Graduate Student (PhD) Position

Topic: Comparative evaluation of changes in tritrophic interactions
among key crucifer pests and their natural enemies along altitudinal gradient
in Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and the Taita Hills, Kenya

icipe is an intergovernmental organisation funded by government aid agencies,
UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in
environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improved
health and agricultural productivity in the tropics.

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building
programmes, located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.



Ph.D Topic: “Comparative evaluation of changes in tritrophic interactions
among key crucifer pests and their natural enemies along altitudinal gradient
in Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and the Taita Hills, Kenya”

Objectives:



Baseline
seasonality surveys on population dynamics of key crucifer pests and their
natural enemies in cabbage and kale production regions across altitudinal
gradients of the Taita Hills and Mt. Kilimanjaro
Establish
temperature dependent life-tables for key pests of crucifers such as
diamondback moths and their natural enemies raised on cabbage and kale
Establish
and validate phenological models based on temperature dependent life-table
datasets for the key pests and their natural enemies using the past,
present and predicted climate change scenarios in Mt. Kilimanjaro and the
Taita Hills
Refine
the models by including other spatial data layers such as land cover
changes, precipitation and humidity
Elucidate
the changes in the tritrophic interaction among key crucifer pests, their
host plants and natural enemies and predict future scenarios of
synchrony/asynchrony


Crops: Cabbage and Kale

Pests: Diamondback moth, Thrips tabaci

Natural enemies: Diadegma semiclausum and Cotesia plutellae

Qualifications for the position

This doctoral fellowship is expected to run from 2012 to 2014 and is tenable at
icipe.

The successful candidate selected out of a competitive process will begin
her/his training any time from January 2012.

Specific Qualifications:

The applicant must have BSc and MSc degrees with a minimum award of upper 2nd
class degree or equivalent in Entomology or Horticulture or Crop protection
sciences or agricultural agronomy

Should be a Tanzanian

Maximum age of 36 for men and 40 for women years at the time of application
[Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply].

Eligible for registration in one of the ARPPIS member universities (visit the
icipe website: icipe website or ARPPIS website: ARPPIS website for a
comprehensive list of ARPPIS member universities)

Application Requisites:

Interested applicants are required to submit the following documents:


Current
Curriculum Vitae
Two
letters of reference
Certified
copies of academic certificates and transcripts of degree courses taken;
A
Letter of nomination for training by the employer a must
A
one-page write-up on Why you think you are the right candidate for this
position

Send application documents by email to Peris
Machera ( pmachera@icipe.org) with a Subject line: Crucifer Pests PhD
Application

Candidates who fail to comply with ALL the qualification requirements will not
be considered.

Applications will be accepted up to 18 November 2011.

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer


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