CBS - Assistant Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Chemistry

About Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning, that is committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. UM6P is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation. On a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields as the forefront and become a university of international standing.

More than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities, for students, professors, and staff. It offers a high-quality living and study environment thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model.

In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions for developing up to date science and at continent level in order to address real challenges.

All our programs run as start-ups and can be self-organized when they reach a critical mass. Thus, academic liberty is promoted as far as funding is developed by research teams.

The research programs are integrated from long-term research to short-term applications in linkage with incubation and start-up ecosystems.

About the Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering (CBS)

The Chemical & Biochemical Sciences Green Process Engineering Department (CBS) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). The main objective of CBS is to set up a distinctive research-teaching program, of international level, to meet the research and teaching challenges of UM6P, on green and environmental chemistry applied to all aspects of chemical sciences: organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical biology, biochemical and thermal reactions.

Research at CBS is organized around several major areas, which aim to answer challenging industrial questions, from complex chemical and biochemical reactions to scale-up and validation of process engineering. CBS projects aim at an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of all transformations in order to propose new original alternatives in terms of efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability.

Position Overview

We invite outstanding applicants whose research lies at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Chemistry. The successful candidate will develop a competitive research program, contribute to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and engage in collaborative projects with faculty, students, and industrial partners.

The scope of the position is intentionally broad and may include (but is not limited to):

* Machine learning for molecular and reaction property prediction
* AI-based reaction modeling and retrosynthetic analysis
* Data-driven approaches to spectroscopy and structural analysis
* Cheminformatics and chemical data mining
* Computational catalysis or process optimization
* AI applications in analytical, organic, inorganic, or physical chemistry
* Automation in chemical experimentation or chemical robotics

Preferred

The selected candidate will be free to shape the balance between research, teaching, and collaborative innovation, based on their strengths and interests. During the selection process, applicants will be given the opportunity to express their preferred profile:

* Research-intensive: Focused on high-level research with light teaching duties
* Balanced: Combination of impactful research and active teaching
* Teaching-focused with applied research: Heavier involvement in curriculum development and hands-on educational innovation

Qualifications

Required:

* Ph.D. in Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
* Demonstrated ability to apply AI or machine learning tools to problems in chemistry.
* Strong publication record in reputable journals or conferences.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Desirable

* Postdoctoral or equivalent academic or industrial experience.
* Experience in handling chemical datasets and tools (e.g., RDKit, DeepChem, Gaussian, ORCA, ChemML).
* Knowledge of modern machine learning techniques (e.g., deep learning, graph neural networks, generative models).
* Interest in interdisciplinary research and/or real-world applications.

Responsibilities

* Develop and lead a research program at the AI–Chemistry interface.
* Teach courses related to chemistry, machine learning, or data-driven science.
* Supervise MSc and PhD students and contribute to curriculum development.
* Collaborate across departments and with external partners.
* Participate in the university’s broader mission of innovation and knowledge transfer.

Application Process

Candidates are invited to submit the following documents as a single PDF file:

* Cover Letter (including statement of motivation and preferred profile: research-intensive, balanced, or teaching-oriented)
* Curriculum Vitae (with list of publications)
* Research Statement (2–3 pages)
* Teaching Statement (1 page)
* Contact information for three referees (or letters of recommendation)