IWRI - Postdoctoral Fellow, Membrane-Based Pretreatment for SWRO Desalination

About UM6P :

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is a forward-looking, internationally oriented institution of higher education dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. Its mission is firmly anchored in supporting the sustainable economic development of Morocco and the African continent. UM6P places applied research and technological innovation at the core of its academic model, with the ambition of positioning Africa-driven research at the global forefront and establishing itself as a university of international standing.

Beyond the traditional role of a university, UM6P serves as a dynamic platform for experimentation, innovation, and impact. It offers a high-quality academic and living environment, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge laboratories, and a vibrant research ecosystem that empowers students, faculty, and staff to fully realize their potential.

UM6P’s research philosophy is grounded in transdisciplinarity, entrepreneurship, and strong collaboration with external partners, including industry, public institutions, and international research organizations. This approach enables the development of advanced, solution-oriented science capable of addressing real-world challenges at both national and continental scales.

All academic and research programs at UM6P are conceived and managed with a start-up mindset, fostering agility, autonomy, and impact. Programs are encouraged to self-organize and scale once they reach critical mass, with academic freedom strongly supported through research-driven funding models led by the teams themselves.

About IWRI :

The International Water Research Institute (IWRI) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), located in Benguerir, Morocco, is a leading institute dedicated to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary education, research, and innovation in the fields of water, climate, and sustainable development.

IWRI’s mission is to advance cutting-edge, impact-oriented research that bridges local and regional water challenges with global water and climate issues. The institute promotes integrated scientific, technological, and policy-driven solutions to enhance resilience, sustainability, and socio-economic development, particularly in water-scarce and climate-vulnerable regions.

IWRI’s core research and innovation activities focus on the following areas:

• Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
• Development of water-related technologies, including irrigation, water supply and sanitation, desalination, demineralization, water treatment, recycling, and water reuse
• Water–Energy–Food–Health–Education Nexus
• Water–soil interactions, droughts, and desertification
• Water-related hazards and risk assessment
• Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
• Water information systems, knowledge management, and decision-support tools
• Forecasting, monitoring, and early warning systems
• Environmental sustainability and sustainable development Through strong collaboration with national and international academic institutions, public stakeholders, and industry partners, IWRI aims to strengthen its role as a regional and international reference center for water and climate research, delivering scientific excellence, technological innovation, and actionable solutions for Africa and beyond.

Job Description :

The International Water Research Institute (IWRI) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position in desalination and water treatment, within the framework of an applied research project.

We are seeking highly motivated candidates with demonstrated expertise in seawater desalination pretreatment, with a particular emphasis on the Membrane-Based Processes. The successful candidate will contribute to the development, optimization, and scale-up of advanced pretreatment solutions for seawater desalination.

The selected candidate will join a dynamic, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research environment, characterized by a strong tradition of integrating fundamental research with applied engineering to deliver impactful, real-world solutions to pressing water challenges.

Key Duties :

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Seawater monitoring and characterization:
  Planning and conducting periodic sampling campaigns of raw seawater, and monitoring its physicochemical and biological quality.
• Data analysis and modeling:
  Processing and analyzing seawater quality data and developing statistical and mathematical models to correlate feed-water characteristics with pretreatment performance.
• System design and laboratory experimentation:
  Designing, assembling, and operating a lab-scale Membrane-Based system for seawater pretreatment, including system configuration, optimization, and performance validation.
• Operation and maintenance protocol development:
  Developing and implementing a comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) protocol to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Membrane-Based system.
• Pilot-scale testing and field deployment:
  Organizing and conducting field missions and pilot-scale trials to assess the efficiency, robustness, and operational behavior of the Membrane-Based pretreatment process under real seawater conditions.
• Performance assessment and process optimization:
  Collecting and interpreting operational data, diagnosing performance limitations or fouling issues, and proposing data-driven corrective actions and process improvements.
• Reporting and knowledge transfer:
  Preparing high-quality technical reports, datasets, presentations, and documentation for internal team.
• Scientific dissemination:
  Contributing to peer-reviewed scientific publications and presenting research outcomes at national and international conferences.

Qualifications & Requirements :

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Water-Process Engineering, Membrane Materials and Processes, or a closely related discipline.
• Relevant experience in desalination and/or filtration systems, at laboratory, pilot, or industrial scale.
• A strong background in ceramic membrane materials and processes is a significant advantage.
• Mandatory hands-on experience with water treatment processes.
• Experience in water quality analysis for evaluating and monitoring the performance of water treatment systems.
• Proven experience in leading or contributing to research projects is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to generate innovative ideas, build upon existing concepts, and develop novel, practical solutions.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
• Fluency in English and French, both written and spoken.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality scientific manuscripts suitable for publication in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork and project-related activities; a valid driver’s license is required.

Contract Type

1-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Starting Date

As soon as possible.