Call for Applications for PhD Scholarships – “Robusta Coffee Agroforestry to Adapt and Mitigate Climate Change in Uganda- ROBUSTA”

The European Union through its Programme known as “Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture”- DESIRA is supporting a consortium of 8 International and  National research organisations which include:- The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)-Kenya, The Institute of Research For Development (IRD)-France, Makerere University (MaK)-Uganda, The National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI)-of the National Agricultural Research Organisation Uganda (NARO), The National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI) of  NARO,  Strand Life Sciences Private Limited (Strand)-India,  and The Uganda Coffee Farmers Alliance Limited (UCFA)  to implement a research project in Uganda titled “Robusta coffee agroforestry to adapt and mitigate climate change in Uganda” with CIRAD as lead institution.

The overall project objective of the project is to support sustainable economic development of Uganda by promoting and improving the Robusta coffee agroforestry farming system. The specific objectives: (i) To design improved Robusta-coffee-based agroforestry systems for enhanced adaptation, mitigation and resilience capacity to buffer climate change impact. To be achieved through international scientific collaboration and participative approach, and (ii) Through partnership with local producers and multi-stakeholders’ interactions, to foster the adoption at all levels, from farm to development strategy designers, of C-Af as a means to counter climate change impact.

As part of the capacity building endeavour, the consortium is searching for qualified candidates to fill fourteen (14) vacant PhD positions within the project. The PhD research will fall within the broad field of evaluating, designing and promoting coffee agroforestry systems for adapting and mitigating climate change effects. In particular PhD research will cover among others (i) Soil and plant health studies seeking to improve the soil and climatic resilience of coffee small-holder farms and examine ways for taking advantage of Microbiota-mediated soil and plant health interaction in ecological intensification (diversification) of C-Af systems.  (ii) Selection and breeding for drought and heat resistance (ii) Pest and diseases (P&D) control in coffee agro-forestry systems (C-Af). The activity concentrates on major coffee pests and diseases in Uganda.

Required Academic qualifications

• Master’s degree as specified for each research topic above. Preferably obtained within the last 5 years.

Other requirements

• The preferred candidate is one available fulltime during the 4 years of the scholarship.
• The candidate should be 35 years or younger by the time of application
• Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application/Deadline for submission

• All applications should be delivered by 24^th.05.2022 to the following address:
• Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University. PO Box 7062, Kampala Uganda or via email to Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa ; skyamanywa@gmail.com with a copy to Ms Ruthie Mutyaba, ruthiemutyaba@gmail.com,
• Additional information may be obtained from Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa using the same address; Phone +256772220000.

Full call attached below.

Call for Applications for PhD Scholarship – “Robusta Coffee Agroforestry to Adapt and Mitigate Climate Change in Uganda- ROBUSTA” (1) FINAL