1. Background
Insect feed for poultry and fish production in Sub-Saharan Africa, INSFEED, is a project aiming at developing and/or adapting rearing and harvesting techniques of selected insect species, suitable for use as poultry and fish feed for small scale farming systems in Kenya and Uganda. This is to ensure that the selected insect species are safely and cost-effectively available in the quantities required to sustainably feed poultry and fish, while assuring quality with regard to nutrient content, microbial load and human toxic substances that could enter the food chain from rearing substrates. As a means of achieving its objectives, INSFEED-UGANDA would like to contribute to capacity building through recruiting a Masters Student in the area of Entomology. The student will work on “Establish rearing and harvesting techniques for selected insect species and optimizing production systems using locally available substrate”.
2. Research Institution
The Master’s student will study and carry out his/her research at Makerere University under the supervision of the Project’s Technical team members.
3. Duration
24 months with no possibility for Extension
4. Roles and Responsibilities
- Draw up a research wok plan in consultation with the supervisor(s)
- Complete and Submit a research proposal by the end of the first 3 months of recruitment
- Carry out research required to achieve the intended research objectives
- Keep relevant records of all aspects of the research work
- Meet regularly with the supervisor and give weight to any guidance or corrective action proposed, keeping a written record of discussions where appropriate
- Reflect and report on the progress of work at the end of each month
- Write a complete research report (MSc. Thesis) within the stipulated time as per the demands of the academic institution
- Write publishable manuscripts from the research
- Take ultimate responsibility of his/her academic programme as stipulated by the degree awarding institution.
- Attend all meetings organised by the INSFEED project as and when required
- Inform the supervisor(s) in case of absence from research activities for example in the case of illness
- Perform any other research task as may be required by the supervisor (s)
5. Reporting
The student shall report to the immediate supervisor and when necessary, to the PI of the INSFEED project
6.0 Qualifications and Skills
- Should have a first class or second upper bachelor’s degree in either BSc Agriculture or BSc. Zoology.
- Should:-
- Meet the requirements of admission to Makerere University for a Masters in Science program.
- Have a minimum of 1 year of related research experience.
- Have good communication and writing skills.
- Have a positive attitude and a strong commitment to research.
NB: Having successfully completed the first year in any of the specified areas is an added advantage.
7.0 Entitlements and Remuneration
- Tuition and function fees
- Financial and material research requirements
- A performance based monthly stipend
8.0 Application procedure
- Interested applicants with the above requirements (section 6.0) should submit one soft copy (PDF format) and one hard copy of their applications enclosed with:-
- Photocopies of the relevant academic documents
- A Motivation letter/statement (Maximum of 2 pages)
- Two recommendation letters
- Applications should be addressed to:
Professor Samuel Kyamnywa
Department of Agricultural Production
School of Agricultural Sciences
Makerere University,
P.O. Box 7062,
Kampala Uganda.
- Applications in both soft and hard copy should be E-mailed and delivered in person, not later than 06th/February/2015 at 5:00PM, to;
Geoffrey Ssepuuya
INSFEED Project Assistant
Department of Food Technology & Nutrition,
School of Food Technology, Nutrition & Bio-Engineering,
Phone contact: +256 783-451770
(Please call the number above for easy delivery of your application)
- No applications shall be received beyond the stipulated time.
- Any inquiries should be made to the Project Assistant using the above contacts (8, iii)
NB: FEMALE students are strongly encouraged to apply.