Research Officer

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is a pan-African Centre of excellence in research for development and capacity building in insect science and its applications. Its mission is to help alleviate poverty, ensure food and nutritional security, and improve the overall health status of people in the tropics. It does so by developing and extending management tools and strategies for harmful and useful arthropods while preserving the natural resource base. Since its establishment in 1970, icipe has become a significant contributor to the science and innovation required to meet the health and food security challenges of sub-Saharan Africa. The Centre has achieved this status by developing alternative and environmentally friendly pest and vector management technologies and products that are effective, selective, non-polluting, non-resistance inducing, and affordable to resource-limited rural and urban communities. icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and has operations in more than 40 African countries, as well as thriving partnerships with universities and research organizations across the world. Employing over 500 international and national staff, icipe also has approximately 150 graduate students who contribute to its research portfolio annually. For additional information, visit: www.icipe.org.

Please also download icipe’s Vision and Strategy 2021–2025: . icipe seeks to recruit a Research Officer I in the Agriculture & Climate Change Thematic Research Programme (TRP). The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. This is a two-year contract, renewable subject to continued position needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staff member.

This is a nationally recruited position. A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Overall Purpose of the Job

To assist in carrying out laboratory bioassays with insect pests and parasitoids, entrainment of volatiles from companion plants, integration of vegetable push-pull with insect frass fertilizer, and data recording of laboratory and field experiments.

Specific Duties

• To carry out bioassays with crucifer vegetable pests and pests’ parasitoids.
• To carry out vegetable push-pull cropping system integration with insect frass fertilizer
• To assist in companion plants volatile collection and chemical analysis.
• To carry out pesticide residue analysis in vegetables grown under agroecological production systems.
• Assist in insect rearing, data collection and analysis from both laboratory and field experiments.
• Assist in field establishment and training of farmers on vegetable agroecological production systems.
• To publish scientific papers, reports and brochures on vegetable agroecological production systems.

Requirements/Qualifications

• BSc. in Agriculture/Agronomy/Biology.
• At least 2-year experience in a relevant area.
• Experience working on cropping systems like vegetable push-pull cropping systems.
• Experience working in an international organization in a similar position.

Other Desirable Attributes

• Proficient skills in chemical analysis using GC-MS/GC-EAG.
• Proficient in using MS Word and Excel for data entry.
• Good skills in laboratory bioassays and field collection of plants and insect samples.
• Previous work experience on vegetable push-pull cropping systems’ interactions with pests and their natural enemies.

Reporting

This position reports to the Research Scientist.