to visit other international institutions and partners.
• Support the fulfillment of the goals and mission of the Global Critical Zone Science Chair.

Criteria of the candidate:

• PhD in environmental science, soil science, surface geochemistry, or related fields from a recognized university.
• At least 2 years of postdoctoral research experience in environmental sciences within the above-mentioned subjects, preferably with international experience.
• High publication record in international well-ranked journals (at least 10 publications in the last 3 years).
• Significant research record and leadership in molecular environmental science studies, including the use of state-of-the-art spectroscopic and isotopic techniques and modeling capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Skilled in both field and lab work.
• Good record of funding.
• Proactive, ethic, and respectful person.
• Organizational dexterity, ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Maintains positive attitude in fast-paced changing environments.