CRSA – Postdoctoral Position in Impact of Subsurface Soil Salinity on Agricultural Productivity and Organic Matter Dynamics Using High Resolution Proximal Sensing and Hyperspectral Analysis

Location: Centre for Remote Sensing Applications (CRSA), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco

About the Position
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The CRSA is a leading research hub dedicated to advancing geospatial science and Earth observation technologies for sustainable agriculture, environmental management, and climate resilience. The CRSA is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) position to investigate the impact of subsurface soil salinity and rock gypsum on agricultural land productivity and organic matter dynamics in the semi-arid region of Sehb El Masjoune, southern Morocco.
Soil salinization is a significant challenge affecting agricultural productivity in Sehb El Masjoune, where recent studies have identified a hard subsoil/near-surface rock gypsum layer at varying depths. However, the impact of this layer on subsurface and topsoil salinity, sodicity, organic carbon dynamics, and the stability of mineral-associated organic matter remains poorly understood.

Research Objectives
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The successful candidate will:
– Characterize the spatial and temporal variability of soil salinity by integrating very-highresolution remote and proximal sensing approaches (e.g., near-surface sensing, UAV-based hyperspectral imaging) with in situ measurements.
– Assess the influence of the rock gypsum layer on soil salinity at different depths across Sehb El Masjoune.
– Conduct field soil surveys to collect data for lithological characterization, mapping the spatial distribution and topography of the near-surface rock gypsum layer.
– Evaluate the contribution of salt-affected soils to organic carbon stocks in semi-arid environments.
The postdoctoral researcher will join a multidisciplinary research team, collaborating with experts in soil science, remote sensing, and Earth observation technologies.

Qualifications and Requirements
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The ideal candidate should have:
– A PhD in soil remote sensing, plant-soil interactions, near-surface geology, or a related discipline.
– Experience in field-based soil and environmental research, preferably in agriculture or mining environments.
– Strong expertise in hyperspectral remote sensing and geographic information science (GIS) for mapping and monitoring agricultural soils and vegetation at field and regional scales.
– Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, R) and experience with machine learning for geospatial data analysis.
– A strong track record of publishing research articles in high-impact international journals and presenting at scientific conferences.
– Experience working in a collaborative research environment and the ability to contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
– Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French is an advantage.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.