PhD Scholarship at University of Makerere and University of Dar es Salaam , 2014/2015

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR PhD STUDIES TENABLE AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY (UGANDA) AND UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM (TANZANIA) 2014/2015 ACADEMIC YEAR

Makerere University, in conjunction with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM,) is undertaking a Capacity Building Project on REDD+. The project is supported by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) under the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED).

The goal of the project is to contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved ecosystem health for sustainable livelihoods in Eastern Africa. The intended outcome is to strengthen capacity of Central 
Government, Local Government, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and community institutions to plan and implement Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, ‘plus’ conservation of forests, sustainable management of forests for enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+). The specific objectives are to strengthen the capacity for education and research on climate change and REDD+ at Makerere University and University of Dar es Salaam through strengthened scientific and institutional capacity to deliver better quality education and research on REDD+.

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda and the Centre for Climate Change Studies (CCCS), University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania are now accepting scholarship applications for PhD studies tenable at Makerere University (Uganda) and University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Seven positions are tenable this year; four (4) in DEM and three (3) at CCCS. The fellowship will cover tuition, a modest stipend and field costs.
Interested applicants should write a concept proposal on any of the following themes:

1. Payment for Ecosystem Services in the context of REDD+.
2. Cost-benefit analysis of REDD+ .
3. Key drivers of forest cover change.
4. Uptake of mitigation measures towards reduction of carbon emissions.
5. Carbon markets and REDD+ financing mechanism.
6. Ecosystem services, such a pollination, under REDD+.
7. Carbon sequestration and biodiversity in different ecosystems in east Africa.
8. Vegetation dynamics in a changing climate.
9. International debates/politics and their implications on REDD+.
10. Land/Forest/Carbon tenure issues in the context of REDD+.
11. Implications of economic policy on implementation of REDD+.
12. Legal and institutional framework related to REDD+.
13. Performance of previous REDD+ and allied projects.
14. Approaches for forest monitoring, measurement, reporting and verification.
15. Implications of agricultural intensification on forest conservation.
16. Reward/penalty systems on behavioural change in relation to REDD+ policy implementation.

Eligibility

1. Staff of Makerere University and University of Dar es Salaam.
2. A Master degree in any one of the following disciplines: natural sciences, environmental science, economics, social sciences and law.
3. Highly motivated to develop a scientific career.
4. Good scientific writing skills.
5. Good methodological background in relevant scientific disciplines.

The applicant should be aged no more than 45 years at the time of application. Note that applicants should register at their home institutions.

How to apply

Potential applicants are invited to write a 3-page concept note on any one or a combination of the above themes and forward them to Prof. Tabuti (E-mail: jtabuti@muienr.mak.ac.ug) and Ms. Nyamukuru (E-mail: nyamukuru@gmail.com) for Makerere University; Prof. Pius Z. Yanda (E- mail: pyanda@gmail.com) and Mrs. Neema G. Mshigeni (E-mail: neemamshigeni@yahoo.com) for University of Dar es Salaam by 29th April 2014.

The concept note should contain an outline of the rationale for the proposed study, a list of research questions or hypotheses, and outline of proposed methodological approach, a time schedule, and a list of expected outputs. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

NOTE: Applicants should submit application letter, CV and academic transcripts.