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 Guest Scholarship Programme for post-doctoral research in Sweden

The programme aims at strengthening and developing research relevant to capacity building and fighting poverty in programme countries. An estimated 20 scholarships will be offered for the academic year 2014/2015.

The scholarship application call for the academic year 2014/2015 is now open. Application deadline is 24:00 CET, Wednesday, 15 January 2014.

Countries

The programme is targeted at candidates from the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Target group

The programme provides researchers with a PhD degree with an opportunity to conduct research at Swedish universities and research institutes. Priority will be given to applicants with a PhD degree from 2009 or later.

Duration of scholarship

The scholarships will be granted for long-term visits (6, 9 or 12 months) during the academic year 2014/2015 (1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015).

Fields of research

The following disciplines only are eligible during this call for applications:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Technology
• Environmental Science related to Agricultural Sciences or Natural Sciences or Technology

The next call for applications for the academic year 2015/2016 will be open for the following disciplines only:

• Business and Social Sciences
• Health and Medicine
• Environmental Science related to Social Sciences

Scholarship benefits

The scholarship amounts to SEK 18,000 per month. The scholarship includes one travel grant of SEK 15,000 and insurance coverage. The scholarship cannot be prolonged or extended.

SI Network for Future Global Leaders

All Swedish Institute scholarship holders are invited to become members of the SI Network for Future Global Leaders; a network which offers unique opportunities during and after the stay in Sweden. Together with other talented people from all around the world, the scholarship holder is invited to take part in a variety of events, exchange ideas and create networks which benefit both career and personal development.

Who is eligible?

The scholarships are intended for holders of a PhD degree within any of the above-mentioned disciplines eligible for 2014/2015 for full-time research in Sweden. The applicant is not eligible for this scholarship if any of the following is true:

• Has already lived in Sweden for two or more years when the scholarship period is due to begin.
• Already has a Swedish permanent residence permit.

Applicants who have previously been awarded a scholarship from SI for study or research at a Swedish university will not be given priority.

Selection criteria and areas of priority

Applications are evaluated by the Swedish Institute and an academic board. The primary evaluation of the application takes into account the applicant’s academic background and personal motivation, research quality and expertise in the project field of the host department. Also the strength of the research proposal with regard to its scientific quality, originality, methodological approach, and relevance is evaluated. In the final selection of candidates SI will consider the distribution of scholarships with regards to academic fields, universities, purpose of study, nationality and gender.

The application should clearly state how your research project can contribute to the development in your country.

Insurance

Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period.

Scholarship limitations

• The scholarship is designed to cover living costs for the scholarship holder. There are no grants for family members. No funding for bench fees is provided.
• The granted scholarship period cannot be altered or extended. In case of a postponed arrival date, the scholarship period can be decreased accordingly.

How to apply

Please read the application instructions here.

Application deadline

The scholarship application call for the academic year 2014/2015 is now open. Application deadline is 24:00 CET, Wednesday, 15 January 2014.

Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund 2014 Research Fellowships: Call for Applications

Closing date for applications: February 28th 2014

The Biosciences eastern and central Africa - International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, located in Nairobi, Kenya, is a shared agricultural research and biosciences platform that exists to increase access for African researchers to affordable, world-class research facilities. In addition, the BecA-ILRI Hub provides research-related services and capacity building opportunities to eastern and central Africa and beyond. 

The Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund (ABCF), managed by the BecA-ILRI Hub, provides fellowships to scientists and graduate students from African national agricultural research organisations and universities to undertake biosciences research-for-development projects at the BecA-ILRI Hub. The purpose of the ABCF fellowship program is to develop capacity for agricultural biosciences research in Africa, to support research projects that ultimately contribute towards increasing food and nutritional security or food safety in Africa, and to facilitate access to the BecA-ILRI Hub by African researchers.

 We seek applicants with innovative ideas for short to medium term research projects (up to 12 months) that can be undertaken at the BecA-ILRI Hub. Projects must be in the areas of food and nutritional security or food safety in Africa. 

Scientists and graduate students conducting research in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Improved control of priority livestock diseases including African swine fever (ASF); contagious bovine and caprine pleuropneumonia (CBPP and CCPP); peste des petits ruminants (PPR); Rift Valley fever (RVF); East Coast fever (ECF); capripox virus diseases of ruminants;
• Harnessing genetic diversity for conservation, resistance to disease and improving productivity of crops and livestock (livestock focus: African indigenous breeds, particularly of goats, chickens, and cavies and other micro-livestock);
• Molecular breeding for important food security crops in Africa;
• Plant transformation to address food insecurity in Africa;
• Plant-microbe interactions;
• Tissue culture and virus indexing for production of virus-free planting materials in Africa;
• Orphan crops including amaranth, baobab, taro, wild mushrooms, enset;
• Crop pests, pathogens and weed management research, including biological control;
• Food safety, including addressing aflatoxin and other mycotoxin contamination in food and feeds;
• Nutritional analysis of food and feeds;
• Rapid diagnostics for crop and livestock diseases;
• Genomics and metagenomics, including for microbial discovery;
• Studies on climate-smart forage grasses and mixed livestock-crop systems;
• Microbial technology for improving adaptation of staple food crops and grasses to biotic and abiotic stresses;
• Soil health in agricultural systems;
• Special opportunities also exist to connect with leading international scientists linked with the BecA-ILRI Hub in the following areas: wheat rusts, insect pests, nitrogen fixation. (For these opportunities please apply by Dec 31st 2013)
• Other special opportunities exist to connect with CGIAR Research Programs on Livestock & Fish and Agriculture for Nutrition & Health to explore how their proposed research might fit into the on-going efforts to improve pro-poor food systems in Tanzania (smallholder dairy), Uganda (smallholder pigs), Egypt (aquaculture) and Ethiopia (small ruminants). Such collaboration would allow the candidate’s research to contribute more directly to an impact-oriented research-for-development agenda, and offer additional opportunities for joint activities. For more information, please contact: Dr. Amos Omore a.omore at cgiar dot org (Tanzania dairy); Dr. Danilo Pezo d.pezo at cgiar dot org (Uganda pigs); Dr. Malcolm Dickson m.dickson at cgiar dot org (Egypt aquaculture); Dr. Barbara Rischkowsky b.rischkowsky at cgiar dot org (Ethiopia small ruminants).

 We particularly welcome applications from women candidates. 

 Applicant requirements

• National (passport holder) of a BecA-ILRI Hub target country: Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda. In exceptional cases we may consider applicants from other African countries.
• A researcher at a national agricultural research organization or university in a BecA-ILRI Hub target country
• Currently engaged in research in food and nutritional security or food safety in Africa, or in a research area with relevance to agriculture in Africa
• MSc or PhD in biosciences, agriculture or related subject. In exceptional cases we may consider applicants with a bachelor’s degree.
• Good working knowledge of written and spoken English
• Completed online application form
• A signed letter of approval for your application from the head of your institute.

Costs covered by the fellowship 

• Research at the BecA-ILRI Hub
• Travel
• Medical insurance
• Accommodation
• Living allowance

Please note that fellowships do not cover the cost of fieldwork or research at the applicant’s home institute.

Timeline

• Closing date for applications: February 28th 2014.
• We will begin to notify early applicants from Dec 1st 2013. The notification process will be completed byApril 30th 2014.
• Implementation of projects: from January 2014. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE: https://beca.fluidreview.com 

 The ABCF Research Fellowship programme is supported by the Australian Government through a partnership between Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the BecA-ILRI Hub; and by the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).

• For general information on the BecA-ILRI Hub visit http://hub.africabiosciences.org/aboutbeca
• For information on the technologies and research-related services available at the BecA-ILRI Hub visithttp://hub.africabiosciences.org/activities/services 

Thank you in advance for considering this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you.

Email: Beca-Hub at cgiar dot org 

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION GUIDELINES HERE:

Attachments: Application Guidelines.pdf[ ]129 Kb

Full Scholarships PhD Positions at the University of Nairobi and University of Copenhagen

PhD POSITION 1
 

Study Area:
 

Development Studies, Ecological Economics, Environmental and Resources Economics, Agricultural and Resource Economics. Specialization in institutional analyses of agri-environmental policy instruments and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the African Context (CAADP).
 

Qualifications:
Master’s degree in social sciences, Agricultural Economics, Environmental and Resource Economics and related fields. Preferable experience in studying green inclusive agricultural policy and market instruments such as geographical indication instruments (GIs) and marketing of origin/local foods. Specialization in use of geographical information systems as providers of data and knowledge forming a basis for Environmental Services, Valorisation systems, including landscape labels
 

University:
University of Nairobi (starting September 2013) and summer semester (2014) at the University of Copenhagen
 

Supervisors:
Dr. John Mburu (Kenya) and Dr. Henrik Egelyng (Denmark)
 

PhD POSITION 2
 

Study Area: 

Specialization in quantitative ecological economic analysis of agri-environmental systems and environmental services (Pollination) provided by (smallholder stewarded) agricultural systems – with a view to articulate the “visibility” of Pollination services by use of quantitative analyses and modeling.
 

Qualifications: 

A Masters degree in ecological sciences (or agricultural [ecological] economics) and experience with quantitative analysis of biophysical material flows, ecological systems and visibilisation of biodiversity functions (in particular yield and quality effects/functions of pollinators/market and non-market values of pollination services).
 

University:
University of Nairobi (starting September 2013) and summer semester (2014) at the University of Copenhagen
 

Supervisors:
Dr. Mary Gikungu (Kenya) and Dr. Bosselmann and Dr. Hansted (Denmark).
 

Applications:
Cover letter, CV and Msc certificates, only by email to both john.mburu@uonbi.ac.ke and mgikungu@yahoo.com

Research Training Fellowship for Developing Countires Scientists: Call for Applications 2013-2014

Application Closing Date: Monday 14 October 2013.

The Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre) is inviting applications from eligible scientists of the developing countries for RTF-DCS for the financial year 2013–14 (April 2013 to March 2014).

There are 20 fellowships for a duration of 6 months, in the following fields of research:

1. Agricultural Sciences
2. Biological and Medical Sciences
3. Chemical Sciences
4. Physical Sciences and Mathematics
5. Earth Sciences
6. Engineering Sciences
7. Materials, Minerals and Metallurgy
8. Multi-disciplinary and Other Areas

Eligibility

• Applicant should possess at least a Master’s Degree in any Natural Science subject or an equivalent degree in Engineering or Medicine and allied disciplines.
• Applicant should be working in a National R&D or Academic Institution in his/her home country.
• The application should be endorsed by the Head of his/her institution confirming that if selected, he/she will be sanctioned leave for the Fellowship period and will join his/her duties back in the institution on completion of the Fellowship in India.
• The upper age limit for the applicant is 40 years on the last date for submission of application.
• Researchers of Indian Nationality are not eligible for the Fellowship.

About Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing countries (NAM  S & T Centre)

As an instrument for the promotion of South-South Cooperation in Science and Technology, the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre)  initiated a Fellowship scheme titled ‘Research Training Fellowship for Developing Country Scientists (RTF-DCS)’ in 2012, which is sponsored by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The Fellowship aims at capacity building of young researchers of the developing countries in science and technology by giving them opportunities to affiliate themselves with premier academic and research institutions in India with full financial support including their international travel, and local hospitality, etc.

Objectives

• To promote mobility of scientists and researchers from the developing countries into India and provide them opportunity to work at Indian R&D/academic institutions to upgrade their research skills and expertise.
• To facilitate exchange of information and contacts between the scientists and researchers of India and other developing countries and create a network for building research collaborations.

Click here for a downloadable brochure for placement on noticeboards or for more information on application process and selection criteria, visit http://www.namstct.org/

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

4 PhD Scholarships for Kenyan applicants: Pastoral meat value chains

Call for application [» download PDF]

Organisation/Project: These studies will be jointly implemented between University of Nairobi, the National Museums of Kenya and the German Institute for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics (DITSL) at the University of Kassel in Germany. GlobE Project: RELOAD: Reduction of Post Harvest Losses and Value Addition in East African Food Value Chains
Application deadline: Selection of candidates will start on 1^st of May 2013 and continue until positions are filled.

RELOAD: Reduction of Post Harvest Losses and Value Addition in East African Food Value Chains builds a research network between partners in Germany, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. It is a 5 year collaborative project led by the Institute for Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kassel in Germany. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF),
and starts in June 2013.

In Kenya, one focus of RELOAD is on pastoral meat value chains. The high losses along the meat value chain include material losses i.e. weight loss prior to slaughter, wastage of animal products and byproducts, losses in quality as meat products are highly perishable and economic losses due to low net profit margins for the producers. Four PhD thesis projects will analyse different possibilities to reduce losses and increase efficiency along the pastoral meat value chains. These studies will be jointly implemented between University of Nairobi, the National Museums of Kenya and the German Institute for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics (DITSL) at the University of Kassel in Germany.

PhD candidates will be registered at either the University of Nairobi or at the University of Kassel.

The following PhD topics are on offer. In all cases applicants need to have very good knowledge on pastoral production.

1. Assessing the potential of stratified livestock production and marketing systems to reduce losses along the pastoral meat value chain.
   Interest and good knowledge on: Rangeland management, livestock nutrition and husbandry and livestock marketing.
   Contact: Dr. Oliver Wasonga, University of Nairobi, email oliverwasonga@uonbi.ac.ke, o.wasonga@ditsl.org. Scholarship starts in January 2014.
2. Assessing the potential of pastoral marketing associations to reduce economic losses.
   Interest and good knowledge on: community based approaches, farmer groups and collective action, institutional economy, network analysis, linking farmers to markets.
   Contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brigitte Kaufmann, DITSL, email b.kaufmann@ditsl.org or Dr. Oliver Wasonga, email oliverwasonga@uonbi.ac.ke, o.wasonga@ditsl.org. Starts in January 2014.
3. Upgrading traditional meat preservation techniques.
   Interest and good knowledge on: Value addition in meat processing, food science, community based approaches, indigenous knowledge in pastoral production system, micro-enterprise development.
   Contact: Dr. Hassan Roba, National Museums of Kenya, email: guyoroba@yahoo.com, h.roba@ditsl.org. Scholarship starts in August 2013.
4. Collaborative learning approaches for stakeholders in the pastoral meat value chain.
   Interest and good knowledge on: Designing interactive learning: adult learning & experiential learning; facilitating and managing learning processes.
   Contact: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brigitte Kaufmann, b.kaufmann@ditsl.org. Starts in September 2013.

For each topic we offer a PhD scholarship and the research funds to pursue empirical field research. Furthermore candidates will be able to access research infrastructure at the University of Nairobi, the National Museums of Kenya and the DITSL in Witzenhausen in Germany.

Qualifications of the applicants:

• Excellent master or equivalent degree in agricultural sciences, natural resource management, range management, animal production, veterinary sciences, agricultural economics, geography, development studies or related fields.
• Very good English communication and writing skills
• Team work orientation and networking skills.

You are a particularly suitable candidate if you:

• have your family background in pastoral systems.
• have practiced and liked participatory research and cooperation with practitioners.
• Have experience in the area of the PhD study for which you apply.

Female and male applicants are equally encouraged to apply for these positions.

Application
Please specify the topic to which you apply and provide a statement of motivation for you to choose this topic. Submit your documents to the respective contact person. Application documents comprise: A letter of motivation (indicating the topic you apply for), Curriculum Vitae, Publication list, Summary of the master thesis, Copies of relevant certificates, Contact details of 2-3 referees. Please submit these documents by email in one single PDF file. Selection of candidates will start on 1^st of May 2013 and continue until positions are filled.

DAAD In-Country Scholarships 2013/2014 for Postgraduate Studies

Application deadline: 20th June 2013

Opportunities Masters and PhDs at Kenyan Public or Chartered Universities

Offer

.Full scholarship for up to 3 years

.Research allowance and up to 6 months research stay in Germany .Lifelong access to DAAD alumni programmes

Requirements

.Present or prospective staff member of a public or chartered university or research institute .A Kenyan or Kenyan resident from a developing country - last degree not older than 6 years.

.Bachelor's qualification of at least upper second division .Full or provisional admission to the desired degree course .Field relevant to national development .Recommendation letter/s from high level academic referee/s

Additional requirements for PhD

.A very good Masters degree

.Declaration of acceptance from an academic supervisor .Excellent research proposal of 10 to 15 pages

Women are encouraged to apply!

Application deadline: June 20th each year Application forms: University Graduate School or DAAD Office Nairobi Forms and more Info: http://nairobi.daad.de/funding_for_studying_kenya_a.php

DAAD contact person:

Bonface Nyagah

bonface@daadafrica.org

Tel: +254-771444 111, Direct Line: +254-733465720

JJ/WBGS Program Scholarships Applications Now Open

Application Deadline: March 31, 2013 (Annual)

Please review the following pages:

	Eligibility Criteria
	Benefits
	Application Guidelines
	Preferred Universities in 2013-2014

Eligibility
To apply for a JJ/WBGSP scholarship under the Regular Program, an applicant must:

• Be a national of a World Bank member country eligible to borrow.
•  Be born after March 31, 1973.
•  Have, by March 31, 2013, at least 2, preferably 4 to 5, years of recent full time professional experience acquired after a university degree, in the applicant’s home country or in another developing country.
•  Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
• Be in good health.
• Be of good character.
•  Not be a permanent resident or a national of any industrialized country.
•  Not be residing in an industrialized country for more than one year.
• Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, staff of the World Bank Group (the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Development Association, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes), consultant, or relative of the aforementioned.

  Program of Study

•  Eligible applicants should propose a program of study related to development at the master's level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development‑related subject.
•  The proposed program of study should start during the academic year 2013/2014 for a maximum duration of two years. The JJ/WBGSP does not support applicants who are already enrolled (i.e., taking classes) in graduate degree programs.
•  Applicants should submit evidence of current unconditional admission to at least one development-related university master’s degree program. Applicants are encouraged to apply to one of the Preferred Universities. 
•  The Program does not support studies in the applicant’s home country.
•  The Program does not support applicants for MBA, MDs, M.Phil. or Ph.D. degrees.
• The Program does not support legal studies such as J.D., L.L.M. or S.J.D. except for L.L.M.’s related to human rights, environment, or good governance.

Selection CriteriaEligible applications are assessed according to three main factors: academic excellence, professional experience, and relevance of program of study. Priority is given to candidates from the public sector with a high potential to impact the development in their own countries after completion of their studies. To the extent permitted by Program requirements and selection standards, the JJ/WBGSP:

• seeks to maintain a reasonably wide geographical distribution of awards and gives priority to applicants from low-income countries
• supports promising female candidates
• gives priority to those candidates who, other things equal, have limited financial resources

  Special Conditions

• In accepting the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, candidates commit themselves to return to and work in their home countries after completion of their studies.
• In accepting this scholarship, candidates consent to the employment restriction policy of the JJ/WBGSP and acknowledge that they will not be able to work at the World Bank Group or IMF for three years after completion of their academic program.