MSc Positions On Pollination Biology
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR TWO MSc POSITIONS ON POLLINATION BIOLOGY
PROJECT: APPLICATION OF INFORMATICS & ECOLOGICAL TOOLS TO DESCRIBE BEE POLLINATOR DIVERSITY & DISTRIBUTION IN UGANDA
BACKGROUND
Pollination is a natural process that enables the production of food for people and wildlife and, contributes to the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems. Over the last ten years there has been a worldwide concern about the plight of insect pollinator communities – species composition, their numbers and distribution. In several regions of the world, there are recognised declines in pollinator populations raising concerns that these declines could be accompanied by adverse effects on the production of pollinator-dependent food crops. The situation for Uganda remains unclear. This project aims to generate knowledge about Uganda’s bee populations in agricultural areas and process this knowledge to answer questions posed by diverse stakeholders.
Applications are invited from interested and qualified candidates to undertake one of two MSc scholarships:
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a) Diversity and distribution of bee pollinators in central Uganda
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b) Contribution of insect pollinators to the production of two commercial crops
These scholarships are tenable from semester II of the academic year 2019/2020 to 31st July 2021 (end of semester II of 2020/2021). Thus, applicants for both scholarships must already be enrolled on an MSc programme (evidenced by admission letters from Makerere University) and available for project activities from January 2021.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS An applicant MUST:
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Hold at least an honours B.Sc. degree in Zoology and Botany, or Agriculture or their
equivalent from a recognized University.
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Have a good foundational knowledge on entomology and botany (scholarship 1) OR
entomology/environmental sciences with a bias in insect ecology and
environmental economics (Scholarship 2).
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Demonstrate self-motivation and the ability to achieve targets with minimum
supervision, commitment to working long hours, able to work in rural areas
HOW TO APPLY: Electronic applications must include the following: (a) a CV, (b) a statement of your motivation to undertake research studies with this project (max. 1 page), (c) copy of M.Sc admission letter (d) names and phone/email contact of two referees one of whom must be an academic referee and, (e) copy of certified undergraduate academic transcript. Send applications by email to Dr Anne M. Akol at aakol@cns.mak.ac.ug and copy to Dr Moses Chemurot at moseschemurot@gmail.com or hand-deliver to the office of the secretary, Department of Zoology, Entomology & Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University.
Deadline for receiving applications is 5:00pm on Monday 9th December 2019.