UM6P CEDOC- College of Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Science - 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 Isotopic Analysis of Nitrate in Water Systems: Tracing Sources, Processes, and Implications for Water Pollution in Morocco. 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 to achieve a comprehensive overview of nitrate pollution and its implications on water quality and the application of  isotopic tools for studying nitrate pollution.

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

• Background on water pollution and its environmental impact in Morocco
• Overview of nitrate pollution and its effects on water quality
• Review of nitrate pollution and isotopic analysis literature
• Discuss isotopes for tracing nitrate origins and processes and understand nitrate pollution dynamics.
• Design water and nitrate analysis sample protocols
• Describe nitrate isotopic analysis methods (e.g., 15N, 18O)
• Discuss water system processes that affect nitrate isotopic composition.
• Identify nitrate sources using isotopes (e.g., agricultural runoff, sewage, atmospheric deposition)
• Develop isotopic mixing models to estimate their contributions.
• Discuss the consequences of nitrate isotopes for water quality management and policy considerations.
• Present case studies in Morocco using nitrate isotopes to analyze water contamination.
• Recommend employing isotopic analysis to address water pollution.

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, hydrochemistry, climatology, 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.