Transformative Science for Soil Acidity Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Position: Postdoctoral research associate (PDRA)
Starting date: 1 April
Duration: 24 months (fixed term)
Topic: Experimental Soft Matter
Requirement: PhD in Experimental Physics, Physical Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related fields
DeKUT, Nyeri, Kenya, and Embu University, Embu, Kenya.
We invite applications for two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships to join a bold, mission-driven program that tackles one of the most chronic and limiting constraints on agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa: soil acidity. This initiative integrates Soft-matter physics, Formulation Science and Advanced Imaging to develop breakthrough, field-ready solutions capable of transforming millions of hectares of degraded land.
About the Opportunity
The selected postdoctoral researchers will work at the frontier of physical chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or experimental soft-matter physics, applying their disciplinary expertise to design, test, and optimize next-generation technologies for soil acidity mitigation. This is not a conventional academic project—it is a continental mission with real-world deployment pathways, strong industry and policy interfaces, and a systems-level innovation framework.
You will join a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning sustainable materials, soil science, materials engineering, entrepreneurs, and mission-oriented innovation. The work will involve laboratory experimentation, materials characterization, prototype development, and translational research aimed at scalable, affordable, and climate-smart solutions. You will also work with experimentalist and theoretical modellers from our partner universities- University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and the Universities of Edinburgh and Durham (UK). As part of the project, you will have the chance to work for 6 months at the University of Durham (UK), together with the other partners from the team.
Key Responsibilities
- Source materials and soil samples
- Design and conduct experimental research on soil supplements capable of regulating soil acidity
- Ion release and transport: experimental quantification of dissolution kinetics, diffusion, and reaction processes in hydrated polymer matrices and soil analoguess
- Determine Structure-property relationships of supplements: linking microstructure (e.g. polymer network morphology, tortuosity, swelling behaviour) to macroscopic properties such as water retention, mechanical stability, and ion release rates;
- Soil-particle interactions: investigation of capillarity, wetting, granular packing, and mechanical interactions between composite particles and real soils;
- Integrate mechanistic understanding with practical constraints of African smallholder farming systems.
- Excellent communication skills and a producing? track record of scientific publications.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Experimental soft-matter-Physics (completed or near completion).
- Strong experimental background with demonstrated ability to design, execute, and interpret complex laboratory studies.
- Experience with materials synthesis, surface/interface science, reaction engineering, colloids, hydrogels, or related areas.
- Excellent communication skills and a track record of scientific publications.
Preferred (but not required) Experience
- Work with mineral-based systems, dolomites, carbonates, silicates, or soil amendments.
- Experience in controlled-release technologies, nanomaterials, or reactive particle engineering.
- Experience with polymer gels, biopolymers, composite materials, or agrowaste-derived materials.
- Familiarity with agricultural systems, soil chemistry, or environmental materials.
- Interest in mission-oriented innovation, sustainability, and scalable technology deployment.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to contribute to a continental-scale mission with measurable impact on food security, soil health, and climate resilience.
- A dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment with strong mentorship and international collaborations.
- Access to advanced laboratories, analytical facilities, and field-testing networks in home and partner universities.
- Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
How to Apply
Please submit the following as a single PDF:
- Cover letter describing your research experience, motivation, and fit for the position
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact information for three referees
- Up to two representative publications
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
Where to send
Email: admin@originlabsafrica.org
