MSN - Assistant Professor in DFT Simulation of Materials

Overview of the UM6P and MSN department

Located at the heart of the future Green City in Benguerir, 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 in order to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech.

The Materials Science and Nano-engineering (MSN) department has an interdisciplinary vision based on the competence of its researchers and the relevance of the developed research themes/programs designed to meet different national and global issues.

MSN develops high-level basic and applied research in Materials Science and Nano-engineering. The developed research areas in MSN are at the borders of all aspects related to materials science. To achieve this challenge, MSN has adopted a research strategy and a clear vision, based on the following research axes:

• Energy Transition
• Smart and Functional Materials
• Circular Materials

Position Announcement

• Job Title: Open Rank Faculty Position in DFT Simulation of Materials
• Contract: Permanent position
• The selected candidate will work closely within the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster
• Place: UM6P – MSN Department – Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster
• Contact: Pr. Johan Jacquemin – johan.jacquemin@um6p.ma

Research Activities

• Develop independent research programs in Density Functional Theory (DFT) Simulation of Materials, focusing on understanding and predicting the properties of advanced materials at the atomic and electronic levels. These programs should align with the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster roadmap, emphasizing areas such as:
  • Force fields generation
  • Electronic structure and properties of functional materials
  • Interface phenomena in nanomaterials and hybrid systems
  • Simulation of materials for energy storage, conversion, and environmental applications
  • Design and optimization of materials for catalysis and electronic devices
• Collaborate with experimental teams to validate simulations and develop predictive models for novel materials
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences
• Pursue external research funding through competitive grant proposals.

Teaching activities

• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses related to Computational Materials Science, Quantum Chemistry, and DFT Simulation Techniques
• Supervise graduate students working on master's or PhD theses related to materials simulation and computational chemistry at the atomic level
• Provide academic advising to students, helping them select courses, pursue internships, and develop career paths in the field

Academic and Industry Partnerships

• Establish collaborations with other faculty members, research institutions, and industries to promote interdisciplinary research and technology transfer in computational materials science
• Engage with industry partners to align research projects with real-world challenges, fostering opportunities for industrial applications and commercialization of simulation-driven materials design
• Contribute to the development of strategic research initiatives within the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Theoretical Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field with a strong focus on DFT simulations and computational modeling
• Extensive experience in Density Functional Theory (DFT), Molecular Dynamics (MD), or other quantum mechanical simulation methods for investigating material properties.
• Strong background in electronic structure calculations, thermodynamics of materials, and solid-state physics
• Proven track record of independent research in computational materials science, demonstrated by publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in teaching undergraduate or graduate courses related to computational chemistry, quantum mechanics, or materials simulation (teaching assistant or instructor roles may be sufficient)
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments and proficiency in simulation software such as VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, Gaussian, or similar tools.
• A commitment to pedagogical innovation and the ability to mentor and engage students in active learning environments

Preferred Qualifications

• More than 5 years of experience in computational modeling and DFT simulations (including PhD, postdoctoral, or industrial research experience)
• Demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with experimentalists for materials validation and optimization
• Strong communication skills and a track record of successful grant writing and project leadership

Applicants should submit

• Cover letter outlining research experience, achievements, and research interests
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications
• Names and contact information of three external referees (who are not current UM6P faculty)
• Letters of recommendation from peers in the discipline