Closing date: 24 Oct 2023

Background

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is offering one MSc research project working on ‘Assessment of fall armyworm parasitoid performance and spread in Uganda’. 

Several parasitoids across Africa have formed new associations with the invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. Through the project ‘Agro-ecological innovations for smallholder pest management Malawi, Uganda and Zambia (EcoPM)’, funded by BMZ through the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Food Industry (i4Ag) fund, two parasitoids (Cotesia icipe and Telonomus remus) are being mass produced at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) for release at selected sites in Northern and Eastern Uganda. The student will assess the establishment and spread of the parasitoids over time; and link parasitoid performance with fall armyworm population densities, and maize damage and yield, during at least one cropping season, across different agro-ecologies in Uganda.

The scholarship is fully funded for 1 year, during which the student will conduct field work in Uganda and be trained at the icipe campus in Nairobi, Kenya.  

Eligibility criteria 

• Ugandan national
• Completed a Bachelor’s degree in entomology or related field 
• Knowledge of IPM is considered a strong asset
• Already registered for MSc in a recognized University 
• Completed course work/year one of study, awaiting research 

Application form

Click here to download the application form. Once filled out, click on the 'APPLY' link to submit it along with the other required documents.

Timeline

Timeline Closing date for applications 15th October 2023. Successful candidates will be notified by November 2023.

Questions

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