VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT(Ref. No. IRS/116/052015)
icipe African Insect Science for Food and Health is a
world-class research centre with a mission to alleviate poverty by
ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the
environment and building the capacity of researchers and
communities across the developing world through the application of
insect sciences. Employing more than 500 national and international
staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with outposts in
Ethiopia and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. icipe
has a proud reputation and history of delivering world-quality
science that has made crucial contributions to African food and
health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities
and has been at the forefront of building Africas biological
research capacity. The Centres research activities span the African
continent with partnerships linking research organisations not only
across Africa but also the globe.
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to join an
established interdisciplinary team dedicated to the development of
sustainable IPM programmes for the management of fruit flies and
other arthropod pests that constrain fruit production in
sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The incumbent will plan and direct an
ecological research and integrated pest management approach to
support the implementation of environmentally acceptable
interventions to manage fruit flies, false codling moth, citrus
psyllid etc., on tree crops such as mango, citrus and avocado.
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Leader, the
successful candidate is expected to lead and employ a balanced
basic and applied research programme based on the use of baiting
and male annihilation techniques, biopesticides, natural enemies
conservation and classical biological control methods and use of
soft pesticide for suppression of the target pests. In planning and
conducting basic and applied research targeted at fruit flies and
other tree crop pests, the successful candidate will also work as a
team member of a larger EU-funded Integrated Biological Control
Applied Research Programme (IBCARP) fruit fly and citrus IPM
project through regular monitoring of project performance. The
successful candidate will engage with relevant stakeholders in the
technical and operational design and implementation of the project,
and periodic reporting to the donor. The position also requires
cooperation with research personnel in complementary disciplines,
and NARS and fruit growers in several project countries. The
position will be based at icipe headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya but
with frequent travel to project action sites and target countries.
The position will be offered for an initial contract of 2 years,
which may be renewable subject to continued need and funding for
the position, and performance of the staff member. icipes
internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing
allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, childrens
education allowance, annual airfare for home leave, contribution to
a retirement plan, and relocation allowance.
Responsibilities:The successful candidate will be responsible
for the following key activities:
nn Lead the development of basic and applied research
contributing to the implementation of an IPM strategy for the
target tree crop pests;
nn In collaboration with partners in various project target
countries, develop and implement bioecological and management
studies for the tree crop pests;
nn Coordinate with other project scientists and articulate
biophysical and socio-economic information to enhance
decision-making that is relevant to the end-users;
RESEARCH SCIENTIST FRUIT FLY ECOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
nn Develop, test proof-of-concept and provide other novel tools
for managing pests of tree crops;nn Build capacity of national
institutions through the identification and mentoring of
project-supported
postdoctoral fellows and graduate students;nn Contribute to
fundraising and develop synergies with other projects to maximise
project impacts;nn Effectively communicate research results to
stakeholders through publications, presentations,
media and other outreach materials.
Knowledge and skills required for performing the jobThe suitable
candidate must possess the following:
nn Demonstrated ability to publish in high quality peer-reviewed
scientific journals;nn Outstanding oral and written communication
skills for effective interactions and dissemination of
programme information;nn Experience working with molecular tools
and/or geospatial analysis and GIS will be an added
advantage;nn Fluent in English - written and spoken.
Requirements/Qualificationsnn PhD degree preferably in
entomology or closely related field.nn Minimum of 5 years relevant
postdoctoral experience.nn Proven track record of R&D relating
to pests of tree crops, and in particular fruit flies, false
codling
moth and psyllids.nn Clear understanding of the challenges of
the horticulture industry in SSA and the role of improved
scientific knowledge to improve productivity.nn Demonstrated
experience in working and interacting effectively with a variety of
stakeholders
(farmers, extension workers, the public and private sector,
policy makers, national programmes). nn Previous working experience
in Africa preferred.
Other desirable attributesnn Demonstrated ability to collaborate
well across disciplines and with key partner institutions and
agencies;nn The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with
excellent interpersonal, management and organisational
skills.
ReportingThis position reports to the Programme Leader.
The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as
possible.
HOW TO APPLYThe position is available immediately. All
applications must arrive via email on or before the 20th June 2015.
Please quote the job reference number IRS/116/052015 on the email
subject line. Interested applicants should submit: (a) a
confidential cover letter, (b) detailed CV with names and addresses
of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers) and a
complete publications list, and (c) a statement of research
experience, interests and career goals, to:
[email protected] is an Equal Opportunity
Employer
