MSN - Assistant Professor in Process Simulation, LCA, and LCC Analyses

Overview of the UM6P and MSN department

Located at the heart of the future Green City 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 area of Marrakech.

The Materials Science and Nano-engineering (MSN) department has an interdisciplinary vision based on the competence of its researchers and the relevance of the developed research themes/programs designed to meet different national and global issues.

MSN develops high-level basic and applied research in Materials Science and Nano-engineering. The developed research areas in MSN are at the borders of all aspects related to materials science. To achieve this challenge, MSN has adopted a research strategy and a clear vision, based on the following research axes:

• Energy Transition
• Smart and Functional Materials
• Circular Materials
• Advanced Materials Simulation

Position Announcement

• Job Title: Assistant Professor in Process Simulation, LCA, and LCC Analyses
• Contract: Permanent position
• The selected candidate will work closely within the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster
• Place: UM6P – MSN Department – Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster
• Contact: Pr. Johan Jacquemin – johan.jacquemin@um6p.ma

Research Activities

• Develop independent research programs in Process Simulation using Aspen or eq., Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) analyses. These programs should align with the Process Optimization and Sustainability Cluster roadmap, focusing on:
• Process modeling, simulation, and optimization for chemical, energy, and environmental systems using Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, and other advanced process simulators
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for evaluating environmental impacts of products and processes, including carbon footprint, energy consumption, and resource efficiency
• Life Cycle Costing (LCC) for economic evaluation and sustainability assessment of industrial systems
• Development of integrated Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) frameworks for sustainable process design and optimization
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to provide holistic solutions for process efficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic viability
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences
• Pursue external research funding through competitive grant proposals

Teaching activities

• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses related to Process Simulation, Process Optimization, LCA, and LCC, , across various UM6P teaching programs including the Bachelor, Doctoral Training Center (DTC), and Executive Education programs. The annual teaching load is 100 hours.
• Supervise graduate students working on master's or PhD theses related to process design, sustainability assessments, and economic analysis
• Provide academic advising to students, guiding them in course selection, research directions, internships, and career development in process engineering and sustainability

Academic and Industry Partnerships

• Establish collaborations with other faculty members, research institutions, and industries to promote interdisciplinary research and technology transfer in process simulation and sustainability
• Engage with industry partners to align research projects with real-world challenges, fostering opportunities for industrial applications and commercialization of sustainable process solutions
• Contribute to the development of strategic research initiatives within the Advanced Materials Simulation Cluster

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field with a strong focus on process simulation and sustainability analysis
• Experience in teaching undergraduate or graduate courses related to process simulation, LCA, or process optimization, in both French and English. Teaching assistant or instructor roles are acceptable.
• Extensive experience in Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, or other advanced process simulators for modeling and optimizing chemical processes
• Proven expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies, including software tools such as GaBi, SimaPro, or OpenLCA
• Strong background in Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), and sustainability assessments
• Proven track record of independent research in process simulation and sustainability, demonstrated by publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments for process simulations and optimizations
• A commitment to pedagogical innovation and the ability to mentor and engage students in active learning environments

Preferred Qualifications

• More than 5 years of experience in process simulation, LCA, and LCC analyses (including PhD, postdoctoral, or industrial research experience)
• Demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with industry for sustainable process design and optimization
• Strong communication skills and a track record of successful grant writing and project leadership

Applicants should submit

• Cover letter outlining research experience, achievements, and research interests
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications
• Names and contact information of three external referees (who are not current UM6P faculty)
• Letters of recommendation from peers in the discipline