PhD Opportunities: Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD) 2018/2019

We are inviting applications for PhD studies by research at Sokoine University of Agriculture partially funded by the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD)  in the academic year 2018/2019. 

The ideal potential candidate should be  highly motivated to conduct research on a selected subject on rodents in Africa. Potential candidates should hold a Master degree either in the natural sciences, Medicine or Veterinary Medicine. The subjects under consideration shall include, but not exclusive of any other that the candidate may choose which is relevant to the ACE  IRPM&BTD core activities:

  1. Taxonomy
  2. Modeling population dynamics
  3. Ecology and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases involving rodents
  4. Fertility control to prevent rodent outbreaks
  5. Breeding, reproductive biology and behavior of African Giant Pouched Rats, Cricetomys gambianus
  6. Population and community ecology of rodents in selected biotopes and agro-ecological zones in Eastern and southern Africa 
  7. Innovative rodent pest management technologies which are ecologically –based
  8. Ecological, behavioural and evolutionary aspects of rodent-parasite interactions

Below are some of the researchable topics to guide applicants:

  1. Ecology of Rodents and their flea ectoparasites in the plague outbreaks districts of the Rift Valley, Tanzania
  2. Plague endemicity in the highland areas of Kilimanjaro
  3. Diversity and ecology of rodents in Tanzanian highland and lowland forests  (Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, Uluguru mts, Hanang Mts, Rungwe etc.) 
  4. Ecology of mole rats in natural landscape and agricultural land in Tanzania 
  5. Community ecology of rodents in the Great Lakes agro-ecosystem, Tanzania
  6. Rodent outbreaks in Southern Tanzania: What are the driving forces?
  7. Arenavirus infections in rodents: Molecular characterization, host specificity and distribution
  8. The dynamics of infections by Toxoplasmosis and leprospirosis in rodent communities in Central Tanzania. 
  9. Cyto-taxonomy of rodents in the Central Tanzania corridor (Dodoma, Singida and Tabora)
  10. The rodent and shrew species distribution paradox on Africa’s highest Mountain- Kilimanjaro 
  11. Systematics and biogeography of rodent species in the highland areas of Tanzania (Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt Rungwe, Mt Meru, Hanang) 
  12. Long term regulation of rodent population outbreaks with synthetic fertility control hormones. 
  13. Design of and assessment of the effectiveness of ecologically based rodent pest management against the multimammate rats, Mastomys natalensis in agro-ecossytems

To  note that the ACE IRPM&BTD is mainly a basic and applied research oriented centre and therefore encourages experimental approach with sound hypotheses in studies being undertaken.

Concept note:
Applicants SHOULD include a 2 page concept note in their application to include the subject, justification for the study, methodology and how the anticipated results would contribute to better understanding of rodent communities, management of pest species and the potential contribution to science.

The ACE IRPM &BTD will provide FULL OR PARTIAL SUPPORT to the PhD candidates.  The partial supported Candidates will  be expected to cover the accommodation  and living costs during the entire study period. THE ACE IRPM will cover the registration fee payable to SUA and all the research costs associated with the candidate’s study. This may include air travel and living costs in another country in case the candidate will be required to study for a short period in a specialized laboratory outside Tanzania. 

Gender equity:
ACE IRPM &BTD realizes the importance of equity in gender and therefore encourages female candidates to apply for these positions. 

Application procedures: 
Applicants should follow the Postgraduate students’ application procedures available at:
Applicants should forward their application documents to

Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Technology Transfer and Consultancy.
Sokoine University of Agriculture, MOROGORO, TANZANIA

Applications and accompanying documents should also be copied to: 
The Centre Leader
Sokoine University of Agriculture
P.O. Box 3110, Morogoro, TANZANIA

Successful candidates shall be supervised by highly qualified professors and subject specialists from within and outside Tanzania as may be deemed necessary.

Deadline for applications
Suitable candidates should ensure applications reach the above offices by end of 30th August 2018 to facilitate registration by 1st October 2018.
Candidates who require release permission from their employers should initiate the process soonest to ensure their registration at SUA becomes effective on 1st October 2018.

Deputy Centre Leader,
Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development,
Sokoine University of Agriculture,


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