ICIPE Scientist - Nutritional Biology of Bees Jobs in Kenya

ICIPE Scientist - Nutritional Biology of Bees Jobs in Kenya


Title:

  • Scientist, Nutritional Biology of Bees

    Location:

  • Duduville, Nairobi

    Duration:

  • 3 years

    Preamble

    icipe seeks to recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Scientist, Nutritional Biology of Bees in the Environmental Health Theme.

    The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville Campus, and is available to commence immediately.

    The position will be offered for an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued project needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staff member.

    icipe—International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology—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 close to 500 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.

    In addition, 100–150 graduate students and a number of postdoctoral fellows contribute to icipe’s research portfolio annually.

    The position is tenable at the icipe Thomas Odhiambo Campus in Mbita, South Nyanza, and is available to commence immediately.

    The position will be offered for an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued project needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staff member.

    A competitive and generous compensation package that includes comprehensive health and life insurance cover (all payable in US Dollars) will be offered to the right candidate.

    Furthermore, the incumbent will receive paid
    annual vacation, return airfare for themselves and their dependents to their nominated home base each year, and duty-free privileges. If the successful candidate is appointed from outside Kenya, he or she will be offered
    support to relocate and settle in Mbita.

    Qualified candidates from Africa (and especially females) are invited to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

    Living in Nairobi and Mbita, Kenya Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, with a population of over three million, and hosts all the urban and social amenities and offers a comfortable, convenient and pleasurable life.

    A wide variety of excellent international schools and well-equipped medical facilities are open 24/7 in Nairobi.

    The city is also accessible by various reputable international airline carriers.

    Nairobi has a thriving international research scene, hosting various CGIAR centres and several UN agencies.

    Although it is important to be conscious of security, Kenyans are warm and welcoming of visitors.

    icipe Thomas Odhiambo Campus (ITOC) is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, with excellent housing facilities for staff and students.

    The Campus sits on 24.5 hectares of land, 40% of which consists of experimental
    fields and buildings with landscaped gardens.

    ITOC’s research structures include state-of-the-art laboratories and offices, as well as insect and animal rearing facilities. The Campus also hosts St. Jude’s Clinic, a kindergarten, primary school, and the Mbita Guest House.

    Overall purpose of the job

    Bees are an essential contributor to environmental equilibrium by providing the ecosystem service of pollination
    to crop and wild plants.

    icipe’s bee research strategy (2018–2023) aims to improve focus on four research
    topics:


  • Bee Health;
  • Symbionts;
  • Bee Nutrition;
  • Pollination. These topics were prioritised in consultation with a wide range of icipe partners.
    icipe’s research and development (R&D) efforts on bee research contribute to:

  • protecting and maintaining the abundance and diversity of bees and other insect pollinators;
  • ensuring the ecosystem service of pollination for improving food security and conserving wild plant diversity;
  • Investigating, understanding, monitoring, and improving the overall bee
    health status of managed and wild insectpollinators on the African continent;
  • improving the livelihoods of rural communities through dissemination of research results and developed technologies.
  • As part of this effort, icipe is seeking to recruit a Scientist to conduct innovative research on the nutritional biology of bees, including the aspects on feedback to physiology
    and health of bees that are relevant and strategic to icipe R&D.

  • Vacancy Announcement
  • (Ref. No. Irs/259/082018)
  • Scientist, Nutritional Biology of Bees

    Specific duties

    The successful candidate is expected to:

    Investigate:

  • the basic needs of bee pollinators with respect to their nutritional input for relevant macroand micronutrients;
  • The spatial and temporal distribution of available dietary sources for bee pollinators;
  • the effects of climate change and other changes of environmental conditions on the spatial and temporal availability of nutritional sources for bees;
  • How bees locate specific food sources within the environment by studying the cognitive abilities of bees and defining the role of colour and scent of flowers;
  • The effect of nutritional sources of varying quality on bee health at the individual and colony level;
  • The interaction between bee nutrition and the efficient delivery of ecosystem service of pollination.
  • Develop collaborative research networks for pollinator health and advocacy for pollinators;
  • Advise policy on thematic issues relating to conservation of pollinators and their habitats;
  • Mobilise resources (such as funding, human) to support research activities highlighted above and participate in fundraising opportunities with other scientists in the Bee Health team and the Environmental Health Theme;
  • Maintain a high level of scientific excellence through peer-reviewed publications commensurate with the position;
  • Manage, supervise and motivate programme staff and students to ensure innovation and the practice of good science that results in high-quality publications.

    Requirements/Qualifications

  • PhD degree in entomology, insect physiology or a related field, with special emphasis on bee/pollinator research and development.
  • At least 5 years postdoctoral research in entomology, insect physiology or a related field, with special emphasis on bee/pollinator research and development.
  • Experience in topical issues related to pollinator biology and nutritional ecology with relevant network and partnerships.
  • Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications and report writing.
  • Experience in mentoring post-graduate students and interns.
  • Proven track record of attracting donor support/grants writing.
  • Proven track record of project management.
  • Effective supervision of students and junior scientists.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to mentor junior scientists, technical staff and students.

    Core Competencies

  • In depth knowledge of bees and other pollinators, nutritional physiology, interaction of nutrition with physiology and bee health.
  • Good understanding of honey bee and stingless bee biology, physiology and ecology.
  • Knowledge of molecular biology and biochemistry techniques with advanced statistical skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in the field of insect ecology and physiology.

    Other desirable attributes

  • Ability to work under exacting field conditions.
  • Ability to work in a multi-cultural set up, in teams of scientists, technicians, students and beekeepers.
  • High degree of organisation, adaptability and prioritisation.

    Reporting

  • This position reports to the Head, Environmental Health Theme

    How to Apply

  • Applications will be accepted up to 2nd November 2018.
    Interested applicants should submit:
  • a confidential cover letter
  • detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers),
  • a statement illustrating suitability against the listed
    qualifications/competencies/abilities, and skills.
  • Candidates are required to apply online
  • icipe is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.
  • For more information and job application details, see; ICIPE Scientist - Nutritional Biology of Bees Jobs in Kenya

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