2016 PhD and MSc Partial scholarships

Background 

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) in collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) is implementing a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project “African Chicken Genetic Gain” (ACGG) intends to test genetically improved and adapted chickens strains both on-station and in five Tanzania agro-ecological zones. 

The project will work to achieve all of the following: 

Data-driven and culturally relevant understanding of the types of chickens poor farmers, especially women prefers 

• A productive multi-country network of public-private partnerships for long-term chicken genetic improvement that employs modern tools to drive accelerated genetic gains and to deliver more productive, farmer-preferred breeds 
• Smallholders access to their preferred more productive breeds 
• Evidence that adoption of the improved chicken genotypes indeed leads to significantly increased production, productivity, income, and household consumption of animal-source foods among smallholders 
• Evidence of increased empowerment of women smallholder farmers in chicken value chains 

Within this project, exciting PhD and MSc positions are available for Tanzania nationals at Sokoine University of Agriculture. The candidate should be registered at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro (http://www.suanet.ac.tz/). 

Required competences 

• Master a degree in socio or natural sciences and honor degree in similar disciplines for PhD and MSc respectively 
• Candidates must satisfy SUA admission requirements for MSc or PhD studies. 
• Candidates must have identified a supervisory Professor (for PhD) who must have agreed to the research proposal written by the applicant.  Excellent skills in oral and written communications (English) 
• Great interest in working with an interdisciplinary and international team 
• Willingness to travel and work in the field for extended periods 

What the research project offers: 

As part of its human capacity building component, the project is offering up to ten (10) MSc and seven (5) PhD scholarships at Sokoine university for a period of 4 years (2016-2019). Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. 

Note that scholarships will only support research costs (on station, field expenses and travel allowances). The prospective candidate is expected to seek for additional funding from other sources to cover for the university fee, tuition fees, travel costs, stipend and insurance. 

Formal inquiries should be directed to Dr. Mbaga S.H : Sokoine University of Agriculture: Mobile +255 784 521 628: E-mail; mbagash@ yahoo.com; mbagash@suenet.ac.tz 

For further information about the project visit: www.africacgg.net