ASARI - Professor in Agriculture Water Management, Open Rank Position

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 ASARI

The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). It is located in Laayoune City and constitutes a structure of practical-based research with a vision of solving real Local, Regional, and African agriculture challenges leveraging up-to-date science and technology.

Oriented towards Africa, ASARI 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. 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.

ASARI is composed of three main research programs:

• •    AgriBioTechnology program leverages up to date technologies in the service of the Southern Moroccan and Sub-Saharan agriculture challenges. Its ambition is to conduct relevant and cutting-edge research on plant/crop improvement, biosaline agriculture, valorization of local
• agricultural and marine resources, and animal nutrition and reproduction with a positive impact on the African agriculture.
• •    Water treatment and management program which is oriented towards the development of cost-effective desalinization processes for agriculture use and water treatment, management and analysis.
• •    Renewable energy program that is aiming to develop new approaches for the production of clean energy to address real local and regional challenges.

JOB SUMMARY

ASARI is seeking applications for a full-time Professor in the field of agricultural water and irrigation management. The appointed candidate is expected to conduct research, prepare proposals, write reports and scientific papers related to agricultural water management, irrigation solutions, soil-water-plant interaction, crop modeling, and best management practices to improve water use efficiency in arid and marginal zones.

The candidate is also expected to develop teaching modules about agricultural water and irrigation management and deliver courses related to those fields.

JOB RESPONSABILITIES

• Provide research support in thematic areas related to agricultural water management, through key research tasks such as conducting fieldwork, contributing to land and irrigation suitability mapping, irrigation design and management, processing and analysis of data, and report writing.
• Lead data collection and contribute to the situational analyses to identify status of farming systems and feasibility assessments for informing context-specific and fit-for-purpose agriculture water and irrigation management solutions.
• Play a key role in leading project activities in different case study sites in Morocco and Africa for implementing agricultural water and irrigation management solutions and coordinate with local partners and stakeholders
• Collaborate with and/or provide support to ASARI researchers working in agricultural projects.
• Lead in planning, organizing and facilitating teaching, capacity building, training and interaction in the project sites, when necessary.
• Conduct systematic reviews and meta-analysis and synthesis of outputs to produce peer- reviewed publications according to project timelines.
• Provide support to preparing project-specific communication materials.
• Take the initiative and undertake outreach, including publication of research findings
• Prepare and design simulation studies using water, soil and crop modeling tools
• Compile and analyze experimental data, interpret results, prepare presentations and manuscripts, and publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Prepare innovative research projects and prepare grant-proposals
• Supervise Postdoc, PhD and Master students as well as interns
• Project management including budget, materials, equipment, and staff

The candidate will also be expected to help maintain all field and laboratory equipment, order supplies as needed, and help maintain research plot records. Responsibilities also involve frequent travelling to different experimental platforms and farmer’s fields within Morocco and Africa. The successful candidate is also expected to collaborate actively with other members of the ASARI group in Laayoune as well as other research entities at the UM6P and other universities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Ph.D. in agricultural science/irrigation sciences, agronomy, water management, or a closely related field
• A confirmed experience in the field
• Demonstrated research experience in conducting on-station and on-farm research and also greenhouse and lab work on irrigation, salinity /agronomy as required.
• Expertise in the following areas (please indicate in the cover letter):
  • Irrigation and agricultural water management
  • Marginal and desert environments
  • Water-Crop-Soil modelling
  • Water use efficiency
• Proficiency with statistical analysis and visualization using tools (R, SAS, etc.) and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated publication record in well-ranked journals
• Experience in working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Working knowledge of projects and database management
• Additional language skills, Arabic and French are desirable
• Experience writing proposals and applying for grants
• Supervisory experience

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

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

• A detailed CV
• A synthetic presentation of the background, research works, projects and activities, publications, key achievements
• A research and teaching plan, entrepreneurial ideas and concepts, and services for UM6P community: max 3-4 pages
• 3 references letters