Closing date: 30 Sep 2024

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is offering one MSc research project: ‘Evaluate mealworm and spirulina-based feeds for poultry production.

 Background

The poultry industry faces increasing pressure to find sustainable and economical feed solutions amidst rising global meat demand and environmental concerns. Mealworms and spirulina, recognized for their rich nutrient profiles, present viable alternatives to conventional animal feed ingredients. These feed sources promise to lower reliance on traditional protein sources, which are both costly and ecologically demanding, and support the rising consumer preference for naturally derived and sustainable food products. Integrating such alternatives could revolutionize poultry nutrition by enhancing feed efficiency and reducing the sector's environmental impact. Although mealworms and spirulina are known for their nutritional richness, their integration into poultry feed regimes remains nascent, with limited large-scale application or validation under diverse agricultural settings. Critical gaps exist in understanding how these alternative feeds affect various aspects of poultry production, including growth metrics, immune response, adaptability across different poultry breeds, and the quality attributes of the meat produced. This lack of detailed, system-wide data constrains their adoption and limits the ability to tailor these feeds for optimal performance in commercial poultry operations. This study will evaluate the impact of substituting traditional protein feed ingredients with mealworm and spirulina on layer chickens. It will assess key growth performance indicators along with health parameters, including disease incidence and the overall well-being of the chickens. Additionally, the research will analyze the nutritional quality of eggs and meat from chickens fed these alternative diets. Finally, the study will conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the economic feasibility of integrating mealworm and spirulina-based feeds into conventional poultry production systems, assessing potential cost savings and productivity enhancements. This study is essential for determining the viability of mealworm and spirulina-based feeds in poultry production. By evaluating their impact on bird growth rates, health, feed conversion ratios, and overall meat quality, this research aims to provide empirical data that could lead to broader acceptance and use of these sustainable feed sources. Furthermore, successfully integrating mealworm and spirulina into poultry diets could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of poultry farming, thereby supporting more sustainable agricultural practices. A highly motivated candidate will be engaged to carry out this study in 12 months.

 The successful candidate is expected to undertake a comprehensive literature review and develop a concept/proposal for the study, conduct data curation and analysis, write a report, a thesis, and at least one manuscript, and communicate research findings to the project partners and other stakeholders.

Eligibility criteria

• Should be a national of an African country.
• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Poultry Science, Agriculture, Nutrition, or a related field.
• MUST already have registered in a university Pursuing MSc. in any of the programs above and completed and passed coursework before commencing the research study.
• The MSc student will be engaged for 12 months and will be supported with research funds (Note: The project does not provide funds for tuition fees).
• Experience in animal or poultry nutrition studies preferred.
• Familiarity with experimental design, data collection, and data analysis
• Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques for nutritional content analysis and animal health assessments.
• Experience with biochemical analyses is advantageous
• Strong statistical analysis skills with proficiency in SPSS, R, Python software, etc.
• Ability to interpret data effectively and draw meaningful conclusions
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and resolve issues within the context of animal nutrition and feed trials
• Capability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively in a team, contributing effectively to group objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documenting research findings and presenting at conferences
• 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 MSc position is based in Kenya. 

How to apply

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

1. Fill in the application form.
2. A concise letter of motivation.
3. A detailed CV (name, contact details, age, and gender), the names of at least 3 relevant referees.
4. Copies of BSc and MSc diplomas and transcripts indicating all courses and obtained degrees.
5. Do not submit your application by email. Only applications and supporting documents submitted online will be accepted.
6. Applications submitted by email will be rejected.

Please note that: -

1.        Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

2.        Short-listed candidates are subject to an interview/written assessment.

 Timeline

Closing date for applications 30^th September 2024.

 Questions

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