ASARI - Postdoctoral Position in Plant Breeding

ASARI - Postdoctoral Position in Plant Breeding

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation with a focus on Africa.

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning, committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. UM6P aims to position these fields at the forefront and become a university of international standing.

More than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities for students, professors, and staff. It offers a high-quality living and study environment thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model.

About ASARI

The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). It is located in Laayoune City and constitutes a structure of practical-based research with a vision of solving local, regional, and African agriculture challenges leveraging up-to-date science and technology. Oriented towards Africa, ASARI acts in connection with a wide network of universities and research centers around the continent to link real field issues with up-to-date science. The institute consists of a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, biochemists, molecular biologists, bioprocess specialists, and animal scientists, etc., to respond to regional challenges affecting marginal environments.

Description of the position:

The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Laayoune is seeking applications for a full-time Postdoctoral fellow in Plant Breeding who will work in the Biosaline Agriculture Research team.

The selected candidate will be responsible for planning and executing detailed field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments, specifically focusing on drought and salinity in breeding and genetics in legume/cereal crops. Additionally, the candidate will engage in breeding-related disciplines such as molecular biology, agronomy, and crop physiology. This multifaceted role includes conducting experiments, carefully gathering and analyzing data, and disseminating the research findings through publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Furthermore, the successful candidate will actively contribute to an interdisciplinary team, collaborating harmoniously to contribute to the development of resilient crop varieties that exhibit remarkable tolerance to arid and saline conditions adapted to the southern region and similar agroecological conditions of Morocco.

The aim of the study where the Postdoctoral candidate will engage is to enhance our understanding of new drought-resilient crop varieties/species response to salinity stress, evaluate their genetic diversity, and characterize their nutritional traits. This knowledge will contribute to the development of improved varieties with enhanced salinity tolerance, nutritional quality, and yield potential in salinity-prone environments in the southern region and similar agroecological conditions of Morocco.

Education

A Ph.D. in plant breeding and genetics, crop science, plant science, or related field.

Requirements

• Develop a deep understanding of plant breeding, genetics, molecular biology, agronomy, and plant physiology.
• Acquire skills in statistical analysis to design and analyze experiments, interpret data, and apply appropriate statistical models in plant breeding research.
• Familiarity with plant breeding techniques, such as phenotypic selection, hybridization, genotyping, and marker-assisted selection.
• Develop skills in data analysis and bioinformatics to handle genotyping data.
• Strong communication skills are essential for effectively presenting research findings, writing scientific papers, and collaborating with other researchers and stakeholders in the field of plant breeding.
• Experience in working with multidisciplinary team members.
• Experience in writing scientific publications.
• English communication skills, both verbal and written, are required.
• Experience supervising undergraduate/postgraduate students.