Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Integrated Use of Tsetse Repellents in “Push-Pull” Strategies

Vacancy Announcement (Ref No. IRS/106/042015)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Integrated Use of Tsetse Repellents in “Push-Pull” Strategies

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 450 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 Africa’s biological research capacity. The Centre’s research activities span the African continent with partnerships linking research organisations not only across Africa but also the globe.

icipe wishes to recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Integrated Use of Tsetse Repellents in “Push-Pull” Strategies in the EU-Funded Integrated Biological Control Applied Research Programme (IBCARP), Animal Health Division.

The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville Campus and is available to commence immediately. This is a two-year contract, with a possibility of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract.

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Overall purpose of the job

The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team to undertake research in the development/optimisation of repellents as part of an integrated strategy for innovative control of vectors of trypanosomiasis.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Conduct research on the development/optimisation of effective barriers incorporating repellents with other tsetse control tactics (in push–pull strategies) to stop tsetse flies reinvading areas where they have been controlled;

Assist in identifying constraints and provide detailed feedback for further optimisation of repellent technology as an integrated tsetse and trypanosomiasis control strategy;

Assist in awareness creation of the repellent technology and in providing scientific backstopping and quality control to agricultural development programmes;

Prepare high quality field reports and assist the PI to revise work plans as appropriate to meet changing challenges, needs and requirements in the field;

Maintain an active research portfolio including publishing in peer reviewed international journals;

Develop and maintain effective collaborations with internal and external research partners.

Knowledge and skills required for performing the job

Experience working on ecology of arthropods/disease vectors preferably with field experience with tsetse flies.

Experience working with tsetse under field conditions would be a distinct advantage.

Must have ability to generate additional funds for relevant research.

Requirements/Qualifications

PhD in ecology/entomology.

Other desirable attributes

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team and collaborate with different R&D actors.

Ability to mentor technical staff and students.

Ability to undertake capacity building at all levels.

Excellent reporting and communication skills.

Excellent computer literacy skills.

Reporting

This position reports to the Principal Investigator. The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.

How to Apply:

All applications must arrive via email on or before 15th July 2015, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier. Please quote the job reference number IRS/106/042015 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: postdoctsetserepellents@icipe.org

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer