ILRI-DAAD PhD Scholarships 2013

Reference Number: PHDKB/DAAD/05/2013
CCAFS – Standard Assessment of Mitigation Potential and Livelihoods in Smallholder Systems
Location: Uganda
Duration: 1 year from September 2013 renewable for up to 3 years subject to performance

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. www.ilri.org.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

DAAD is a German Academic Exchange service which is a publicly funded, self-governing organization of the institutions of higher education in Germany. DAAD promotes international academic exchange as well as educational co-operation with developing countries through a variety of funding and scholarship programs.

ILRI Research Project: Standard Assessment of Mitigation Potential and Livelihoods in Smallholder Systems.

The project aims to generate a comprehensive baseline data for greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from agricultural systems in East Africa region. It also works to systematically characterize major farming systems for GHG emissions. Because most sub-Saharan African countries have agricultural dependent economies (estimates above 30% GDP), development plans must consider the environmental impact of different intensification pathways  in terms of GHG emissions but also with regard to water supply and water quality or biodiversity – that are designed to achieve food security in the region.

Graduate Fellowship Project Title:  Assessing Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation Options for the CCAFS Sentinel Site Rakai, Uganda.

The Position: The graduate fellow will quantify GHG emissions from the different farming systems found at the CCAFS sentinel site Rakai, Uganda. Close cooperation with the IITA office in Kampala is foreseen. Based on a priori identification of farming systems and farming practices in the study region, field and laboratory measurements of in situ soil GHG emissions and potentials will be carried out, supplemented by measurement of crop productivity and economic parameters. Based on the results biogeochemical models capable of simulating crop growth and biosphere-atmosphere exchange processes will be validated. These models will finally be used for exploring different strategies for GHG mitigation on various spatial and temporal scales.

Responsibilities:

• Regional targeting;
• Field and lab measurements;
• Modeling;
• Exploration of mitigation options.

Essential Skills and Qualifications will include:

• Strong background in agronomy, soil sciences or biogeochemistry, experience in modeling and GIS;
• Be a staff member of a university (or candidate considered for teaching or research staff recruitment) or from the public sector aiming at a PhD degree;
• Have completed their last degree less than 6 years ago at the time of application;
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree with at least an upper second class;
• Must be nationals of a Sub-Saharan African Country. Please note that it is not possible to apply for studies in your home country.

Terms of appointment: ILRI will offer a competitive stipend to cover living expenses in the project location(s). The successful candidate will be supervised jointly by an ILRI scientist and the university supervisor.

How to apply: Interested applicants should address should submit the following documents:

• A cover letter explaining your interest in the position, what you can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about your professional qualifications and work experience;
• Curriculum Vitae without photograph; please use the europass CV template athttp://europass.cedefop.europa.eu;
• Recommendation letter by the affiliate university head of department;
• Certified copies of all university degree certificates;
• Certified copies of all university transcripts;
• At least temporary admission letter from the host institution;
• Detailed and precise description of the research project (incl. working plan and time schedule until graduation). The proposal has to be in line with the above outlined ILRI’s research projects;
• Declaration of acceptance from academic/university supervisor;
• Proof of employment with certification that you receive an unpaid leave (if applicable).

Email your application to CapDev.recruitment@cgiar.org  on or before 31 May 2013. The position title and reference number should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.