Postdoctoral Researcher in Seawater Desalination Pretreatment Processes

About the Role

The International Water Research Institute (IWRI) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in desalination and water treatment. This position is part of a funded project supported by OCP Green Water, focusing on seawater desalination pretreatment, particularly media filtration processes. You will join a dynamic, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research environment combining fundamental and applied research to address real-world water challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and set up a pilot-scale media filtration process for seawater pretreatment prior to desalination, including system configuration and performance validation.
• Develop comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) protocols for the media filtration system to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
• Organize and conduct field missions with on-site pilot-scale trials to evaluate efficiency, robustness, and operational behavior under real conditions.
• Collect and analyze operational data, diagnose performance issues, and propose evidence-based corrective measures or process improvements.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal teams, project partners, and the funding agency.
• Contribute to developing research projects and funding applications; disseminate findings through publications and international conferences.
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Required Qualifications

• PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• Up to 2 years of relevant experience in desalination and filtration systems.
• Knowledge of transport phenomena with emphasis on mass transfer in column filtration systems.
• Experience in water quality analysis for assessing water treatment process performance.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills for multidisciplinary environments.
• Fluency in English and French, both spoken and written.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel for fieldwork.

Advantageous Experience

• Hands-on experience with media filtration processes.
• Proven experience leading or contributing to research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to generate innovative ideas and develop novel solutions.

Contract Details

1-year fixed-term contract with possibility of one-year extension. Starting date: as soon as possible.