Closing date: 02 Jan 2026

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is offering one PhD research project on "Modelling agroecological innovation bundles and scaling pathways in East Africa" as part of the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS).

 

Summary of the project

This PhD study is part of the "Regional Multi-actor Research Networks on Agroecology” project (RMRN-EA), funded by the European Union.

 

Introduction

East African farming systems are facing increasing pressure from climate variability, declining soil fertility, pest outbreaks, and environmental degradation. Agroecological innovation bundles such as crop diversification, biological control, push–pull, organic soil amendments, pollinator habitat management, and integrated crop–livestock approaches offer promising pathways to improve resilience, productivity, and sustainability. However, the effectiveness of these bundles depends on complex interactions among ecological, socio-economic, behavioural, and climate-driven processes. Adoption and scaling are further constrained by system feedbacks, gender and youth disparities, economic viability, and systemic institutional thrust and biases. Traditional linear evaluation methods are insufficient to capture these interdependent dynamics. Systems thinking and system dynamics modelling provide a powerful approach to analyse these interactions, identify leverage points, and explore future scenarios. This PhD research will employ systems thinking to understand how agroecological innovation bundles perform within real farming contexts and how they might scale across the region.

The PhD Opportunity

The PhD research will focus on systems thinking and modelling of agroecological innovation bundles and their scaling within East African farming systems. Specifically, the candidate will examine how ecological, socio-economic, behavioural, and institutional drivers interact to shape the performance, adoption, and scaling potential of innovation bundles such as crop diversification, biological control, organic amendments, push–pull, pollinator habitat management, and integrated crop–livestock practices.

The successful candidate will work on:

• Identifying key ecological, socio-economic, and institutional factors influencing bundle effectiveness and adoption.
• Assessing how biophysical and climate-related processes affect system behaviour and innovations’ performance.
• Using systems thinking, participatory systems mapping, and system dynamics modelling to analyse interactions, feedback loops, synergies, and trade-offs.
• Conducting scenario analysis and scaling pathway assessments incorporating gender, economic, and governance dimensions.

The PhD candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team spanning agroecology, entomology, systems modelling, climate science, and community engagement. The position will be based at icipe’s Duduville Campus in Nairobi, with regular field visits to project sites and participation in the vibrant community of MSc and PhD scholars within the icipe Capacity Building Programme (https://www.icipe.org/capacity_building/grad).

This PhD presents a unique opportunity to contribute to systems-informed, scalable solutions for climate-resilient and sustainable agrifood transformations in East Africa.

Roles and Responsibilities

The candidate will:

• Lead participatory systems mapping activities with farmers, extension agents, and local institutions to co-develop causal loop diagrams representing agroecological innovation dynamics.
• Conduct field data collection and secondary data synthesis on biophysical, socio-economic, and climate factors influencing the performance of agroecological innovation bundles.
• Develop and refine system dynamics model to simulate system behaviour and assess interactions among ecological, economic, and social drivers.
• Carry out scenario analysis to identify leverage points, systemic bottlenecks, and optimal configurations of innovation bundles for improved performance.
• Undertake scaling pathway analysis, incorporating gender, economic, and institutional considerations to evaluate enabling and constraining factors for adoption and scaling.

Eligibility criteria

• The position is open to nationals of Tanzania or Uganda.
• Hold an MSc degree (obtained within the last five years) in Systems Science/Engineering, Computer Science (modelling focus), Applied Mathematics (with biological exposure), Agricultural Economics, Agroecology, Agronomy/Crop Science, Environmental Science/Ecological Modelling, or related field, with strong systems thinking skills.
• Have experience in agricultural field research, agroecology, or ecological monitoring.
• Be proficient in quantitative data analysis (R, Python, STATA).
• Have ability to integrate ecological, socio-economic, and institutional datasets.
• Be familiar with systems thinking and motivation to learn system dynamics modelling.
• Have experience working with smallholder farmers and conducting socio-economic surveys.
• Have excellent written and spoken English.
• Proven ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Candidates who are staff members of a public university or considered for university teaching/research staff recruitment are encouraged to apply.
• Qualified female candidates and candidates from underrepresented regions or those with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Benefits

The PhD project is fully funded for 3 years.

The fellowship covers:

• Research costs, including fieldwork and data collection expenses.
• Attractive and competitive stipend.
• Tuition fees for university registration.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and capacity-building workshops.
• Mentorship and training in scientific communication and grant writing.

 

How to apply

Applications will be accepted up to 2 January 2026. Applicants must submit the following documents online (email applications will not be accepted):

·       Completed application form, including a well-written abstract based on the research background (max. 750 words, excluding references) and a concept note (maximum 5 pages).

·       A concise letter of motivation, outlining your interest in the position, relevant experience, and willingness to commit full-time to the PhD training Programme. Include a link to a sample of academic writing (e.g., MSc thesis or publication).

·       A detailed CV (including academic background, field experience, and software skills; name, contact details, age, gender, and the names of at least two referees).

·       Certified copies of BSc and MSc certificates and transcripts.

Selection Process

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview and written assessment.
• Successful candidates will be required to develop a full research proposal and register with a university after commencing their PhD at icipe.
• For Questions and Further Information

For further inquiries about the PhD project, you may contact Dr. Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame (bsokame@icipe.org) and copying Dr. Frank Chidawanyika (fchidawanyika@icipe.org) and Dr. David Kupesa (dkupesa@icipe.org). If you have any questions regarding the ARPPIS Programme or your application, kindly contact Ms. Vivian Atieno, Capacity Building Officer, icipe. Email: vatieno@icipe.org  

Application Deadline: 2 January 2026