Mohammed VI Polytechnic University

Position Announcement

Job Title: Postdoctoral fellow

Area of discipline: Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry
Specialization: organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, cellulose chemistry

About UM6P
Located at the heart of the future Green City of Mohammed VI in Benguerir, Mohammed VI
Polytechnic University (UM6P), a higher education institution with an international standard,
is established to serve Morocco and the African continent. Its vision is honed around research
and innovation at the service of education and development. This unique nascent university,
with its state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, has woven a sound academic and research
network, and its recruitment process is seeking high quality academics and professionals in
order to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan areas of Marrakech
and Rabat.

About the Supramolecular Nanomaterials Group (SNG)

The SNG at UM6P is a multidisciplinary group of scientists and engineers dedicated to (a) the
development of advanced nanomaterials and composites thereof using materials/process
engineering strategies and chemical methods, (b) understanding and controlling their
underlying mechanical and rheological properties, and (c) utilizing the knowledge gathered and
the materials invented to address key technological challenges in Morocco.

Position summary
A postdoctoral fellow position is currently available in the SNG at UM6P-Rabat, with a focus
on the molecular an supramolecular chemistry of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), notably: (a)
covalent surface modification of NCC using synthetic organic methods, (b) non-covalent
surface modification of NCC using supramolecular methods, (c) structural and microscopic
characterization of the materials generated, (d) mechanical and rheological properties of said
materials, (e) scale up and commercialization. The incumbent will be expected to (a) lead the
group’s NCC functionalization, characterization, and scale up efforts by means of state-of-the-
art synthetic molecular and supramolecular chemical methods, (b) closely interact with
researchers within the SNG and UM6P, as well as with external clients and collaborators. This
is a unique and challenging opportunity to lead product development from conception to
commercialization and to advance the development of functional nanomaterials in Morocco.
S/he will participate in progress review meetings, report and discuss results and explore
opportunities for new activities consistent with the goals of the program. S/he will prepare
technical reports, manuscripts and invention disclosures, and will present results in relevant
conferences.
The main areas of activity will be (a) synthesize and graft small molecules on the surface of
NCC and characterize the resulting materials, (b) functionalize the surface of NCC using layer-
by-layer deposition, polymers, block copolymers, surfactants, and investigated their structure
and properties, (c) adapt existing or develop new processes for the preparation of said materials,
(d) develop processes for scale up of said materials, (e) investigate the structure, chemical,
physical, and mechanical properties of said materials, (f) supervise graduate students and/or

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postdoctoral fellows when required; (g) assist with the drafting of research proposals; (h) assist
with the management and administration of the SNG.
Job description:
The successful candidate will have the following problem-solving skills:
• Identify and implement the most appropriate synthetic methods/processes for the
preparation of functionalized NCC. Develop new methods/processes when needed.
• Investigate the structure, thermal, and mechanical properties of functionalized NCC using
a broad range of techniques, notably electron microscopy, light scattering,
thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, differential scanning
calorimetry, rheometry.
• Analyze and validate results, extract meaningful information and reach final decision on
the project’s outcomes.
• In consultation with the principal investigator (PI), generate advanced technical reports and
scientific manuscript in English. This activity is essential for the SNG’s ability to seek
funding, to file for patents, to disseminate scientific knowledge in peer-reviewed journals,
and to contribute to the organization’s visibility and scientific impact.
• Seek information from scientific databases, journals, and other publications to help in
substantiating a research proposal, publication, or research strategy.
• Actively manage multidisciplinary projects in the chemical science and related areas by
providing input verbally and in writing to group members, collaborators and clients.
• Consistently look after group members’ needs, and ensure they are provided support from
a chemistry perspective to maintain a high level of productivity. Challenges must be
discussed with the PI and solutions must be found and implemented in consultation with
the PI.
• Establish and/or maintain external collaborations. Address questions and follow up with
partners and/or collaborators. This is essential for the continual advancement of the group’s
research goals and the organization’s visibility.

The successful candidate will have the following decision-making skills:

• Decide which synthetic strategies and processes are most appropriate, in terms of the yield,
product quality, and time efficiency. When necessary, develop novel methods to address
unexpected challenges.
• Determine and locate any resources/guidance (internally or externally to UM6P), which
may be required to advance a project.
• Decide whether research results are complete and reliable and establish the most
comprehensive and creative manner for communicating these results in advanced technical
reports, scientific manuscripts, or invention disclosures to achieve maximum impact.
• Determine and locate the necessary background intellectual information using
appropriately chosen resources such as scientific databases and journals to help substantiate
a research proposal, publication, or research strategy.
• In consultation with the PI, recognize and discuss challenges within the group and
organization; brainstorm and implement optimal solutions to address specific concerns so
that the highest level of productivity can be maintained and maximum impact from the
collaborative work between group members and collaborators can be achieved.
• In consultation with the PI, recognize the needs and challenges of group members and
provide the most appropriate support from a materials preparation and characterization
perspectives.

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• Proactively engage in collaborative research by providing solutions and demonstrating the
potential of synthetic molecular and supramolecular chemistry in addressing important
R&D challenges.

Key duties:
70% effort. Lead all aspects of organic synthesis and NCC functionalization. Develop and/or
synthetic chemistry processes to optimize the production of these materials. Transfer the
materials produced, the knowledge and findings to researchers at UM6P and to external clients
and collaborators when required.
10% effort. Assist the PI and group members in writing manuscripts for publication, research
proposals to acquire relevant equipment or expand research programs consistent with the
mission and vision of the SNG.
10% effort. Assist in the management and administration of the SNG. This activity may include
several components, notably (a) collect, analyze, and summarize scientific literature relevant
to a given project, (b) develop materials isolation and characterization process sections for a
given proposal, (c) coordinate the organization of proposal applications where materials
science and engineering expertise is needed, (d) administer some equipment used in the
program, (e) ensure standard operating procedures are generated for all key nanomaterials
produced.
5% effort. Co-supervise research progress of graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows.
This activity entails regular discussion with group members to ensure they are making progress
in their research investigations. Discuss with the PI any challenges and roadblocks and ensure
that the proposed solutions are implemented and followed upon.
5% effort. Effectively communicate in English both verbally and in writing in order to
disseminate results and expertise to group members, clients and collaborators and/or to
represent the SNG at conferences, meetings, and/or workshops.

Criteria of the candidate:

The ideal candidate must have a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, or related
areas. The successful candidate should have:
• Extensive knowledge and experience with the chemical functionalization of nanocellulose
using state-of-the-art molecular and supramolecular methods.
• Extensive experience in characterization techniques of organic compounds and
nanomaterials/biomaterials, notably, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron
microscopy, light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal
analyzers, differential scanning calorimetry, rheometry.
• Significant experience in process development for the preparation and scale-up of NCC
and its derivatives.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and interpret data and assess whether additional
investigations are needed to complete a project before disclosure.
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects at any given time.