AGC - FACULTY POSITION ON MICROBIAL METABOLIC ENGINEERING AND SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning, that is committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. UM6P is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation. On a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields as the forefront and become a university of international standing.

More than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities, for students, professors and staff. It offers a high-quality living and study environment thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model.

In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions for developing up to date science and at continent level in order to address real 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.

As part of the development of its research teams, the African Genome Center (AGC) of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is launching a call for applications for the recruitment of a professor in microbial metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.

Center Description: 

The AGC entity houses a genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics platform aimed at serving as a focal point for research and training. The platform comprises a cosmopolitan, cohesive scientific community and provides an infrastructure offering state-of-the-art molecular and genomic approaches. Its main mission is to become an accredited research and diagnostic center in Morocco and Africa for basic and applied scientific research in the areas of food security, agriculture, conservation, environment and health and to participate in technology transfer and training of highly qualified personnel.

Required skills and job requirements:

The candidate will develop and work on projects related to microbial genomics, microbial metabolic engineering, and syntheticbiology research, such as:

• Design and development of DNA constructs to drive gene expression of desired functions and biosynthetic pathways inprokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes.
• Critical analysis of results to inform optimization required to improve function of native and heterologous biosyntheticpathways for product development.
• The work involves transformation of cyanobacteria and non-photosynthetic microorganisms with heterologous geneconstructs designed to cause overexpression of the corresponding proteins, followed by genetic, molecular, biochemicaland physiological analysis of the transformants.

Requirements : 

• PhD in Molecular Microbiology, Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology or related filed at highlyrecognized university with at least two years post-doctoral experiences
• Research experience in Microbial engineering, Synthetic Biology, and Metabolomics with a goodpublication record
• Teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate programs
• Writing research proposals and ability to conduct research projects
• Supervision of students, postdocs and staff
• Ability to work in a team and communicate with various interlocutors
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English