AGC - Post-Doctoral Fellow in Bioinformatics and Animal Cell Biology

About UM6P

Located in Benguerir, in the heart of Morocco’s Green City, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) is an internationally oriented higher education institution committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research. UM6P focuses on fields critical to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa.

About the African Genome Center

The African Genome Center at UM6P is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing genomics and bioinformatics research in Africa. Its mission is to address key challenges in health, agriculture, and biodiversity by leveraging cutting-edge genomic technologies and fostering collaboration between international and African scientists. The center plays a pivotal role in positioning Morocco and the continent as leaders in genomics and precision medicine.

About the Role: Post-Doctoral Fellow in Bioinformatics and Animal Cell Biology

Animal biology and production are central to Morocco's economy and food security, with key livestock species including sheep, cattle, goats, and poultry, alongside working animals like donkeys and camels in rural areas. These sectors face challenges such as feed shortages, disease outbreaks, and climate change, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices, advanced breeding, and modern management techniques.

This post-doctoral position is based in Benguerir, where the candidate will collaborate closely with the African Genome Center to integrate bioinformatics, molecular biology, and cellular techniques. The focus will be on addressing critical challenges in animal production using advanced tools such as Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), RNA analysis, GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Study), and CRISPR technology. The fellow will contribute to groundbreaking research that enhances understanding of complex biological systems while fostering international collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will:

• Lead the design, execution, and optimization of animal cell culture experiments.
• Conduct advanced bioinformatics analyses, including Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), RNA data analysis, and GWAS to identify key genetic traits in animal populations.
• Collaborate with the African Genome Center to leverage cutting-edge genomic technologies.
• Develop and optimize gRNA for CRISPR-based genetic studies using bioinformatics tools.
• Foster partnerships with international research collaborators to advance scientific objectives.
• Organize and participate in scientific meetings, workshops, and collaborative projects.
• Analyze data, write high-quality research papers, and contribute to impactful publications.
• Mentor graduate students and interns working on related projects.

Desired Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• A Ph.D. in bioinformatics, molecular biology, animal cell biology, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in bioinformatics analyses, particularly WES, RNA sequencing, and GWAS.
• Expertise in designing gRNA and applying CRISPR technology.
• Strong skills in animal cell culture techniques and molecular biology protocols.
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication skills in English, with proficiency in academic writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools, software, and programming languages (e.g., Python, R).
• Expertise in molecular biology techniques such as PCR, qPCR, and gene editing.
• Familiarity with statistical tools and software for GWAS analysis.

Contract Details

• Location: Benguerir, Morocco
• Type: Fixed-term contract
• Duration: One year, renewable based on performance