CBS - Post-doctoral fellowship in the development of MOF catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 conversion and water splitting

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) - Chemical & Biochemical Sciences CBS Department

Qualification Type: Postdoctoral position
Location: Ben Guérir, Morocco
Funding for: National/International Researchers
Funding amount: To be defined
Hours: Full Time
Placed: 21/05/2025
Closes: Until filled
Reference Application: 
Deadline: Until Filled

Job Description:

The CBS department at UM6P is looking for a highly motivated candidate with strong expertise and interest in developing MOFs and their composites for catalysis. The job vacancy involves designing, synthesizing, and characterizing highly catalytic active MOF composites for photocatalytic CO2 conversion and water splitting.

Materials synthesis will involve wet chemistry and known solid-sate methods such as mechanochemical or pyrolysis.

Required qualifications:

The candidates must have strong experience in MOF synthesis and characterization with a PhD and demonstrated experience in Materials Science, Materials Chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, catalysis, and related disciplines.

The candidate is recommended to demonstrate experience in undertaking independent research, managing research activities of Master and supervising PhD students. Fluency in English as well as a proven ability to write scientific articles are also mandatory. The post-doctoral fellow should be an effective team player to interact constructively with the interdisciplinary team of the CBS department and other collaborators with different backgrounds. For further information, please contact [email protected]

The project requires the following skills:

1. Familiar with catalytic tests for energy applications (water splitting, CO2 conversion, water splitting…) 

2. Able to monitor the obtained products through different analytical techniques including HPLC, GC-MS, Infrared gas analyzer…etc

3. Familiar with the understanding of catalytic reaction mechanism by correlating the structural, textural features, the chemical (acidity/basicity, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, etc.), and electronic properties with the presence of active sites and metals within porous materials with catalytic activity.

4. Familiar with the fabrication and characterization of porous functional materials such as MOFs, MOF composites, and the fabrication of different nanoparticles.

5. Insertion and encapsulation of nanoparticles within the porous materials

6. Able to examine the textural and structural changes of porous material catalysts before, during, and after the reaction using a panoply of characterization techniques such as XRD, N2 adsorption, FESEM, TEM, XAS, XPS, dissolution-NMR, IR spectroscopy and TGA and other related spectroscopy techniques such as UV and fluorometer.

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 to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech.

About CBS/GPE:

Research within CBS-GPE is organized around two main areas: Chemistry with its main chemical engineering component, chemo-biology and heat treatments and their applications in industries. CBS-GPE projects aim to achieve an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of these transformations to suggest new, original, more effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternatives. 

Funding information :

• This position is available for one year, extended to two years depending on the performance.

• Interested applicants should submit their online application with a CV, cover letter, and 2 contacts for recommendation. Applications are open until the position is filled. 

• Guidance from leading experts in the field and research training at UM6P.

• Workspace at UM6P campus, and resources to attend and present at conferences and workshops.

• A vibrant research environment in the CBS department, with regular research seminars, reading groups, workshops, and conferences.