CESFRA - Postdoctoral Position in Agronomy and Soils Sciences Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in

The Center of Excellence for Soil and Fertilizer Research in Africa (CESFRA) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is offering a postdoctoral position in Agronomy and Soils Sciences. This opportunity is based in Benguerir, Morocco, at a university renowned for its commitment to research, innovation, and development across Morocco and the African continent. CESFRA aims to be a continental hub for knowledge, skills, and technology related to soil suitability, land use, and fertilizer development, serving a wide range of stakeholders including farmers, universities, research institutions, policy makers, and the public and private sectors.

The postdoctoral researcher will join the Center for Sustainable Soil Sciences (CAES) and contribute to innovative research on the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM), particularly focusing on its stable forms and the relationships between SOM and biological indicators of soil health under various land uses. The research will address degraded soils, organic matter management, organo-mineral amendments, microbial inoculation, plant cover, soil health and quality, and sustainable agriculture. The candidate will conduct field experiments and monitoring, aiming to evaluate the effects of land use and agricultural practices on soil carbon storage and to develop strategies for increasing stable organic matter sequestration in soils.

Main responsibilities include conducting surveys with farmers in Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan African countries, characterizing soil properties from different farms, testing methods to improve soil organic carbon content using organo-mineral resources, assessing the impact of these resources on soil carbon stocks, implementing agronomic assays to evaluate clay-humic complex stability, and studying the role of microbial activity in organic matter stabilization. The candidate will also assess the effects of organo-mineral management on soil biological parameters, including soil fauna, and use soil organic models to predict future dynamics under global climate change. Mentoring master and PhD students is also expected.

Applicants must hold a doctorate in Agronomy, Soils Sciences, or Soil Ecology, with hands-on experience in soil organic matter dynamics. Strong knowledge of soil science, soil fertility, and crop production systems in Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa is required. Candidates should be skilled in setting up field experiments, interpreting data with statistical methods, and producing high-quality scientific manuscripts. Experience in multidisciplinary research, a strong publication record, and supervision of undergraduate or graduate students are essential. Proficiency in English and French, both written and verbal, is necessary.

The application process requires a cover letter, detailed CV, statement of research and teaching interests, and three reference letters. The successful candidate is expected to start on 1st September 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the provided application link.