Postdoctoral Researcher – Botany & Plant Ecology

About the role

The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate the botany and ecology of native desert plant species in southern Morocco. The role combines fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and data management to understand plant‑soil interactions and contribute to sustainable agriculture solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement robust methodologies for plant ecology and botany research.
• Lead botanical expeditions to collect plant and soil samples across desert habitats.
• Identify plant species using traditional keys and AI‑based identification tools.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive plant and soil databases.
• Conduct ethnobotanical surveys and compile a botanical atlas.
• Supervise PhD, Master’s students and interns.
• Manage project resources, including budget, equipment, and field logistics.
• Write research proposals, progress reports, and peer‑reviewed manuscripts.

Required profile

• Ph.D. in plant ecology, botany, plant science or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in field‑based botanical research.
• Strong publication record in refereed journals.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; French or Arabic a plus.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and supervise graduate students.

Required skills

• Proficiency with botanical identification keys.
• Experience using AI tools for plant species identification.
• Database creation and management for ecological data.
• Statistical analysis of field and laboratory data.