MSN - Assistant Professor in Materials, Electrochemistry, and Corrosion Science

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: Assistant Professor Position in Materials, Electrochemistry, and Corrosion Science
• Contract: Permanent position
• The selected candidate will work closely within the Smart and Functional Materials Cluster
• Place: UM6P – MSN Department – Smart and Functional Materials Cluster
• Contact: Pr. Johan Jacquemin – johan.jacquemin@um6p.ma

Description of the position

This Professor position is in materials, corrosion, and their related topics. The position is intended for a confirmed professor (M/F), with at least 5 years research experience after a PhD in materials, electrochemistry, and Corrosion Science. He/she is keen on multidisciplinary work at the interface of basic research and the industrial world with confirmed experience in leading collaborative projects and supervising undergraduate students and PhDs. The Candidate must have a teaching experience of graduate courses in corrosion or related subject and have experience in the synthesis and characterisation of materials for Corrosion Science.

The position offers:

• A very competitive benefits package
• A unique portfolio of research partners and collaborators
• Highly motivated and rigorously selected PhD and Master students

Position Responsibilities and expertise:

The successful candidate must demonstrate potential to effectively develop, lead and maintain research programs. The candidate must have a strong commitment to excellence as he/she will be responsible for enhancing the quality of the research programs related to materials and corrosion engineering at MSN department.

Main tasks include fundamental & practical research and solving industrial corrosion and materials challenges, in addition exploring the environmental and design boundaries of conventional technologies, combining the academic and industry experience to find pragmatic solutions. The research interests of the candidate should be focused on:

• Study fundamental mechanisms of electrochemical reactions and corrosion.
• Explore the relationship between material structure and degradation mechanisms.
• Investigate surface and interface phenomena in materials by developing advanced in-situ and operando characterisations techniques for corrosion monitoring and understanding of degradation mechanisms.
• Develop sustainable approaches for corrosion protection and long-term materials durability.
• Evaluate material performance across key sectors like energy, chemistry, automotive... to address corrosion and degradation challenges.
• Establish national, African and internationals networks to advance collaboration in materials and corrosion science.
• Translate knowledge into impact through high-quality publications, patents, and technology transfer.
• Coordinate and manage industrial collaborations focused on corrosion sciences, materials performance, and durability solutions.

In addition, the candidate must be able to:

• Develop teaching and training progams in electrochemistry and materials science and to be involved in various UM6P teaching programs including the Bachelor, Doctoral Training Center (DTC), and Executive Education programs. The annual teaching load is 100 hours.
• Design and teach Advanced Master of Science Modules related to material science, electrochemistry, and corrosion.
• Supervise and co-supervise PhD and Master theses
• Develop and lead interdisciplinary projects that connect materials, electrochemistry, and corrosion protection, within UM6P, national and international universities and institutions.

Selection criteria:

• PhD in materials science, electrochemistry, corrosion science or a closely related field.
• Expertise in corrosion science, electrochemistry, materials characterization, or related domains.
• Evidence of independent research capability and potential to develop a competitive research program.
• Ability to design and lead original research projects addressing corrosion, materials durability, and electrochemical systems. An excellent track record in high impact peer-reviewed publications and patents.
• Potential to attract external funding through competitive research grants and industrial partnerships.
• Track record of collaboration across disciplines and with industry or government partners.
• Capacity to translate research into real-world impact.
• Good leadership and project management skills with ability to foster teamwork.
• Experience in supervising undergraduate students, graduate students, PhDs students.
• Experience in teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels in materials science, chemistry, or engineering.
• Teaching experience in higher education with the capacity to develop new courses in material science, electrochemistry and corrosion, with the ability to mentor/organize teaching programs and connect research to teaching.
• Strong communication in both French and English.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in teams.

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