PhD positions sandwich model: University of Hohenheim and African counterparts

Up to 3 PhD positions (sandwich model with African counterparts)

University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart, Germany) with its long-standing inter-disciplinary and internationally-orientated research tradition in natural sciences, agricultural science, economic and social science offers up to three researcher positions (Dr. sc. agr.) within the BMZ-funded research project “LegumeCHOICE - Realizing the underexploited potential of multi-purpose legumes towards improved livelihoods and a better environment in crop-livestock systems in East & Central Africa”. The project is coordinated by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (Kenya) with close cooperation with national counterparts in Kenya (ICRAF, KARI), Ethiopia (ILRI, EIAR), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (UCB). Hence, the
selected candidates will have the opportunity to work in an exciting and international environment.
 

On equal qualification, candidates with nationalities of the respective target countries (i.e., Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya) will be preferred. The positions are subject to additional successful co-funding by project partners and external funding agencies (e.g., DAAD). 

Background and project goal: Current farm-level production and productivity of legumes is limited for many areas of the humid tropics (e.g., Kenya, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo) and below what is technically feasible. Reasons underlying the limited success include (i) focus on a specific class of legumes without considering the overall farming systems, (ii) ‘pushing’ a specific legume technology rather than responding to specific farmers’ constraints and objectives, (iii) promoting legume technologies in absence of an enabling environment for their uptake, and (iv) lack of detailed understanding of the priorities and constraints faced by farm systems. LegumeCHOICE will address these issues by providing the missing links between existing research efforts, farmer demands, and an enabling environment for legume cultivation. The overall goal of the project is to improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and enhance the production environment of smallholder farmers and rural populations through facilitation of the smart integration and use of multi-purpose legumes, providing food, protein, feed, fuel, and/or organic matter in crop-livestock systems. LegumeCHOICE will provide knowledge to farmers and development partners facilitating farmers to make rational decisions for enhancing short and long-term contributions of multi-purpose legumes to farmer livelihoods including aspects of legume production, input supply systems, and markets.

PhD studies will focus on the following research areas:

• Nitrogen (N) cycling in legume-based cropping systems: this topic will focus on biological N fixation and its contribution to crop quality and soil fertility. Field and lab-based analyses will include the assessment of geochemical N fluxes in tested cropping systems with the overall goal to identify those particular legumes providing the best short- to long-term productivity potential under local soil and climatic conditions.
• Carbon (C) cycling in legume-based cropping systems: this topic will focus on the contribution of identified legumes to C sequestration and energy provision for microbial processes (with close links to N cycling). On basis of field and lab-based analyses, the focus will be carbon use efficiency of decomposing soil microbes as regulated by biochemical quality and hence decomposability of organic inputs deriving from tested legumes.
• Biophysical modelling of legume-based cropping systems identified according to farmers’ requirements will allow comparative analyses of their benefits and trade-offs under various management options. Scenarios will include crop rotations and intercropping, inputs, timing of management (cropping, manure application) and different legume types. Biomass formation, soil C sequestration and N cycling will be evaluated for each scenario. Model parameters will be measured in field experiments representing the main system options. In a following step, LegumeCHOICE uses the outputs of the biophysical model to give recommendations for legume-crop combinations considering long-term sustainability of the systems.

According to your qualification, please select only one core topic for your detailed application, but indicate, if applicable, your interest in another topic.
 

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of and affinity to crop and/or soil sciences as well as soil biology.
• Strong knowledge of studying terrestrial N and C cycling as well as biochemical quality of plants.
• Experience in performance of greenhouse and field experiments is an asset.
• For the modelling study, good mathematical skills and experience in biophysical modelling are required,
• Good working knowledge of English is a must.
• Intercultural competence and willingness to stay at University of Hohenheim for academic (PhD study program) and research work.

Location
Candidates will be based at the Institute of Plant Production and Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics under the supervision of Professor Dr Georg Cadisch, Dr Frank Rasche and Dr Carsten Marohn. Logistics of field trips to target countries will be supported by local research partners.
 

Starting date and duration
Earliest start of studies is 01 October 2014, duration is 36 months.
 

Contact for more information
Dr Frank Rasche, phone: +49-711 459 24137, email: frank.rasche@uni-hohenheim.de
 

Applications
Your application should be sent electronically to Gabriele_Kircher@uni-hohenheim.de with only ONE pdf document as attachment including your motivation letter and research ideas to the research topic selected, CV, BSc/MSc-study transcripts and three recommendation letters.
 

Application deadline is 26 July 2014.

PhD student needed in Forest Ecology and Management at SLU

Healthy Waters: The role of protective measures to minimize negative forestry impact on water quality

The main objective of this PhD-student project is to investigate the role of different forestry related measures for improving water quality. A range of new collaborative strategies and concrete measures have recently been initiated, spurred by the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, to minimize forestry influence on water quality. But how effective have these strategies and measures been? The connection to the state-of-the-art scientific understanding of the effectiveness will be evaluated and tested. The overall purpose of this PhD project is therefore to explore through what mechanisms water protection in areas used by forestry can become most effective. The work will be to evaluate the role of different actions for minimizing the impact on water quality by using scientific literature, field data collection, computer based models and water quality data from the Krycklan catchment study (www.slu.se/Krycklan). This position is part of a multi-disciplinary project ”Healthy Waters: The role of collaborative governance to minimize negative forestry impact on water quality” which includes both natural and political science researchers. The PhD-student position is full-time and covers 48 months and the holder of the position is expected to achieve a PhD-degree. The PhD student is expected to start the project during the spring of 2014. The affiliation of the PhD student will be the Department of Forest Ecology and Management in Umeå, Sweden. The department has an international character both when it comes to research and teaching. 

Qualifications
We are seeking a highly motivated individual. The candidate should have good communication skills, a strong work ethic, be a team player and work well in a strong research environment. We are searching a person with a MSc. in Forestry, Physical Geography, or related field. Familiarity with digital terrain analysis, water quality modeling and/or forestry impacts on water quality is a merit. Experience with field data collection methods is preferred, and a driving license is required for conducting the field studies.

Forms for funding or employment
Employment as PhD student 4 years 

SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A person has basic eligibility for third level education if he or she has taken a second level qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second level.
Those who met the requirements for general eligibility before July 1st, 2007, i.e. had completed a programme of higher education for at least 180 Higher education credits or the equivalent, will continue to do so until the end of 2015."

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Read more about the PhD education in the Handbook for postgraduate students

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/

Use this APPLICATION FORM

Further information: Professor Hjalmar Laudon hjalmar.laudon@slu.se +4690-7868584

Academic union representatives
SACO Per Hansson +46 (0)90 786 84 74
SEKO Inga-Lis Johansson +46 (0)90 786 82 10
ST Hans Åkesson +46 (0)90 786 83 42

Applications, marked with ref no ua 407/2014, must have arrived at the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, S- 750 07 Uppsala or registrator@slu.se no later than 2014-03-25.

Source: http://www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/new-phd-student/Read-more/?sprak=e&Uid=909

The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP)

The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP) offers fellowships to enhance the quality of thesis research of graduate students from developing countries who show strong promise as leaders in the field of agriculture and related disciplines as defined by Title XII. Borlaug LEAP was developed in conjunction with the Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) but operates as a separate program.  The Borlaug LEAP is part of the US Government's Feed the Future 21st Century Leadership Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

The Borlaug LEAP Fellowship supports engaging a mentor at a United States (US) University and at a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system center to support and enhance the thesis research and mentoring experience. Awards are made on a competitive basis to students who show strong scientific and leadership potential, have a well coordinated proposal between their home university, a US university mentor, and the CGIAR mentor, and whose research is related to a strong research and support project within the host country. Emphasis is placed on work that has relevance to the national development of the student's home country. 

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFAs)

Applications are requested for sub-Saharan African students conducting research on topics related to the US Government's global hunger and food security initiative -- FEED THE FUTURE.  The focus region is sub-Saharan Africa.  All topics related to agriculture (as defined by Title XII) and the research strategies of the Feed the Future Initiative are admissible. The administrative due date for applications is: JUNE 14, 2013.  Applications must be RECEIVED BY JUNE 14, 2013 to be considered for fellowships beginning September 15, 2013 through September 14, 2014.

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APPLICATION FORM   |   BUDGET FORM

For more information on how to apply, see this flier and website.

PhD position: the impact of mineral governance on miners' property rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Tenable at the University of Zurich

Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)

Supervisor: Timothy Raeymaekers (Department of Geography)

Task:

The candidate will work on a three-year project on transnational mineral governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project zooms in on the transformation of miners rights through current reform programmes targeted at so-called conflict minerals in Eastern DRC. The PhD candidate will assess the ways current reform processes impact on the performance of mineral markets as well as the institutional choice patterns of mine workers. In sum the study aims to provide more insights into the political ecology of natural resource markets in countries emerging from protracted armed conflict, specifically detailing (1) the transnational dimension of economic regulation and (2) its impact on the institutional choice patterns of direct natural users of natural resources in the specific case of the DRC.

Requirements:

Applications should have completed a MA/MSc degree in geography or any relevant social science domain. They should carry evidence of their capability (and, if possible, prior experience) to do qualitative research in the domains of conflict analysis and resource governance in Sub-Saharan Africa. They should be willing to spend prolonged periods in the field.

Proficiency in French is required, active knowledge of Kiswahili and German will be regarded as an additional asset.

This project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), so candidates are paid by SNF regulations. The post is of limited duration (3 years). A one-year extension is possible if funding continues.

Interested candidates should send a cv, copies of relevant diplomas and a letter of motivation stating their qualifications for the job in one single pdf file to this email address by 15 May 2013:

timothy.raeymaekers@geo.uzh.ch

TEAGASC PhD Walsh Fellowship Opportunity

TEAGASC PHD WALSH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Carbon Sequestration in Permanent Pasture and Arable soils – Baselines and Management Options

Ref: 2013203

Background

A large number of studies around the world show that grasslands may act as a sink of carbon (C) and that the rate of C sequestration is strongly dependent upon the management of these ecosystems. Considering that grassland comprises 4 million hectares or 90% of agricultural area, the size of Irish grassland sinks may be considerable. However, at present there are several obstacles associated with the measurement and verification of these agricultural sinks. These include quantification of grassland and arable C sinks across a range of soil types, and the assessment of strategies that enhance C sinks. This project seeks to quantify C baselines and investigate the impact of land management on arable and grassland systems. The project will determine soil C stocks in grassland and arable soils and assess the impact of soil type and management on soil C stocks. Soil C fractionation will be used to assess the allocation of SOC between labile and recalcitrant pools. The results of the project will be published in peer reviewed scientific journals.

Essential

Applicants should have a good primary degree (First or Second Class Honours) or M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (Soil Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, etc.). The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for extended periods of laboratory analysis. A full EU driving licence is also required.

Desirable

Additional desirable characteristics would include a familiarity with soil sampling and analysis and statistical analysis. Experience of environmental modelling would also be a distinct advantage. Information literacy and oral, written and graphical communication skills are important to this role.

Award

The Walsh Fellowship is a joint PhD research project between Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and the University of Limerick. The student will be based at the Teagasc Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford and will be registered at the University of Limerick, working under the supervision of Dr. Ken Byrne in association with Teagasc supervisors (Dr Rachel Creamer and Dr. Gary Lanigan). The Fellowship will  start as soon as possible after the candidate is appointed. 

The fellowship provides a stipend of €21,000. University fees are paid by the student from the stipend which is tenable for three years.

Application Procedure

Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae in pdf format and a letter of interest to:

Dr Ken Byrne (ken.byrne@ul.ie).  

Closing date 

22^nd, February 2013.

Cambridge Scholarships for International Students 2013-2014

The GatesCambridge Scholarships is are prestigious international full-cost scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time graduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

Eligibility

• Citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom
• May apply to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study:
• PhD (three year research-only degree)
• One year postgraduate course (e.g. MPhil, LLM, MASt, Diploma, MBA etc.)
• MSc or MLitt (two year research-only degree)
• May apply to study any subject available at the University of Cambridge
• Must be admitted to one of the degrees above at Cambridge through the University’s normal admission procedures

 A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge.

How to Apply

 All applicants apply simultaneously for admission as a graduate student to the University of Cambridge and a Gates Cambridge Scholarship using the one application pack.

Application Deadline:  December 4, 2012

For information click here

Guest PhD Scholarships in Sweden for Developing Countries

Country and Sponsor: Sweden, Swedish Government

Programme and Deadline: PhD, 1 March every year. Course starts: September every year

Brief description:

Sponsored Ad

The Guest Scholarship Program provides PhD candidates and Postdoctoral researchers with an excellent opportunity to conduct a study or research visit to a Swedish university within all academic fields. As a Guest Scholarship Program candidate you can choose to apply for a study/research visit to Sweden according to the following models:

1. Post-doctoral research: a long-term postdoctoral research visit of 6, 12 or 18 months.

2. PhD studies: a long-term PhD research visit of 6 or 12 months.

Host Institution(s):

Accredited academic institutions and universities in Sweden

Field of study:

Any research program in all academic fields

Number of Awards:

In category one the Swedish Institute has the opportunity to offer approximately 20 scholarships.  In category two the Swedish Institute has the opportunity to offer approximately 5-10 scholarships.  The final number of scholarships depends on how many candidates in the final selection that have applied for a PhD or Postdoctoral stay in Sweden, and for how long.

Target group:

The program is open to candidates from two different categories of countries that determine certain aspects of the program:

Category 1:  Candidates coming from countries on the Development Assistance Committee list of recipients of Official Development Assistance, the so-called ODA recipients.

Category 2: Candidates coming from the following countries:  Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Scholarship value/inclusions:

Stipend: The scholarship amounts to SEK 12,000 per month for PhD students and SEK 15,000 for post-doctoral studies. Scholarship periods are fixed for 6, 12 or 18 months.

Travel Grants: Scholarship holders from ODA countries will receive travel support in connection with the scholarship. The travel grant is a lump sum, given only once. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey and receive SEK 5,000. Citizens from remaining ODA countries receive SEK 15,000. PhD students on a sandwich set-up from ODA countries will be given only one travel grant per calendar year.

Insurance: Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period. For citizens of EU member states and other Convention countries the insurance applies with certain limitations.

Eligibility:

The scholarships are intended for guest students or researchers belonging to any of the above mentioned countries and target groups, applying for full-time studies/research in Sweden. There is no age limit for the scholarship holders.

Please note that to be eligible for a scholarship at PhD level you must be enrolled in ongoing PhD studies at a university outside Sweden.

Please also note that to be eligible for a scholarship at Postdoctoral level you must be holder of a PhD degree, preferably from 2007 or later. You can still apply if you expect to get your PhD degree shortly. However, you must be able to show that you successfully defended your PhD thesis no later than April 15, 2012.

You are not eligible for this scholarship if any of the following is true:

•  You have already lived in Sweden for two years or more when the scholarship period is due to begin.
•  You have a Swedish permanent residence permit.
•  You have a Swedish work permit and you are not an EU citizen.
•  You are applying for a scholarship at Postdoctoral level, but you do not hold any PhD degree, and will not be able to defend your PhD thesis before April 15, 2012.
•  You are applying for a scholarship at PhD level, but you are not enrolled in ongoing PhD studies at a university outside Sweden.

Application instructions:

Read the application instructions here. The deadline for applications is 1 March annually. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website: http://www.studyinsweden.se/Scholarships/SI-scholarships/Guest-Scholarship-Program/

PhD in Innovation and Land use Management (University of Algarve) - Call for Applications

The Faculty of Economics of the University of Algarve and the Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics (www.cieo.ualg.pt) are starting the 2nd Edition of the PhD in Innovation and Land Use Management.
The PhD program main goal is to form researchers able to promote scientific research in the areas of Innovation and Land Use Management based on multidisciplinary approaches related to spatial and organizational dynamics.
Deadline for this call for applications: 13 July 2012.
More information available at: http://www.fe.ualg.pt/sitefeualg2/main.php?id_geral=8

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships

If you are a citizen of a developed Commonwealth country, you can apply for:

• Scholarships for PhD and split-site (PhD) study at UK universities

If you are a citizen of a developing Commonwealth country, you can apply for

• Scholarships for Master’s, PhD, or split-site (PhD) study at UK universities
• Shared Scholarships for Master’s study at selected UK universities
• Distance Learning Scholarships to study UK Master’s degree courses in your home country
• Academic Fellowships for mid-career academics to spend time at UK universities
• Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals to spend time at a UK host organisation

If you are a citizen of the Falkland Islands, the Maldives, St Helena or the Seychelles, you can apply for:

• Scholarships for undergraduate study at UK universities

If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, you can apply for

• Scholarships and fellowships in other Commonwealth countries

To find out more about Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships in countries other than the UK, visit the CSFP website. 

Read more here...

TRECCAfrica PHD Scholarship Call

TRECCAfrica provides 16 scholarships for full-time doctoral study at partner institutions. These scholarships are available to students and staff members of TRECCAfrica partner institutions only (Target Group 1), with one scholarship available to Mozambican nationals (Target Group 2).

The number of scholarships available to applicants from each partner institution is listed under the section “Scholarship Particulars”.

Applicants need to demonstrate how their proposed research topic will fit into TRECCAfrica’s overall theme of climate change and resource efficiency. In addition, they need to demonstrate a basic understanding of transdisciplinarity in their research methodology.

To assist applicants a concept note on the theme and a reading list on transdisciplinarity is available under the section ‘Apply now’. Please these documents and send an email to treccafrica@sun.ac.za for further readings on transdisciplinarity.

Regional PhD Programme in Dryland Resource Management - 2011/2012 Academic Year

Admission to the regional PhD programme (Dryland Resource Management) hosted by the University of Nairobi, Kenya for the 2011/2012 academic year is on. Application deadline set on 30th September 2011.

Applicants should be: a) holders of a Master of Science degree in agricultural related disciplines, biological sciences, environmental sciences or natural resource management, b) holders of Masters Degree in relevant social sciences recommended by the Faculty Board and approved by Senate or an equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by Senate.  The programme consists of course work and examinations during the first year, followed by research and thesis during the second and third year. The programme shall take a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years.

For more information on the programme, please contact: Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, Box 30197 -00100 Nairobi, Kenya; Tel: +254.20.2181354; Email: deanagric@uonbi.ac.ke; or Chairman, Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, email: larmat@uonbi.ac.ke

Scholarship Links

This post is for bachelor students, and post-bachelor degree persons interested to pursue Master or PhD studies, and are looking out for Scholarships. We update the links regularly so click on the label scholarship to visit this post often, or subscribe for an RSS.

Flemish Inter-University Council (VLIR) Scholarships, 1 and 2 Years Master level for ICPs and short-term training programmes (ITPs) , tenable in Flemish Universities in Flanders, Belgium.  PhD scholarship only awarded to ICP Graduates. Application deadline February 1 each year. http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/ ; http://www.vliruos.be

Ghent University, Special Research Fund (BOF), supports Doctoral students from developing countries. You can apply any time through your Promoter (Professor) at Ghent University. http://www.ugent.be/en/research/funding/phd/BOF/docos.htm

DAAD Scholarships http://nairobi.daad.de/

The Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) are fellowship programmes designed to promote capacity building in 60 developing countries by providing training and education to their mid-career staff members. For deadlines and more info visit http://tinyurl.com/3d9dd4r

Erasmus Mundus - Scholarships and Academic Cooperation
Erasmus Mundus aims to enhance quality in higher education through scholarships for individuals (Master and Doctorates) and academic cooperation between Europe and the rest of the world. Check link for more info.

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) implements its mission through a range of activities but at its core is the Competitive Grants System (CGS), comprising a number of different competitively awarded grant programmes including;

• the Graduate Research Grants (GRG),
• the Community Action Research Programme (CARP), special calls to meet some particular disciplinary or operational criteria, and  
• the Field Attachment Programme Awards (FAPA) for students to engage with prospective employers and clients of their research after handing in their theses.

Check out their website for calls.

National Council for Science and Technology - Research Grants. They have calls every year, so it is worth visiting their site often. Helps if you have a proposal ready for customizing to the particular call.

Local projects - talk talk talk to the Professors and Heads of Departments in the line of your research interest. A ready proposal is an added advantage.

Scholarships Websites - Examples, http://scholarship-positions.com ; http://www.advance-africa.com/ Many of these websites allow you to subscribe to an email newsletter and they send you updates to your inbox

Google - the best thing that ever happened 'sic' to information age. So go ahead and Google it. You never know.

Among others..........that you can put in the comments section below and benefit someone else.

Good luck. The Living Land