Research Engineer in Industrial Systems and Smart Logistics

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa and aims to position itself among world-renowned universities in its fields

The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. A mechanism that enables it to consolidate Morocco's frontline position in these fields, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills training relevant for the future of Africa.

Located in the municipality of Benguerir, in the very heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to leave its mark nationally, continentally, and globally.

Position Summary:

The UM6P Vanguard Center & UM6P's School of Applied Sciences & Engineering invite applications for a Research Engineer in Industrial Systems and Smart Logistics to support the Wicked Problems (WiP) learning ecosystem. This position is focused on developing advanced modeling, control, and optimization strategies for modern industrial systems—spanning smart manufacturing, real-time logistics, predictive maintenance, and industrial automation—while guiding student teams in designing impactful, data-driven solutions for industrial-scale challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Mentor student projects involving factory automation, intelligent scheduling, smart warehousing, production line optimization, fleet management, and logistics systems.

·       Guide the application of operations research, system dynamics, and digital technologies for resource-efficient, sustainable industrial systems.

·       Support the use of simulation environments and industrial tools (e.g., discrete event simulation, digital twins, SCADA-integrated models).

·       Co-develop interactive platforms and low-cost demonstrators for real-time decision-making in supply chains and manufacturing processes.

·       Collaborate with industrial partners such as OCP to ground WiP challenges in real-world datasets and operational scenarios.

·       Contribute to research outputs on sustainable industry, smart logistics, and the digital transformation of value chains.

·       Publish research and co-author student-led publications resulting from WiP investigations.

·       Contribute to applied research motivated by the WiP investigations.

Required Qualifications:

·       Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research, Logistics, or a related field.

·       Proven expertise in manufacturing systems, industrial automation, or supply chain optimization.

·       Proficiency in modeling and simulation software (e.g., AnyLogic, Simio, Arena, FlexSim) and mathematical optimization tools (e.g., CPLEX, Gurobi, Pyomo).

·       Strong programming and data handling skills (e.g., Python, R, SQL, MATLAB).

·       Motivation to support experiential, project-based learning and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable Qualifications (at least two of the following):

·       Familiarity with Industry 4.0 tools: IoT, cyber-physical systems, SCADA, OPC-UA, and MES systems.

·       Background in lean manufacturing, predictive maintenance, or real-time logistics coordination.

·       Experience with intelligent scheduling, transportation optimization, or supply chain resilience.

·       Knowledge of sustainability metrics and environmental impact modeling in production systems.

·       Interest in co-creating digital tools or educational platforms for industrial system modeling.

Cross-Application Domains May Include:

·       Mining, fertilizers, and process industries (e.g., OCP use cases)

·       Urban logistics and infrastructure resilience

·       Agricultural input supply chains and cold-chain logistics

Manufacturing systems for health or renewable energy technologies

UM6P.

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