UM6P CEDOC- College of Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Science: Isotopic Tracers for the C - Benguerir

The International Water Research Institute (IWRI: https://www.um6p.ma/fr/institut-international-de-recherche-en-eau-iwri) of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) invites applications for a PhD student position specializing in the characterization and sustainable management of deep aquifers: understanding resources, impacts, and protection strategies, with an emphasis on water isotopes. The recruit will be part of multidisciplinary teams from Morocco, with experts in climatology, hydrology, geochemistry, GIS, remote sending, and modelling. The hired PhD candidate will undertake field and lab work, with an emphasis on water isotopes, to develop research on deep Moroccan aquifers and their significance as water resources and new evidence to characterize and highlight the importance of studying deep aquifers for sustainable water management, especially in water-scarce regions.

The selected candidate is expected to publish research findings in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals. The candidate will be based at the UM6P Benguerir campus in Morocco.

Speficic objectives to be achieved

• Review deep aquifer literature, including geological and hydrogeological aspects in Morocco;
• Discuss deep aquifer paleo-recharge, renewability, utilization challenges and opportunities
• Use isotopic mass balance models to analyze groundwater recharge and discharge processes.
• Explore groundwater age dating and isotopic tracers for deep aquifer exploration.
• Utilize remote sensing and GIS methods for monitoring large-scale aquifer systems
• Present case studies on successful deep aquifer exploration and assessment
• Discuss the risks of deep aquifer utilization and evaluate the water quality, including natural and anthropogenic contaminants
• Explain the use of numerical modeling and simulation techniques for deep aquifer analysis
• Explore deep aquifer groundwater pollution factors and different sources using isotopic tracers
• Assess the difficulties and prospects for sustainable deep aquifer management
• Discuss how to balance water resource utilization and environmental protection from pollution and overexploitation

Qualifications

We expect the candidates to have some expertise in at least one of the areas of specialization in IWRI Education and Research: Hydrology, Climatology, Environmental Geoscience, Hydrogeology, Geochemistry, Modeling  and GIS.

The position is open to applicants who hold an MS degree or Engineering graduate in the subject discipline: environmental or earth science, hydrogeology, hydrology, hydrocgeophysics, hydrologic modelling, geospatial approaches, or any closely related fields.

Desired skills:

• Good communication skills, both verbal and writing are important. Fluency in French and English is preferred.
• Experience with field measurements/activities
• GIS techniques and modelling
• Familiarity with water resources issues in Morocco will be an added value
• Experience in technical aspects related to water resources is welcomed.
• Understanding of operational requirements for a successful research project and managing resources.
• Ability to identify and fulfil the academic writing requirements for target publications.
• Ability to generate new ideas, and to build upon existing ideas to generate good concepts and solutions.

Willingness to work independently and collaborate with a diversified, multi-cultural, and international team by adopting a multi-disciplinary approach.