Postdoctoral Fellow in Bioprocesses for Rare Earth Element Bioleaching and Biorecovery from Secondary Sources

About UM6P:

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa and aims to position itself among world-renowned universities in its fields. The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. A mechanism that enables it to consolidate Morocco's frontline position in these fields, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills training relevant for the future of Africa. Located in the municipality of Benguerir, in the very heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to leave its mark nationally, continentally, and globally.

About the Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering (CBS)

The CBS department is an entity of the UM6P. The main objective of CBS is to set up a distinctive research-teaching program of international level, in order to meet the research and teaching challenges of UM6P, in particular on green and environmental chemistry applied to all aspects of chemical sciences: organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical biology, biochemical and thermal reactions. Research at CBS is organized around several major areas, which aim to answer challenging industrial questions, from complex chemical and biochemical reactions to scale-up and validation of process engineering. CBS projects aim at an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of all transformations in order to propose new original alternatives in terms of efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability.

Job Description

The CBS department is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research team. The position focuses on the development, optimization, and integration of advanced bioprocesses for the bioleaching and biorecovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from secondary sources. The successful candidate will investigate the bioleaching capabilities of pre-selected microorganisms and their metabolites. The role also involves identifying and characterizing the dominant bioleaching mechanisms through advanced omics approaches. A significant aspect of the work includes the discovery, engineering, and application of biomolecules—particularly bioligands—that participate in REE complexation and recovery. The candidate will design and implement engineered peptide- and protein-based systems for selective REE capture, explore their immobilization onto synthetic matrices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Apply omics-based approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) to identify and characterize biomolecules involved in REE interaction and recovery.

• Engineer peptide- and protein-based bioligands with high specificity for selective REE binding and recovery.

• Develop and test immobilization strategies for biomolecules on various synthetic supports.

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including microbiologists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, and omics specialists.

• Prepare scientific publications, technical reports, and conference presentations.

• Contribute to grant writing and the development of future research proposals.

Candidate Criteria

• Ph.D. in bioengineering, omics sciences, or a closely related field.

• Proven experience in omics data generation and analysis (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics).

• Strong background in microbial physiology, protein/peptide engineering, or bioprocess development.

• Experience in biomolecule immobilization or materials science is considered an asset.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.

• Excellent scientific writing and oral communication skills.

• A strong record of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Application and Selection

The application folder must contain:

• Detailed CV,

• Cover letter along with a synthetic presentation of the background, research works, projects and activities, publications, key achievements,

• 3 reference letters.