ASARI: Postdoc in biosaline agriculture

Place: UM6P Laayoune ASARI

Expected start date : June 2024

About ASARI

The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) launched by UM6P in Laayoune in 2020 within the Foum Eloued technopole project focuses on several research and development programs including biosaline agriculture, native species valorisation, camel value chain, water and renewable energy. The institute consists of a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, biochemists, molecular biologists, bioprocess specialists, animal scientist, etc to respond to regional challenges affecting marginal environments.

Job Summary

The postdoc will conduct research, prepare proposals, write reports and scientific papers to address the agricultural production issues associated with marginal environment such salinity and drought.  As such, the candidate will conduct research activities tackling all aspects related to crop production testing and developing solutions and best practices to improve agricultural productivity under marginal and arid conditions.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Develop and improve best cropping practices under marginal and arid conditions
• Test, introduce and upscale new and alternative resilient crops
• Field preparation and establishment of field trials
• Conduct controlled trials under greenhouse conditions testing crop responses to different investigated factors (stresses, amendment, photoperiod, etc.)
• Develop and deliver training modules to farmer’s, cooperatives, extension agents, etc.
• Data scheduling, collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. 
• Supervise PhD and Master students as well as interns
• Project management including budget, materials, equipment, and staff

Additional responsibilities will include:

• Research proposal writing for external funding
• Report writing for research project
• Manuscript writing and publication in referee journal. 

The candidate will also be expected to help maintain all field and laboratory equipment, order supplies as needed, and help maintain research plot records and. Responsibilities also involve frequent travelling to different experimental platforms and farmer’s fields at national and international level

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Ph.D. in agricultural sciences, agronomy, crop science, plant science, or a closely related field 
• Field based agricultural research experience is essential.
• Expertise in of one of the following areas (please indicate in covering letter):
  • Biosaline agriculture
  • Salinity management
  • Crop and soil modelling 
  • Crop production
  • Knowledge and skills in organization, time management, 
  • Statistical softwares and data analysis
• Good publications record in refereed journals
• Fluency in written and spoken English. French and Arabic will be a plus
• Experience in working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to initiate, conduct, and publish research in a scientific manner and to obtain external grant funding
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of statistics and database management
• Additional language skills, Arabic and French are desirable
• Supervisory experience