Science, Technology and Innovation Grant 2012/2013 - The 5th Competitive Research Grant Call for Concept Notes

Science, Technology and Innovation Grant 2012/2013

The 5th Competitive Research Grant

Theme: Health, Water and Sanitation

Call for Concept Notes

Background

The Science and Technology Act Cap 250 and Kenya Vision 2030 recognize the importance of research, science and technology for national development. 

Since 2008/2009 financial year the Government of Kenya through the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) has been administering the Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) grant. 

The grant has been structured to support different specific targeted categories in order to have maximum impact where a total of 633 projects have been funded. 

These categories of products being supported include: - research projects; innovation projects; research projects by women scientists; postgraduate research projects; post-doctoral research projects, bilateral matching grants, research facilities and support of scientific conferences and symposia. 

Under the category of research a total of 168 projects in food security, climate change, renewable energy and engineering thematic areas have been funded. 

The NCST is pleased to announce for the fifth round of concept notes for support of research under the ST&I grant for 2012/2013 financial year. 

This year’s theme focuses on issues related to Health, Water and Sanitation in the country.

The productivity of the human capacity depends on good health and nutrition. 

This in turn enhances economic growth, contributes to poverty reduction and realization of the Kenya Vision 2030 social goal. 

The Health sector has been faced with a number of challenges: communicable and infectious diseases, nutrition deficiency disorders and parasitic infections. Majority of Kenyans continue to seek treatment in health care facilities for ailments that can be controlled through preventive and promotive measures. 

Health statistics indicate that malaria is a leading cause of outpatient morbidity accounting to about 30 percent of the total disease burden in Kenya. Respiratory tract infections, skin diseases and intestinal worms, contribute to over three quarters of total outpatient cases reported. 

In addition, HIV/AIDs continues to pose serious health and socio-economic challenges.

Sanitation and waste management are closely related to human health. Differences in access to adequate sanitation between urban and rural environments still persist. 

The formally planned urban areas are better served than the rural areas, and the urban informal settlements. Approximately 80% of the outpatient hospital attendance in Kenya is due to preventable diseases while 50% of these are water, sanitation and hygiene related.

Water is needed to support life and sustain economic activities across different sectors.

The county’s water endowment is low and currently stands at 647 cubic metres per capita per year hence Kenya is classified as a water scarce country. 

Therefore some of the challenges facing the water sector include: water scarcity, water security, water quality, water catchment management and monitoring of water resources.

To address the above challenges the country needs to increase investments in research and experimental development in the health and water sectors in order to generate innovative scientific solutions to enhance availability of diverse treatment and control measures and new technologies to manage the diseases and nutritional disorders. 

Special attention is also needed to support projects that will contribute to sustainable water management and good sanitation.

Towards this end NCST invites MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL and MULTIDISCIPLINARY research teams from public and private institutions in Kenya to submit CONCEPT NOTES for funding consideration. 

Specific priority areas that need to be addressed include but not limited to: communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, neglected diseases, emerging diseases and nutrition; water resource management, water harvesting and storage, water supply and sanitation and other related areas and their applications in solving health challenges, water supply and sanitation. 

The proposed research work must be conducted in Kenya and must have the potential of immediate application and impact to solving these societal challenges. 

The objectives must be in line with the flagship projects identified in Kenya Vision 2030, Millennium Development Goals and in conformity with the new Constitution. Each application must be submitted by a team of researchers from at least three (3) different institutions.

Objectives of the Call
 

(i) To strengthen the quality of healthcare without further escalating costs.
 

(ii) To address health needs and solutions to support social and economic development.
 

(iii) To increase sanitation coverage for and sustainable water supplies to urban and rural dwellers.
 

(iv) To increase the role of scientific research and technological innovation in contributing to good health and nutrition, water and sanitation for the Kenyan people
 

(v) To enhance technology transfer and adoption in health and water sectors.
 

(vi) To promote collaborative and multidisciplinary solution based research.
 

Concept note format
 

The CONCEPT NOTE should not exceed eight (8) pages (Times New Roman, font size 12, single spacing) and must have the following sections:
 

(i) Title of the project; 

(ii) Background information; 

(iii) Problem statement;

(iv) Justification; 

(v) Objective(s); 

(vii) Expected outputs 

(viii) Methodology; 

(ix) detailed Itemized budget; ;
 

Budget limit and project duration
 

After a peer review of the concept notes, successful applicants will be invited to submit full project proposals. A grant of up to a maximum of Kenya Shillings Fifteen Million (Ksh. 15,000,000) for a period not exceeding three (3) years will be awarded to the successful research teams.

Submission Deadline
 

All the concept notes should be submitted in both hard and soft copies to the address below or delivered to Utalii House, 8th Floor Room 822/801 not later than 17:00 hrs Friday 31st August, 2012. 

Soft copies to be submitted through email: (stifund@ncst.go.ke). 

Incomplete and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. 

The list of successful applicants will be posted on our websites by 30th September, 2012.

Note:
 

All the applicants who have been funded under ST&I grant with on-going projects are not eligible for this Call.
 

Any work that is being funded by other donors MUST not be submitted for this Call. Any such proposal will be disqualified.
 

Only original work should be submitted, plagiarism is highly discouraged and will lead to disqualification.
 

The application forms are available at NCST Website: www.ncst.go.ke and MoHEST website: www.scienceandtechnology.go.ke
 

Each application must be accompanied by letters of endorsement by Head of collaborating institutions, brief CV (maximum 2 pages) of each research team member and copies of their national identity cards.
 

Any application that does not adhere to multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary requirements will not be considered.
 

The Secretary/CEO
National Council for Science and Technology
P. O. Box 30623-00100, NAIROBI.
Tel: 020-310571/2241349/2213471
Fax: 020-2213215
Website: www.ncst.go.ke

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UPEACE - IDRC PhD Fellowships & Doctoral Research Awards

The Africa Programme of the University for Peace (UPAP) has secured funding from the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC) to build research capacity in Africa in Governance and Security Studies.

This research grant cycle is a second one received from IDRC after the first one that UPEACE received in 2007 and that focused on developing research capacity in Peace, Conflict and Development.

The present grant comes from two programs within IDRC, the Fellowships and Awards Program (F&A) and the Governance, Security and Justice Program (GSJ).

In this round, a total of 15 PhD Grants will be offered in two categories: PhD Fellowships and Doctoral Research Awards. Both grants are specifically for African students pursuing their PhDs in universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The first category, PhD fellowships is intended for freshly enrolled candidates, who are at the very beginning of their studies. The grant will cover expenses including tuition, living expenses and a semester abroad at a Canadian university. A total of 4 grants will be offered.

The second category, Doctoral Research Awards is intended to support PhD candidates, who have completed the required course work and/or other preliminary doctoral requirements as instructed by their universities.

Eligible candidates are those who are ready to start the phase of conducing their field work, analyzing their data and writing their thesis. It will cover expenses like field research, data analysis, associated travel, and production costs. 11 awards will be offered in this category.

Support from the two programs will enable UPEACE Africa programme to train a total of 30 PhD candidates registered with universities in Sub Saharan Africa.

Deadline for application is 28 February 2012

Female applications are especially encouraged to apply.

For further information, please visit www.upeace.org or www.africa.upeace.org

Read more »

UPEACE - IDRC PhD Fellowships & Doctoral Research Awards

The Africa Programme of the University for Peace (UPAP) has secured funding from the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC) to build research capacity in Africa in Governance and Security Studies.

This research grant cycle is a second one received from IDRC after the first one that UPEACE received in 2007 and that focused on developing research capacity in Peace, Conflict and Development.

The present grant comes from two programs within IDRC, the Fellowships and Awards Program (F&A) and the Governance, Security and Justice Program (GSJ).

In this round, a total of 15 PhD Grants will be offered in two categories: PhD Fellowships and Doctoral Research Awards. Both grants are specifically for African students pursuing their PhDs in universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The first category, PhD fellowships is intended for freshly enrolled candidates, who are at the very beginning of their studies. The grant will cover expenses including tuition, living expenses and a semester abroad at a Canadian university. A total of 4 grants will be offered.

The second category, Doctoral Research Awards is intended to support PhD candidates, who have completed the required course work and/or other preliminary doctoral requirements as instructed by their universities.

Eligible candidates are those who are ready to start the phase of conducing their field work, analyzing their data and writing their thesis. It will cover expenses like field research, data analysis, associated travel, and production costs. 11 awards will be offered in this category.

Support from the two programs will enable UPEACE Africa programme to train a total of 30 PhD candidates registered with universities in Sub Saharan Africa.

Deadline for application is 28 February 2012

Female applications are especially encouraged to apply.

For further information, please visit www.upeace.org or www.africa.upeace.org

Read more »

IPA Lab Coordinator Job in Nairobi Kenya

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Benefits Project

Position: Lab Coordinator

Deadline to Apply: January 25, 2012 (applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis)

Start Date: February 2012

Location: Nairobi; with flexibility to travel

Eligibility: Position open to all nationalities; Kenyan nationals strongly encouraged apply

IPA’s WASH Benefits Project is a five year study to evaluate the health benefits of sanitation, hygiene, household water treatment and nutrition using a large-scale, randomized evaluation in Western Province.

In the first phase of the study, to commence in early 2012, WASH Benefits will work in 1,000 villages, conduct 10,000 baseline surveys, and deliver interventions to 10,000 households. The project will be based out of two satellite offices in Western Province. The principal investigators of WASH benefits are Michael Kremer and Clair Null.

IPA’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) benefits project seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Lab Coordinator.

The Lab Coordinator will manage sample collection, processing, and analysis of child stool, blood, and urine samples in Western Kenya in order to meet the project objectives to measure environmental enteropathy and parasite infections among young children.

The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with travel to Kakamega and other areas of Western Kenya.

The Lab Coordinator will work closely with the WASH benefits management team, academic researchers, and project collaborators at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Moi University.

The Lab Coordinator position will be based at KEMRI’s headquarters in Nairobi.

Responsibilities
Develop and oversee implementation of field protocols to collect and process stool and blood samples
Develop and oversee implementation of lab processing protocols, including:
ELISA assays on venous blood serum to test for indicators of environmental enteropathy (gut inflammation and gut permeability).
ELISA assays to test stool samples for markers of gut inflammation.
ELISA assays to test stool samples for Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and E. histolytica
Kato-Katz microscopy to test stool samples for hookworm, Trichuris, and Ascaris
Managing lab technicians, including development and implementation of quality control and quality assurance procedures and checking and analyzing data
Cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis
Assisting in the writing of project reports and policy memos
Coordinating with local partners, including KEMRI and Moi University
Desired Qualifications and Experience
At least 3 years of biological laboratory experience
Experience performing ELISA assays required
Experience performing Kato-Katz microscopy preferred
A Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental health, or related fields.
Experience living in a developing country is a strong plus
Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills
Fluency and excellent communication skills in English; fluency in Swahili is a strong plus
Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player
Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations
We are looking for a commitment period of 2 years for this position.
If you are interested in applying, please follow the instructions below:

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, detailed CV (including daytime phone number and an email address), your scanned copy of certificates, and 3 professional references. All files should be submitted in pdf form with the file names LASTcover_letter.pdf, LASTNAME_CV.pdf, LASTNAME_certificate# (non-pdf format acceptable, replace # with 1, 2, 3, etc.), LASTNAME_references.pdf.

Applications can be submitted in person at our Busia office, by email to, jobs-kenya@povertyaction.org ,

or by mail to PO Box 373, Busia, 50400 Kenya.

If you submit by email, please ensure that the subject line reads: “WASH Benefits Lab Coordinator” REF NO: WB-2012-01-01.”

All applicants will be considered for the Lab Coordinator position and only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Lab Coordinator. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities.

Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant.

Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization.

Please direct questions to jobs@poverty-action.org.

Read more »

IPA Lab Coordinator Job in Nairobi Kenya

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Benefits Project

Position: Lab Coordinator

Deadline to Apply: January 25, 2012 (applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis)

Start Date: February 2012

Location: Nairobi; with flexibility to travel

Eligibility: Position open to all nationalities; Kenyan nationals strongly encouraged apply

IPA’s WASH Benefits Project is a five year study to evaluate the health benefits of sanitation, hygiene, household water treatment and nutrition using a large-scale, randomized evaluation in Western Province.

In the first phase of the study, to commence in early 2012, WASH Benefits will work in 1,000 villages, conduct 10,000 baseline surveys, and deliver interventions to 10,000 households. The project will be based out of two satellite offices in Western Province. The principal investigators of WASH benefits are Michael Kremer and Clair Null.

IPA’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) benefits project seeks a qualified applicant for the position of Lab Coordinator.

The Lab Coordinator will manage sample collection, processing, and analysis of child stool, blood, and urine samples in Western Kenya in order to meet the project objectives to measure environmental enteropathy and parasite infections among young children.

The position offers an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research. This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with travel to Kakamega and other areas of Western Kenya.

The Lab Coordinator will work closely with the WASH benefits management team, academic researchers, and project collaborators at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Moi University.

The Lab Coordinator position will be based at KEMRI’s headquarters in Nairobi.

Responsibilities
Develop and oversee implementation of field protocols to collect and process stool and blood samples
Develop and oversee implementation of lab processing protocols, including:
ELISA assays on venous blood serum to test for indicators of environmental enteropathy (gut inflammation and gut permeability).
ELISA assays to test stool samples for markers of gut inflammation.
ELISA assays to test stool samples for Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and E. histolytica
Kato-Katz microscopy to test stool samples for hookworm, Trichuris, and Ascaris
Managing lab technicians, including development and implementation of quality control and quality assurance procedures and checking and analyzing data
Cleaning data and assisting in preliminary analysis
Assisting in the writing of project reports and policy memos
Coordinating with local partners, including KEMRI and Moi University
Desired Qualifications and Experience
At least 3 years of biological laboratory experience
Experience performing ELISA assays required
Experience performing Kato-Katz microscopy preferred
A Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental health, or related fields.
Experience living in a developing country is a strong plus
Excellent management and organizational skills along with strong quantitative skills
Fluency and excellent communication skills in English; fluency in Swahili is a strong plus
Flexible, self-motivating, able to manage multiple tasks efficiently, and team player
Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations
We are looking for a commitment period of 2 years for this position.
If you are interested in applying, please follow the instructions below:

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, detailed CV (including daytime phone number and an email address), your scanned copy of certificates, and 3 professional references. All files should be submitted in pdf form with the file names LASTcover_letter.pdf, LASTNAME_CV.pdf, LASTNAME_certificate# (non-pdf format acceptable, replace # with 1, 2, 3, etc.), LASTNAME_references.pdf.

Applications can be submitted in person at our Busia office, by email to, jobs-kenya@povertyaction.org ,

or by mail to PO Box 373, Busia, 50400 Kenya.

If you submit by email, please ensure that the subject line reads: “WASH Benefits Lab Coordinator” REF NO: WB-2012-01-01.”

All applicants will be considered for the Lab Coordinator position and only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Lab Coordinator. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities.

Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant.

Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization.

Please direct questions to jobs@poverty-action.org.

Read more »

icipe Postdoctoral Research Career Opportunity - IPM Programmes

icipe is an intergovernmental organisation funded by government aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improved health and agricultural productivity in the tropics.

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes, located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.

icipe seeks to urgently hire a highly motivated candidate to join an established interdisciplinary team dedicated to the development of sustainable IPM programmes for mango and cashew pests in sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will plan and direct semiochemical ecology work to support the implementation of environmentally acceptable interventions to manage Bactrocera invadens (an invasive fruit flies of mango) and mirid of cashew.
Lead a balanced basic and applied research program targeted towards developing new female-biased attractants from blends of host fruit volatiles for monitoring, mass trapping and suppression.
Explore the exact identity of key ligands from host fruit volatiles using linked gas chromatography-single sensillum recordings (SSR),
Develop and formulate blends of compounds, carry out field testing of the compounds in comparisons with standard food attractants, as well as quantifying their impact on the target pests and their compatibility with other IPM packages.
Expected to be among a team conducting complementary field suppression studies that incorporate entomopathogens, classical biological control, bait-based technology, and use of soft pesticide in an integrated system to manage other pests such as indigenous fruit fly, mango seed weevil and coreid pests.

The position requires cooperation with on-station research personnel in complementary disciplines and with NARS and mango and cashew growers in target countries. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based at icipe’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, but will be expected to spend a portion of his/her time at Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany to participate in complementary research on fruit flies.

Requirements

The suitable candidate should have :

PhD in Entomology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry or any related Biological Science field with no more than 3 years experience
Excellent background in chemical ecology techniques (for example bioassay guided micro-identification of compounds, field assays, arthropod electrophysiology, gas chromatography and mass spectra analyses)
Good oral and written scientific communication skills
Oriented towards good scientific output
Proficiency in English language (with French as an added advantage)
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with excellent interpersonal, management and organizational skills
Experience in working with fruit flies and mirid is desirable

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the selected candidate and the appointment will initially be for two years.

Applications will be accepted up to 20 January 2012.

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Please send an application with a detailed CV, names and addresses of 3 referees including e-mail addresses, fax numbers and remuneration package to:

icipehr@icipe.org

The Human Resources Department
icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O. Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
Kenya

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Read more »

icipe Postdoctoral Research Career Opportunity - IPM Programmes

icipe is an intergovernmental organisation funded by government aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improved health and agricultural productivity in the tropics.

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes, located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.

icipe seeks to urgently hire a highly motivated candidate to join an established interdisciplinary team dedicated to the development of sustainable IPM programmes for mango and cashew pests in sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will plan and direct semiochemical ecology work to support the implementation of environmentally acceptable interventions to manage Bactrocera invadens (an invasive fruit flies of mango) and mirid of cashew.
Lead a balanced basic and applied research program targeted towards developing new female-biased attractants from blends of host fruit volatiles for monitoring, mass trapping and suppression.
Explore the exact identity of key ligands from host fruit volatiles using linked gas chromatography-single sensillum recordings (SSR),
Develop and formulate blends of compounds, carry out field testing of the compounds in comparisons with standard food attractants, as well as quantifying their impact on the target pests and their compatibility with other IPM packages.
Expected to be among a team conducting complementary field suppression studies that incorporate entomopathogens, classical biological control, bait-based technology, and use of soft pesticide in an integrated system to manage other pests such as indigenous fruit fly, mango seed weevil and coreid pests.

The position requires cooperation with on-station research personnel in complementary disciplines and with NARS and mango and cashew growers in target countries. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based at icipe’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, but will be expected to spend a portion of his/her time at Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany to participate in complementary research on fruit flies.

Requirements

The suitable candidate should have :

PhD in Entomology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry or any related Biological Science field with no more than 3 years experience
Excellent background in chemical ecology techniques (for example bioassay guided micro-identification of compounds, field assays, arthropod electrophysiology, gas chromatography and mass spectra analyses)
Good oral and written scientific communication skills
Oriented towards good scientific output
Proficiency in English language (with French as an added advantage)
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with excellent interpersonal, management and organizational skills
Experience in working with fruit flies and mirid is desirable

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the selected candidate and the appointment will initially be for two years.

Applications will be accepted up to 20 January 2012.

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Please send an application with a detailed CV, names and addresses of 3 referees including e-mail addresses, fax numbers and remuneration package to:

icipehr@icipe.org

The Human Resources Department
icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O. Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
Kenya

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Read more »

icipe Postdoctoral Research Career Opportunity - IPM Programmes

icipe is an intergovernmental organisation funded by government aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improved health and agricultural productivity in the tropics.

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes, located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.

icipe seeks to urgently hire a highly motivated candidate to join an established interdisciplinary team dedicated to the development of sustainable IPM programmes for mango and cashew pests in sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will plan and direct semiochemical ecology work to support the implementation of environmentally acceptable interventions to manage Bactrocera invadens (an invasive fruit flies of mango) and mirid of cashew.
Lead a balanced basic and applied research program targeted towards developing new female-biased attractants from blends of host fruit volatiles for monitoring, mass trapping and suppression.
Explore the exact identity of key ligands from host fruit volatiles using linked gas chromatography-single sensillum recordings (SSR),
Develop and formulate blends of compounds, carry out field testing of the compounds in comparisons with standard food attractants, as well as quantifying their impact on the target pests and their compatibility with other IPM packages.
Expected to be among a team conducting complementary field suppression studies that incorporate entomopathogens, classical biological control, bait-based technology, and use of soft pesticide in an integrated system to manage other pests such as indigenous fruit fly, mango seed weevil and coreid pests.

The position requires cooperation with on-station research personnel in complementary disciplines and with NARS and mango and cashew growers in target countries. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based at icipe’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, but will be expected to spend a portion of his/her time at Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany to participate in complementary research on fruit flies.

Requirements

The suitable candidate should have :

PhD in Entomology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry or any related Biological Science field with no more than 3 years experience
Excellent background in chemical ecology techniques (for example bioassay guided micro-identification of compounds, field assays, arthropod electrophysiology, gas chromatography and mass spectra analyses)
Good oral and written scientific communication skills
Oriented towards good scientific output
Proficiency in English language (with French as an added advantage)
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with excellent interpersonal, management and organizational skills
Experience in working with fruit flies and mirid is desirable

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the selected candidate and the appointment will initially be for two years.

Applications will be accepted up to 20 January 2012.

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Please send an application with a detailed CV, names and addresses of 3 referees including e-mail addresses, fax numbers and remuneration package to:

icipehr@icipe.org

The Human Resources Department
icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O. Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
Kenya

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Read more »

icipe Postdoctoral Research Career Opportunity - IPM Programmes

icipe is an intergovernmental organisation funded by government aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improved health and agricultural productivity in the tropics.

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes, located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.

icipe seeks to urgently hire a highly motivated candidate to join an established interdisciplinary team dedicated to the development of sustainable IPM programmes for mango and cashew pests in sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will plan and direct semiochemical ecology work to support the implementation of environmentally acceptable interventions to manage Bactrocera invadens (an invasive fruit flies of mango) and mirid of cashew.
Lead a balanced basic and applied research program targeted towards developing new female-biased attractants from blends of host fruit volatiles for monitoring, mass trapping and suppression.
Explore the exact identity of key ligands from host fruit volatiles using linked gas chromatography-single sensillum recordings (SSR),
Develop and formulate blends of compounds, carry out field testing of the compounds in comparisons with standard food attractants, as well as quantifying their impact on the target pests and their compatibility with other IPM packages.
Expected to be among a team conducting complementary field suppression studies that incorporate entomopathogens, classical biological control, bait-based technology, and use of soft pesticide in an integrated system to manage other pests such as indigenous fruit fly, mango seed weevil and coreid pests.

The position requires cooperation with on-station research personnel in complementary disciplines and with NARS and mango and cashew growers in target countries. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based at icipe’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, but will be expected to spend a portion of his/her time at Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany to participate in complementary research on fruit flies.

Requirements

The suitable candidate should have :

PhD in Entomology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry or any related Biological Science field with no more than 3 years experience
Excellent background in chemical ecology techniques (for example bioassay guided micro-identification of compounds, field assays, arthropod electrophysiology, gas chromatography and mass spectra analyses)
Good oral and written scientific communication skills
Oriented towards good scientific output
Proficiency in English language (with French as an added advantage)
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with excellent interpersonal, management and organizational skills
Experience in working with fruit flies and mirid is desirable

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the selected candidate and the appointment will initially be for two years.

Applications will be accepted up to 20 January 2012.

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Please send an application with a detailed CV, names and addresses of 3 referees including e-mail addresses, fax numbers and remuneration package to:

icipehr@icipe.org

The Human Resources Department
icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O. Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
Kenya

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Read more »

icipe Postdoctoral Research Career Opportunity - IPM Programmes

icipe is an intergovernmental organisation funded by government aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improved health and agricultural productivity in the tropics.

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes, located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.

icipe seeks to urgently hire a highly motivated candidate to join an established interdisciplinary team dedicated to the development of sustainable IPM programmes for mango and cashew pests in sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will plan and direct semiochemical ecology work to support the implementation of environmentally acceptable interventions to manage Bactrocera invadens (an invasive fruit flies of mango) and mirid of cashew.
Lead a balanced basic and applied research program targeted towards developing new female-biased attractants from blends of host fruit volatiles for monitoring, mass trapping and suppression.
Explore the exact identity of key ligands from host fruit volatiles using linked gas chromatography-single sensillum recordings (SSR),
Develop and formulate blends of compounds, carry out field testing of the compounds in comparisons with standard food attractants, as well as quantifying their impact on the target pests and their compatibility with other IPM packages.
Expected to be among a team conducting complementary field suppression studies that incorporate entomopathogens, classical biological control, bait-based technology, and use of soft pesticide in an integrated system to manage other pests such as indigenous fruit fly, mango seed weevil and coreid pests.

The position requires cooperation with on-station research personnel in complementary disciplines and with NARS and mango and cashew growers in target countries. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based at icipe’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, but will be expected to spend a portion of his/her time at Max Planck Institute of Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany to participate in complementary research on fruit flies.

Requirements

The suitable candidate should have :

PhD in Entomology, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry or any related Biological Science field with no more than 3 years experience
Excellent background in chemical ecology techniques (for example bioassay guided micro-identification of compounds, field assays, arthropod electrophysiology, gas chromatography and mass spectra analyses)
Good oral and written scientific communication skills
Oriented towards good scientific output
Proficiency in English language (with French as an added advantage)
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with excellent interpersonal, management and organizational skills
Experience in working with fruit flies and mirid is desirable

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the selected candidate and the appointment will initially be for two years.

Applications will be accepted up to 20 January 2012.

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Please send an application with a detailed CV, names and addresses of 3 referees including e-mail addresses, fax numbers and remuneration package to:

icipehr@icipe.org

The Human Resources Department
icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O. Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
Kenya

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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