ASARI - Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Stress Biology of Opportunity Crops for Arid Regions Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco

The ASARI research entity at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco is offering a postdoctoral position focused on molecular stress biology of opportunity crops for arid regions. UM6P is a leading institution dedicated to applied research and innovation, with a strong commitment to sustainable economic development in Morocco and Africa. The university provides a vibrant academic environment, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a platform for experimentation and collaboration.

ASARI is recognized as a regional center of excellence in CRISPR genome editing, aiming to advance crop species that are well-suited to the marginal, arid, and saline regions of Africa. The research group has identified key gene families and targets for genome editing, with the mission to accelerate the adoption of resilient crops across Africa's challenging environments. This initiative bridges cutting-edge genome editing technologies with the unique agricultural needs of marginal African communities.

The postdoctoral fellow will focus on unraveling the transcriptional regulation of candidate genes and their associated phenotypes in selected crops subjected to drought and salt stresses. Responsibilities include conducting homologous overexpression, gene silencing, sequence analysis, and contained phenotyping. The research will contribute to determining editing modalities for crop improvement.

Applicants must possess a PhD in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, or a closely related field. Essential skills include nucleic acid isolation, PCR, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, gene overexpression and/or silencing, and proficiency in bioinformatics tools such as BLAST, Ensembl, InterProScan, Primer3, MEGA, MAFFT, Phytozome, Bioconductor, Geneious, or Clustal Omega. Proficiency in R, knowledge of plant stress biology, strong English communication skills, teamwork ability, and a solid publication record in SCI-journals are required.

Funding details are not specified in the position description. The application deadline is unspecified, so candidates are encouraged to apply promptly. To apply, submit your application via the academic positions portal and ensure your documents address all required qualifications. For further information, contact the university or follow the instructions on the portal.

This opportunity is ideal for researchers interested in plant molecular biology, genome editing, and agricultural innovation for arid and saline environments. The position offers a chance to contribute to impactful research addressing climate change and resource scarcity in Africa.