Background
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and other partner Universities and research institutions in Tanzania, in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) in Denmark is implementing a collaborative research project titled “Green Resources Innovations for Livelihood Improvement (GRILI)”. The project is supported by the Danish Development Agency (DANIDA) and its main objective is to contribute to the improvement of people’s livelihood through generation of scientific knowledge and commercialization of Green Resource Products (GRPs) in Tanzania. The Project will use two plant species, Synadenium glaucescens and Commiphora swynnertonii, as model plants for adding value and up-scaling technologies. Furthermore, these GRPs from the two plants will be used to establish simple analytical screening methods for assessment of quality and safety and as a background for establishing business models.
Call for Applications
We are pleased to announce a PhD scholarship call for applications within the field of phytochemistry specifically on identification and characterization of antimicrobial active ingredients from the two study plants selected by the project. The aim of the scholarship is to support higher education and training of Tanzanian scholars working or with potential to work in research and academic institutions. Selected PhD candidates will be registered as full time PhD students at SUA and will have an opportunity to take PhD level courses and specialized laboratory analysis and other types of training at Copenhagen University in Denmark. A candidate with proven laboratory and research experience with phytochemistry at MSc level will be preferred for this PhD position.
Eligibility
Holders of Msc in Phytochemistry, Natural products and Value addition (research focus in Phytochemistry), analytical chemistry, Pharmacy, traditional medicine or other equivalent Master’s degree with proven experience on phytochemistry research from a recognized University.
The candidate should be;
- Highly motivated to develop a scientific career and capability to complete PhD studies within 3 years.
- Intention to undertake research on Phytochemistry of GRPs in Tanzania
- Not already enrolled in a PhD programme and embarked in another research
- Willingness to work in a team and a strong ambition to accomplish the research goals of the project.
- Good academic records /transcripts with excellent communication skills.
- Good command of spoken and written English.
- Perspectives on future use of PhD skills for teaching, research and extension.
- Full time availability from November 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter for a period of 3 years.
- Ability to work with an interdisciplinary and multi-cultural research team
- To be prepared to travel within and outside the country.
- Proved analytical skills in Phytochemistry.
- Need for partial scholarship will be an added advantage.
How to apply
Potential applicants are hereby invited to submit the following: (i) motivation letter, (ii) curriculum vitae maximum two pages (including information on academic carrier and specialization and publications), (iii) academic transcripts and certificates, (iv) three names of academic referees whereby at least one of them being the immediate work supervisor, and a 2-3 pages concept note on one of topics listed above relevant to his/her application. The concept note should contain an outline of the problem statement and rationale for the proposed study, objectives, methodological approach and expected outputs. Applications MUST reach the DANIDA GRILI Project Coordinator by 9th November 2019. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for the interview (face to face or online) before the 13th of November and the final decision will be reached before 18th November 2019. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
The applications should be submitted electronically to: Dr. Faith P. Mabiki; E-mail: fmabiki@sua.ac.tz and copied to flufuo1@gmail.com
Responsibilities
The PhD fellows’ tasks will be to study and report on their selected research question within the context of this project depending on the area of research. The study being interconnected to other sub-studies in the project, will require intensive interaction with the programme leader, research collaborators, supervisors, and other PhD and MSc students. The progress of the PhD fellows’ work will be evaluated annually or as will be deemed necessary by the Supervisors and/ or the Project Coordinator. It is expected that the PhD fellow will publish three to four papers in International peer reviewed journals.
Financial matters
The scholarship will cover a monthly stipend and research costs based on successful deliverables.
Further Contacts
More information on the project can be obtained from:
Dr. Faith P. Mabiki
DANIDA GRILI Project Coordinator
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Solomon Mahlangu College of Science and Education
Sokoine University of Agriculture
P. O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 788924
Email: fmabiki@sua.ac.tz / fmabiki@gmail.com
