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
- Advanced Materials Simulation
Position Announcement
- Job Title: Open Rank Faculty Position in Experimental and 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 – [email protected]
Research Activities
- Develop independent research programs bridging experimental and 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
- Advanced characterization techniques for materials, including neutron diffraction and synchrotron-based facilities.
- 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 in Computational Materials Science, Quantum Chemistry, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulation techniques, across various UM6P teaching programs including the Bachelor, Doctoral Training Center (DTC), and Executive Education programs. The annual teaching load is 100 hours.
- Supervise graduate students conducting Master's and PhD research in materials simulation and atomic-level computational chemistry.
- Provide academic advising to students, supporting them in course selection, internship opportunities, and career development in the field of computational materials science.
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 all existing Clusters of the MSN department and UM6P ecosystem.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Materials Science, Theoretical Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field with a strong focus on DFT simulations and computational modeling
- Experience in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses related to materials science, characterization, and modeling, including computational chemistry, quantum mechanics, and materials simulation, in both French and English. Teaching assistant or instructor roles are acceptable.
- Extensive expertise in material characterization, with strong integration of Density Functional Theory (DFT) and COMSOL Multiphysics.
- Knowledge of energy-related materials is highly appreciated.
- Solid background in structure refinement, electronic structure calculations, thermodynamics of materials, and solid-state physics.
- Proven track record of independent research in both experimental and computational materials science, demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- International (overseas) experience is required.
- Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments and proficiency in simulation tools such as VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, Gaussian, COMSOL, or equivalent software.
- 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 material characterization using large instruments (Neutron Diffraction and Synchrotron) combined with computational modelling 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 particularly in English for Teaching purpose 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
