AGBS - Assistant Professor in Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Plant Breeding

Position Announcement - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), College of Agriculture and Environmental Science (CSAES), AgroBioSciences program (AgBS),

Areas of research:

Pre- breeding, molecular breeding, phenotyping, genomics, genetic resources, agronomy, stress resistance, plant-environment interaction

About UM6P:

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P,https://www.um6p.ma/en) is an international higher education institution, established to provide research and innovation at the service of education and development for Morocco and the African continent. It has a state-of-the-art campus at the heart of the Green City of Benguerir, near Marrakesh. UM6P academics and staff enjoy strong research funding, moderate teaching loads, and excellent facilities. Its research approach is transdisciplinary with an emphasis on international collaboration. Many of our research programs run as start-ups. OCP group (http://www.ocpgroup.ma/en/home), a world leader in fertilizer production, is a major starter client for the University providing capital and research funds. In parallel, a new portfolio of clients is growing with the development of an R&D cluster around the University and a growing number of international partnerships.

About the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science (CAES) and AgroBiosciences Program (AgBS) at UM6P:

The College of Agriculture and Environmental Science (CAES) is a component of the Science & Technology pole of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). It constitutes a structure of higher education and practical-based research with a vision of solving real African agriculture challenges leveraging up to date science and technology. Oriented towards Africa, CAES acts in connection with a wide network of universities and research centers around the continent in order to link real field issues with up-to-date science. Research on plant nutrition, (a)biotic stresses resistance and biofortification is part of the AgroBiosciences Program (AgBS) with main focus on Moroccan and African agriculture challenges in particular meeting the food and nutritional security. 

Job description:

We are seeking applications for a full-time Assistant Professor having experience in the field of genetics, genomics, and molecular plant breeding with good experience in the utilization of genetic resources (landraces and wild crop relatives). The candidate should have expertise in interconnecting molecular breeding, phenotyping, genomics, genetics and molecular plant breeding. He should have familiarity with trait discovery, phenotyping and plant physiology, for crop improvement.

The successful candidate is expected to work with an interdisciplinary team to develop research programs revolving around crop improvement. The position is part of the Crop Improvement laboratory / Biodiversity and Plant Science program. Priority will be given to the candidates having research experience particularly in international research organization and on African agricultural challenges and have publications in genetics and genomics, pre-breeding and marker trait associations. Evidence and excellence in research and teaching is required all with the ability to professionally engagement with a diverse faculty, staff, and students across the university and externally are required. Good English communication skills; both verbal and written are required.

Main responsibilities:

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Contribute with multidisciplinary research of the crop improvement team, 
• Contribute to the crop improvement research program and conduct research activities and projects on genetics and genomics in arid, semi-arid and tropical regions,
• Conduct large screening and phenotyping experiments and identification of potential resistance sources and associated traits for major biotic and abiotic plant stresses (drought, high temperature, nutrient deficiency, etc.),
• Contribute to the research activities on genetics and genomics applied to plant breeding on cereal and legume crops.
• Apply molecular breeding approaches including QTLs, GWAS, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomics and functional genome approaches, and introgression of novel genes from potential donors including landraces and wild relatives. 
• Contribute to the development of improved cereal and legume germplasm with adaptation to different agroecologies,  
• Establish and/or maintain collaboration with global Centers of Excellence to review, and implement new techniques for genetics, genomics and plant breeding.
• Establish, develop and implement collaborative research partnership with different potential partners from Africa and advanced research institutes, 
• Develop research proposals for funding from potential donors and prepare submissions for external, international funding to support and maintain integrated research programs.
• Supervise graduate and undergraduate students and develop teaching materials , 
• Keep up-to-date on developments in plant breeding through scientific literature, and publish research findings in ISI-peer reviewed scientific journals with high journal Impact Factors. 
• Develop, participate and produce technical material for teaching M.Sc. and undergraduate classes, training, and other potential capacity-building courses/programs.
• Contribution to establishing and/or maintaining collaboration with other research entities at CAES, UM6P and external partners, 

Education, qualifications and experience

• PhD in the field of agronomy with specialization in quantitative genetics, genomics, molecular biology, and plant breeding,
• Good experience in genetics and genomics for plant breeding including gene targeting, marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection, and other functional genome approaches, 
• At least 6 years’ experience in the field of research and contribution to cereal and legume varietal selection and development, 
• Significant research record and leadership in genetics and genomics in the field of plant breeding in arid, semi-arid, and tropical regions 
• High publication record in leading international and well ranked journals 
• Good experience in teaching and supervising postgraduate students and postdocs,  
• Good English communication skills, both verbal and written, 
• Aptitude for teamwork, problem solving and collaborative work, 
• Positive attitude in changing fast-paced environments, 

Employment terms:

The successful candidate will be employed on a competitive salary by the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) based in Benguerir, Morocco.

Applications and selection procedure:

Applications must be sent using a single electronic zipped folder with the mention of the job title in the mails subject. The folder must contain:

• Cover letter indicating the position applied for and the main research interests. 
• Detailed CV.
• Research statement 
• Teaching statement 
• Contact information of 3 references (Applicants are assumed to have obtained their references’ consent to be contacted for this matter).

Applications are to be submitted by May 31^st, 2024, directly on the SF hiring platform.