Postdoctoral Researcher – Mineral Thermal Processing and Pyrometallurgy

About the role

GSMI (Geology & Sustainable Mining Institute) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for an 18-month position in mineral thermal processing and pyrometallurgy. The project is part of strategic, industry-linked research funded by the OCP Group and focuses on high-temperature processes for transforming, upgrading or enriching mineral resources, especially from complex or secondary ores.

Key responsibilities

• Study the thermal and physicochemical properties of minerals.
• Design and run thermal treatment experiments such as calcination, roasting and smelting.
• Optimize pyrometallurgical flow sheets for producing value-added materials or metals.
• Contribute to fundamental understanding and industrial applications, including product characterization, process design and modeling, and techno-economic evaluation of pyrometallurgical routes.

Required profile

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Metallurgy, Process Engineering, Materials Chemistry or a related field, with a specialization in pyrometallurgy or mineral thermal processing.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research, analyze data critically and communicate results.
• Excellent scientific writing and oral communication in English; French is a plus.
• Preferred: experience in pyrochemical processing of oxide, sulfide or silicate ores, familiarity with thermodynamic simulation software, and prior industry-oriented research projects.

Required skills

• Material characterization techniques such as XRD, TGA/DSC and SEM.
• Laboratory-scale thermal treatment with muffle furnaces, tubular reactors or pilot-scale kilns.
• Preferred: thermodynamic simulation software such as FactSage or Thermo-Calc.

To apply, candidates must submit a detailed CV, cover letter, research and teaching plans, and contact details for three referees, all in one file or zipped folder with the subject line "mineral processing". Applications are reviewed by a scientific committee and shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview.