Research Engineer in Sustainability Systems and Health-Environment Modeling

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 & The School of Applied Sciences & Engineering at UM6P are seeking a Research Engineer in Sustainability Systems and Health-Environment Modeling to guide interdisciplinary projects within the Wicked Problems (WiP) framework. This transdisciplinary role integrates expertise in environmental systems, energy transitions, biological dynamics, and public health to support student-led research addressing sustainability challenges in Morocco, Africa, and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

·       Mentor student teams on sustainability-related WiPs involving public health, climate resilience, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and food-energy-water systems.

·       Support the design of quantitative and computational models for complex coupled systems—spanning biological, ecological, epidemiological, and energy-related domains.

·       Introduce students to tools such as system dynamics, agent-based modeling, disease spread models, climate-energy scenario tools (e.g., WEAP, LEAP), and biological simulation platforms.

·       Integrate real-world datasets from environmental sensors, climate archives, public health records, and remote sensing.

·       Co-develop educational modules and case studies that cut across disciplinary boundaries and encourage systems thinking.

·       Contribute to research publications, policy briefs, and open-source tools co-authored with students.

·       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 one or more of the following: Environmental Science, Energy Systems, Public Health Modeling, Biology, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Science, or a closely related discipline.

·       Demonstrated experience with modeling dynamic systems such as disease transmission, resource use, climate transitions, or biological networks.

·       Proficiency in relevant tools and languages (e.g., Python, R, system dynamics software, epidemiological or ecological modeling platforms).

·       Strong interdisciplinary mindset and enthusiasm for mentoring students tackling real-world complexity.

Desirable Qualifications (at least two of the following):

·       Experience in modeling public health or epidemiological systems in relation to environment or infrastructure.

·       Familiarity with renewable energy modeling, smart grid planning, or hydrogen and storage technologies.

·       Background in computational biology, plant or microbial systems, or biodiversity modeling.

·       Exposure to policy-relevant sustainability science, circular economy, or environmental justice frameworks.

·       Knowledge of climate-resilient urban planning, food-water-energy nexus, or ecosystem services assessment.

Cross-Sector Themes May Include:

·       Climate-health interactions

·       Environmental determinants of disease

·       Decarbonization pathways

·       Sustainable agriculture and biosystem resilience

·       Energy access and equity

·       One Health approaches and ecological transitions

UM6P.

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