Closing date: 30 Apr 2024

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is offering one PhD research project working on ‘Ecology of Tunga penetrans in Kenya’ in the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS).

The PhD project is funded through a research grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Summary of the project

Tungiasis is a highly neglected tropical skin disease that is caused by the sand flea, Tunga penetrans. The flea itself has received little to no attention from entomologists during the last 40 years, resulting in a poor understanding of the life cycle. Tungiasis is most prevalent among children under 15 years, older adults, and the disabled in resource-poor communities. However, the disease has a very heterogeneous distribution in endemic countries, both spatially as well as temporally which is yet poorly understood, due to the limited amount of research data and absence of national surveillance in affected countries. We are consequently keen to investigate the transmission dynamics of T. penetrans with a focus on the assessment of environmental and behavioural determinants of T. penetrans at household levels in the affected endemic communities in Kenya using mixed method approaches developed by members of the scientific project team.

This project aims to improve our understanding of the complex ecology of tungiasis to gain a better understanding of the developmental biology of Tunga penetrans. The seasonal occurrence, distribution, and developmental conditions of Tunga off-host stages are a major focus of this project. The development and implementation of robust bioassays in the laboratory will be complemented with field surveys screening soil samples for insects and chemical and physical properties and observing people’s behaviour in affected and unaffected households in Western and Coastal Kenya. This also includes the investigation of the role of animals in disease transmission. Entomological samples will be further analysed using various molecular techniques to contribute to research questions around environmental stress and exposure to insect growth regulators on gene expression in larvae and adult Tunga. The PhD student will be part of a larger team working on interlinked aspects of the disease ecology using a variety of quantitative, qualitative, and molecular tools and hence teamwork is a major requirement for the project.

Eligibility criteria 

• Only Kenyan applicants are eligible, with preference given to qualified female candidates and those from less privileged regions or groups.
• Applicants should have an excellent master’s degree in medical entomology or related subjects.
• Proficiency in molecular entomology tools (DNA and RNA isolation, real-time PCR, sequencing) and good laboratory practices is required.
• Strong understanding of study design and statistical analysis.
• Candidates must enjoy long hours of fieldwork and able to build good rapport with local communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate research findings, prepare detailed reports.
• Willingness to commit full-time to his/her PhD training programme.
• The Master’s degree must have been completed less than six years ago at the time of application.
• Candidates who are staff members of a public university, or considered for university teaching or research staff recruitment, are encouraged to apply.
• Qualified female candidates and candidates from less privileged regions or groups as well as candidates with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

The PhD position is based at icipe’s Thomas Odhiambo Campus at Mbita, Homa Bay County, South Nyanza, Kenya but with extended periods in the field in western and coastal areas. 

PhD project duration, supervision, and costs

• The duration of the PhD project is (3) years and will start in June 2024.
• The student will be jointly supervised by scientists from icipe, Aga Khan University, and University of Berlin, Germany.
• The student will be registered at the Free University Berlin.
• The scholarships will cover all costs of the PhD programme, including travel, living expenses, medical insurance, university fees and all research and training costs.

How to apply

Applications will be accepted up to 30^th April 2024.

• Fill in the application form that requires a well-written abstract based on the above background information (max 750 words, excluding references).
• A concise letter of motivation (including statistical software package for data analysis).
• A detailed CV (name, contact details, age, and gender), the names of at least 3 relevant referees.
• Copies of BSc and MSc diplomas and transcripts indicating all courses and obtained degrees.
• Do not submit your application by email. Only applications and supporting documents submitted online will be accepted.
• Applications submitted by email will be rejected.

Please note that: -

• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• Short-listed candidates are subject to an interview and written assessment.
• Successful candidates will develop a full proposal and register with the university after they commence their PhD programme at icipe.

 

Timeline

Closing date for applications 30^th April 2024.

 

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the ARPPIS PhD Programme or your application to icipe, kindly contact Ms. Vivian Atieno, Capacity Building Officer, icipe. Email: vatieno@icipe.org