ICIPE Senior Scientist - Pollination Biology of Bees Jobs in Kenya

ICIPE Senior Scientist - Pollination Biology of Bees Jobs in Kenya


Title:

  • Senior Scientist, Pollination Biology of Bees

    Location:

  • Duduville Campus, Nairobi

    Duration:

  • 3 years

    Preamble

    icipe seeks to recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Senior Scientist –Pollination Biology of Bees in the Environmental Health Theme

    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 developing the overall bee health status of managed and wild insect pollinators
    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 Senior
    Scientist to work on Pollination Biology of Bees.
  • He/she will conduct innovative research in pollination biology of honey bees and other
    pollinators, including the aspects of ecology and ecosystem services that are relevant and strategic to icipe’s R&D.

  • Vacancy Announcement
  • (Ref. No. Irs/257/082018)
  • Senior Scientist, Pollination Biology
    Of Bees

    Specific duties

    The successful candidate is expected to:

    Investigate the:

  • status of pollination deficits for essential crop plants, their wild relatives and other plants of economic importance as relevant to ecosystem functioning;
  • primary threats to pollinators in agricultural landscapes and different habitats with respect to land use/cover pattern and use of agrochemicals;
  • basic needs of pollinators with respect to habitats for nesting and healthy and balanced nutrition, as well as their diversity and abundance in relation to efficacy of pollination services within a landscape context;
  • mechanisms to mitigate pollination deficits through habitat management technologies or using supplementation of environments with managed pollinators and assessing the effectiveness of methods through measurement of yields and other environmental variables;
  • Establish research activities in close collaboration with beneficiaries using a participatory on-farm approach;
  • Integrate research results into outreach activities and capacity building targeting different types of stakeholders, including rural farmers and their communities;
  • Develop collaborative research networks for pollinator health and advocacy for pollinators;
  • Advise policy on thematic issues relating to conservation of pollinators;
  • Mobilise resources (such as funds, human) to support R&D activities highlighted above and participate in fundraising opportunities with other scientists in the Bee Health team and the Environmental Health Theme, and contribute to the One Health concept;
  • 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, ecology or a related field, with special emphasis on bee/pollinator research and development.
  • At least 7 years postdoctoral research in entomology, ecology or a related field, with special emphasis on bee/pollinator research and development.
  • Experience in topical issues of pollinator biology, ecology and delivery of ecosystem services.
  • Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications and report writing.
  • Experience in mentoring junior scientists, post-graduate students and interns.
  • Proven track record of attracting donor support/grant writing.
  • Proven track record of project management.

    Core Competencies

  • In depth knowledge of bees and other pollinators, pollination biology, pollination deficits and delivery of ecosystem services.
  • Good understanding of honey bee and stingless bee biology and ecology.
  • Basic molecular biology techniques and skills in statistical data analysis.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in the field of insect ecology.
  • Effective supervision of students and junior scientists.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to mentor junior scientists, technical staff and students.

    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.

    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 Senior Scientist - Pollination Biology of Bees Jobs in Kenya

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