CGCZS - Faculty position in Geochemistry

Karlstad University; Occitanie; Sur place; EUR 50 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Geochemistry professor to join their innovative team. This role focuses on developing research programs that explore geological processes and their impact on sustainable agriculture. The successful candidate will engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, lead research initiatives, and contribute to teaching at the graduate level. With a commitment to addressing environmental challenges, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on critical zone science and sustainable practices. Join a dynamic and supportive academic environment that values research excellence and innovation.

Prestations

Up to 30% annual bonus

Research budget allowance

Housing benefits

Life & medical insurance

Retirement plan

Maternity leave

Sabbatical

IP sharing policy

MOOCs policy

Consulting policy

Qualifications

• PhD in environmental science or related fields is required.
• At least 2 years of postdoctoral research experience is necessary.

Responsabilités

• Lead research projects in geochemistry and develop sustainable agricultural systems.
• Supervise graduate students and teach graduate courses.

Connaissances

Geochemistry

Environmental science

Modeling of environmental processes

Isotopic techniques

Spectroscopic techniques

Paleoclimatology

Teaching skills

Research funding

Communication skills

Formation

PhD in Environmental Science

Postdoctoral research experience

Outils

Research software

Statistical analysis tools

Description du poste

CGCZS - Faculty position in Geochemistry

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

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 the face of climate change and to what extent building sustainable agricultural systems can support fighting climate change.

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 having 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.

Successful candidates are expected to:

1. Initiate, develop, and lead joint research projects and programs in geochemistry in collaboration with a multidisciplinary consortium in the field.
2. Generate external research funds to support and maintain integrated research programs.
3. Establish collaboration and partnerships with great international scientific institutes.
4. Supervise graduate students, develop teaching materials, and attract high-level students.
5. Publish in well-ranked and high-impact-factor journals.
6. 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.
7. Translate the basic scientific knowledge generated from the above-mentioned disciplines into sound management practices on how to better manage our soils and agricultural systems.
8. Stay up to date with all current environmental science research.
9. Organize datasets and modeling efforts and support the development of long-term trials.
10. Be willing to travel for some time to develop fieldwork in the African continent and to visit other international institutions and partners.
11. Support the fulfillment of the goals and mission of the Global Critical Zone Science Chair.

Criteria of the candidate:

1. PhD in environmental science, soil science, surface geochemistry, or related fields from a recognized university.
2. At least 2 years of postdoctoral research experience in environmental sciences within the above-mentioned subjects, preferably with international experience.
3. High publication record in international well-ranked journals (at least 10 publications in the last 3 years).
4. 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.
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
6. Skilled in both field and lab work.
7. Good record of funding.
8. Proactive, ethical, and respectful person.
9. Organizational dexterity, ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
10. Maintains positive attitude in fast-paced changing environments.

About UM6P:

Located at the heart of the future Green City of 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.

OCP group (http://www.ocpgroup.ma/en/home), a world leader in fertilizer production plays a great role as the founder and main supporter for the University. In parallel, a new portfolio of clients is growing in an open spirit, in parallel with the development of an R&D cluster around the university.

UM6P is a very ambitious university, enjoying ample research funding, moderate teaching load, and excellent facilities.

In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions, both international ones for developing up-to-date science and at continent level to address real African challenges.

All our programs run as start-ups and can be self-organized when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as far as funding is developed by research teams.

The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications in linkage with incubation and start-up ecosystems.

UM6P offers highly competitive salaries at the international level. Our researchers get incentives through a participation to the intellectual property they develop.

About the Critical Zone Science Chair:

The Global Critical Zone Science Chair at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is sponsored by OCP and was created with the mandate of developing the science that will support the sustainable use of our soils to build healthier ecosystems, particularly in the African continent. Soils are the connector of our major societal challenges, namely: food security, water security, energy security, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Despite its great potential, the African continent is still a net importer of food and will see its population doubling in the next decades. Besides all the efforts, environmental degradation is still on the rise in Africa.

Applications and selection procedure :

Applications must be sent to: [e-mail] , before ……… in a single electronic zipped folder with the mention of the job title in the mail’s subject. The folder must contain:

1. A cover letter indicating the position applied for, the main research interests, and how the candidate fits the position.
2. A detailed CV.
3. Contact information of 3 references (applicants are assumed to have obtained their references’ consent to be contacted for this matter).

The short-listed candidates will be invited to meet the university selection committee.

About compensation package :

• Best in class salaries
• Up to 30% annual bonus on gross salary.
• Research budget allowance to professor
• Best in class:
• IP sharing policy (33% for professor)
• MOOCs policy (60% for professor)
• Consulting policy (100% for professor when teaching time is completed)
• Complete benefits including housing, tuition fees, life & medical insurance, retirement, maternity leave, and sabbatical.

Job opportunity for husband or spouse.