DIVERSIFYING FOOD SYSTEMS DIVERSIFYING FOOD SYSTEMS DIVERSIFYING FOOD SYSTEMS DIVERSIFYING FOOD SYSTEMS

(HORTINLEA) Programme "GlobE - Global Food Security"

National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030 of the Federal Republic of Germany

Call for Applications:

Applications for the Doctoral Programme within the framework of the joint international research project HORTINLEA are welcome.

The general objective of project HORTINLEA is to address pressing challenges of undernutrition, poverty and sustainability and to improve the livelihood and nutritional situation in particular of the rural and urban poor in East Africa by producing knowledge helping to improve and increase horticultural production especially of indigenous vegetables. Interdisciplinary results will be achieved by building on research within the following areas of interest:

• Water use efficiency
• Integrated pest management
• Soil fertility management
• Quality assurance in post-harvest
• Human health impacts of vegetables
• Variety development
• Market trends and consumption habits
• Climate change and ecological sustainability
• Poverty and vulnerability of households
• Gender research
• Institutional arrangements of horticulture
• Value chain strategies
• Transferring knowledge into policies and practise

For more information about the project please visit: www.hortinlea.org

Scholarship and financing

A competitive salary or scholarship will be provided during the research phase at one of the Kenyan partner universities and extra stipend to cover costs while conducting research at German partner universities. The Graduate School regularly offers courses.

PhD SCHOLARSHIP POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

The Egerton University and the German Centre for Rural Development (SLE) offer two PhD positions in the field of climate change. The PhD students will contribute to the Sub-Project 8 (SP8): “Climate Change and Ecological Sustainability of Horticultural Value Chains” under the supervision of the Egerton University and Humboldt, SLE and PIK academics.

The central aim of the sub-project 8 is to provide a comprehensive analysis on the impacts of climate change on horticultural production and environmental sustainability issues, by considering different farming systems, including smallholders, outgrowers, export farms, and urban/peri-urban glasshouse production. Based on this analysis, the project shall identify options both for adapting to a changing climate and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on farms and along value chains.

Applicants are expected to develop, define and implement their own PhD research project within the SP8.

Applicants for this PhD positions should have a background in at least one of the following fields: Economics, agriculture / horticulture, environmental science / natural resources management, rural development. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree with excellent results. Very good written and oral English and excellent MS Office skills are essential for this position. Knowledge of German is beneficial, but not required.

Core eligibility criteria:

•  Age: 25-35
•  Master’s degree
•  National of Kenya, Ethiopia, or Tansania
•  Eligible for registration in Humboldt University of Berlin1
•  Able to work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural team

Of advantage are as well:

• Relevant publications and very good writing skills
•  Methods/experience for/in empirical socio-economic research and
•  Excellent organisation and communication skills

Applications are expected in the area of “Climate Change and Ecological Sustainability” for two distinct positions: A Climate Change Adaptation and B. Climate Change Mitigation

A. Specific expectations and duties of the Climate Change Adaptation PhD candidate:

The candidate shall have a strong interest to conduct research work in climate change adaptation at multiple levels, including farm, community, and national level. The main objective of the PhD research will be analysing the impacts of climate change on different farming systems, and to identify measures to increase resilience to climate change. The smallholder farming system is in the center of research interest. Moreover, synergies and trade-offs between climate change adaptation and mitigation are to be identified, and other yet to be determined indicators of ecological sustainability to be considered, e.g. water use, biodiversity, pest management, soil quality and competition for land. The candidate shall have prior experience of conducting research in developing countries, preferably in East Africa. Further the candidate should have first experience or knowledge on tools and methods for climate change adaptation analysis and for climate-friendly agriculture/horticulture, including cost-benefit analysis.

Visit the website: http://www.hu-berlin.de/?set_language=en&cl=en

B. Specific expectations and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation research fellow:

The candidate shall have a strong interest to conduct research work in climate change mitigation focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions along the horticultural value chain. The main objective of the PhD research will be to estimate the amount of GHGs emitted per unit of product (Product Carbon Footprint PCF) of different value chains and to recommend options for increasing production efficiencies and reducing the PCF. Smallholder production on African indigenous vegetables is in the center of research interest. Moreover, synergies and trade-offs between climate change adaptation and mitigation are to be identified, and other yet to be determined indicators of ecological sustainability to be considered, e.g. water use, biodiversity, pest management, soil quality and competition for land. The candidate shall have prior experience of conducting research in developing countries, preferably in East Africa. Further the candidate should have first experience or knowledge on tools and methods to measure carbon or ecological footprints and/or methods to measure greenhouse gas emissions from land use change, agriculture or horticulture.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are required to submit the following documents via email:

1. A letter of interest, indicating the distinct research position A (climate change adaptation) or B (climate change mitigation) and a concise statement of their interest
2. Current Curriculum Vitae, including at least 2 academic referees (Recommended Europass CV format form can be downloaded at http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/home
3. Certified copies (in PDF format) of academic certificates and transcripts of degree, courses taken;
4. Preferably a short summary of master thesis (max. 3 pages)

Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Handicapped persons are especially encouraged to apply.

The PhD positions are open as soon as possible, ending June 30th, 2016, with possible extension in a second phase. The main research activities are based in Kenya. Successful applicants have the opportunity to visit the HORTINLEA Graduate School at the Leibniz University of Hannover. The positions will be financed by HORTINLEA project. The PhD students will receive additional funding for travel and accommodation for the time spent in Germany or abroad.

For further information, potential applicants are encouraged to contact through the following email address: Dr. Hillary K. Bett (Egerton University) hk_bett@yahoo.com or Dr. Silke Stoeber (Humboldt University) silke.stoeber@agrar.hu-berlin.de.

Please send your application to: hk_bett@yahoo.com AND silke.stoeber@agrar.hu-berlin.de

The deadline for applications is 15 November 2014. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Pre-selected applicants will be invited for an interview in Nakuru, Egerton in the first or second week of December 2014 where final candidates will be identified. Notifications will be sent out by 25 November.