Closing date: 10 May 2025

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is offering one PhD research project working on ‘assessing the economic benefits, resilience to shocks, and market demand for agroecological farming in East Africa’in the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS).

 

The PhD project is part of the Regional Multi-Actor Research Network on Agroecology in East Africa (RMRN-EA), a project funded by the European Commission.

Summary of the project

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), in collaboration with regional and international partners, invites applications for a PhD position in agroecological farming, socioeconomics, and environmental research. The project aims to support the transformation of agri-food systems in East Africa through research, policy engagement, and participatory development and validation of agroecological innovations.

 

Agricultural systems in East Africa face significant challenges, including climate change, land degradation, low productivity, and limited policy support for sustainable food systems. The RMRN-EA project addresses these issues by establishing a research network that promotes the co-creation and scaling of agroecological innovations. The selected PhD candidate will assess the economic benefits, resilience to shocks, and market demand for agroecological farming in East Africa.

Research Focus

The PhD candidate will work on the following key research themes:

1. Economic evaluation of agroecological innovation bundles for adoption and scaling
   Conduct a systematic review on the impacts and adoption of agroecological bundle practices and innovations
   Conduct participatory assessments to inventory agroecological practices and identify the needs of crop and livestock systems across different agroecological zones.
   Assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards challenges to be addressed by agroecological innovations and agroecological innovations and identify socioeconomic barriers to adoption.
   Conduct adoption and impact assessment and cost-benefit analysis of agroecological bundle innovations on productivity and dietary diversity
    
2. Agroecology and resilience to shocks
   Evaluating how bundles of agroecological practices reduce production risks, and estimate the insurance or risk premium of agroecological practices
    
3. Market innovations & agroecological business models
   Exploring consumer willingness to pay for agroecological products, including the potential for certifications, niche markets, and branding.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct field research using qualitative and quantitative participatory methods.
• Implement KAP surveys and socioeconomic impact assessments on agroecological innovations.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.
• Contribute to capacity-building activities and policy engagement initiatives.

 

Eligibility criteria

1. A candidate from sub-Saharan Africa.
2. A Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Statistics and Development, Modelling, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Rural Sociology, or a related field.
3. A strong research background in agroecology, agricultural policy analysis, or rural development.
4. Experience with participatory research methods, stakeholder engagement, and fieldwork.
5. Proficiency in statistical and data analysis software such as STATA, R, or NVivo.
6. Willingness to conduct extensive fieldwork in East Africa
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate research findings, and prepare detailed reports in English.
8. Willingness to commit full-time to his/her PhD training programme.
9. 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.

Desirable Qualifications

1. At least one paper published in mainstream economics journals
2. Familiarity with gender-responsive research methodologies and participatory action research.
3. Previous experience in policy research and modelling.
4. Strong analytical skills in socioeconomic and environmental assessments.
5. Knowledge on machine learning and Artificial intelligence

 

The PhD position is based at icipe’s Duduville Campus in Nairobi, Kenya but with extended periods in the field.

 

PhD Project Duration, Supervision, and Funding

The PhD student will receive joint supervision from university professors and senior researchers from the RMRN-EA project consortium, ensuring interdisciplinary guidance and expertise.

The fellowship provides full financial support, covering tuition fees, research expenses, living allowances, visa and office costs, education-related expenses, international and regional travel, as well as supervisory visits.

 

Only candidates who will be enrolled in PhD programmes (Development / Agricultural /Resource / Environmental Economics or related fields) that do not require coursework, or who have already completed the required coursework with a strong academic record, are eligible for consideration.
The PhD programme is structured as a three-year research training initiative, commencing in July 2025 and concluding in June 2028, with progress evaluated through clearly defined milestones. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews by 15 June 2025. 

PhD Fellowship and Benefits

The fellowship covers:

1. Registration fees.
2. Research costs, including fieldwork and data collection expenses.
3. Stipend.
4. Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and capacity-building workshops.
5. Mentorship and training in scientific communication and grant writing.

 

How to apply

• Applications will be accepted up to 10^th May 2024.
• Fill in the application form that requires a well-written abstract based on the above background information (max 750 words, excluding references).
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) including academic qualifications and professional experiences.
• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) outlining research interests, academic background, and career aspirations.
• A research proposal (max. 3 pages) aligned with the thematic areas of the PhD.
• Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates.
• Contact details of at least two referees (preferably academic supervisors or research mentors).
• 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.

Timeline

Closing date for applications is 10^th May 2025.

Questions

For further inquiries about the PhD project, please contact Dr. Kibrom Sibhatu (ksibhatu@icipe.org) with a copy to Dr Frank Chidawanyika (fchidawanyika@icipe.org).

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