icipe Graduate Student (PhD) Career Opportunity - Comparative evaluation of changes in tritrophic interactions

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. KilimanjaroEstablish temperature dependent life-tables for key pests of crucifers such as diamondback moths and their natural enemies raised on cabbage and kaleEstablish 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 HillsRefine the models by including other spatial data layers such as land cover changes, precipitation and humidityElucidate the changes in the tritrophic interaction among key crucifer pests, their host plants and natural enemies and predict future scenarios of synchrony/asynchronyCrops: 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 VitaeTwo letters of referenceCertified copies of academic certificates and transcripts of degree courses taken;A Letter of nomination for training by the employer a mustA one-page write-up on Why you think you are the right candidate for this positionSend 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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