MSN - Postdoc Position on Membranes Development for Hydrogen Production and Utilization

About UM6P:

Located at the heart of the future Green City of Benguerir, MohammedVI 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 to boost its quality-oriented research environment in the metropolitan area of Marrakech.

About MSN department:

The Department of Materials Science, Energy, and nano-Engineering (MSN) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco has been in operation for 4 years and during that time expanded quite substantially. The number of employees is around 42, including 13 professors, 24 guest professors, 15 post-Doctoral fellows, 40 PhD students, and 52 Executive Master students. The department is organized in 4 Scientific Areas: Energy (batteries and hydrogen), Polymers and Composite Materials, Surface Science, and Sustainable Materials and Re-cycling.

Description of the position and duties:

The position is devoted to organic synthesis and studies of ion conducting polymers and polymer-based membranes (anion and cation exchange membranes). These materials will be used in hydrogen fuel cells and for water electrolyzer (alkaline and PEM). The research will focus on developing synthetic strategies and know how to design, to synthesis and functionalize these materials from the molecular level to achieve membranes with high selectivity, conductivity, and stability.  

The candidate is expected to have an extensive experience in chemistry of polymers and organic synthesis, development of new monomers, ionomers, ionogels, oligomers and polymers along with chemical modification and post- polymerization modification, polymer characterization, preparation of functional membranes, as well as analysis of ion selectivity and conductivity, mechanical and thermal properties with a focus on thermochemical stability and aging, membrane testing to determine IEC, transference number and selectivity, chemical stability and assembling/testing with electrodes.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute and establish active research in the field of selective membranes for water electrolysis to produce hydrogen and for fuel cells within the hydrogen group at the MSN department and to participate indifferent activities of the department.

The applicant must have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, polymer chemistry. Extensive experience in membrane development, testing and polymer synthesis, functionalization, modification, are mandatory.

Knowledge or mastering computational fluid dynamics software and modeling tools to simulate and study fluid flow through porous electrode, membranes, electrode membrane assembly (MEA) for electrolysis and fuel cells will be an asset.

Preference will be given to applicants with excellent and relevant R&D along with excellent publication track record. Good communication skills, both verbal and writing are mandatory in English.