ILRI-DAAD PhD Scholarship

ILRI-DAAD PhD Scholarship Animal Sciences for Sustainable Productivity (ASSP) – LegumeCHOICE in Ethiopia 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:  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 Goal of the project is to improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and enhance the production environment of smallholder farmers and rural populations, in particular women, 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. The Purpose of the project is to provide knowledge and tools 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. Graduate Fellowship Project Title:  Multipurpose legumes in integrated crop-livestock systems in East Africa: Farmer’s preferences and decision making. The position The PhD research will build on the theoretical framework developed through the Legume CHOICE project.  The research will involve: Developing a classification of legume types e.g. food legumes, tree legumes, forage legumes, cover legumes through literature review, consultation with key informants and through farm-level surveys. Assess contribution of each type to farm family objectives: provision of food, forage, soil nitrogen, fuel  and others, through farm-level surveys. Understand farmer perceptions of legumes and their functions through focus group discussions at community level. Assessment of how different farmer typology demands alters the optimal choice of legume types through simple modelling approaches.  Responsibilities: Identify different legume types and their use, and assess how they contribute to farm family objectives In Kenya and Ethiopia including provision of food, forage, fuel and soil fertility. Understand attitudes to the introduction and value of legumes for multiple uses. Assess how different farmer typology demands alters the optimal choice of legume types through simple modelling approaches. Essential Skills and Qualifications will include: MSc in a relevant discipline. Understanding and experience of smallholder systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ability to produce written work of reasonable quality. Ability to work in multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary teams. Willingness to spend considerable periods in rural locations for field work. Evidence of initiative and ability to work independently. 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/academic supervisor. How to apply: Interested applicants 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.  The position title and reference number: PHDAD/DAAD/05/2015 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. Curriculum Vitae without photograph; please use the europass CV template athttp://europass.cedefop.europa.eu. Certified copies of all university degree certificates. Certified copies of all university transcripts. At least temporary University admission letter including fee structure of respective course (original or certified copy only), or an official letter assuring admission. If this is not available by the closing date for application; please include with the application a commitment letter that you will have obtained this by 1st September 2015 as this is a mandatory requirement before commencing the fellowship program. PhD research proposal and a detailed work plan (10 to 15 pages); plagiarism will be checked! The proposal has to be in line with the above outlined ILRI’s research project. Abstract of the proposal on one page (please include name and title of proposal) Where applicable a recommendation letter by head of department indicating that you are a present or prospective member of staff and how you will be integrated into the staff development agenda of the university (original only) Confirmation of study leave from your university (if applicable). Confirmation of teaching release (university staff members only). Applications: All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com by the deadline of 10th June 2015. The scholarships are only awarded to citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries (SSA) To find out more about ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/ Suitably qualified women and citizens of developing countries, with experience of working internationally, are particularly encouraged to apply.