The International
Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a highly skilled,
results-oriented MSc student to carry out research on Sandponics.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit International Agricultural
Research for development with a global mandate to conduct research on potato,
sweetpotato, and other roots and tubers and on the improved management of
natural resources. Its vision is to emphasize the use of roots and tubers to
improve the lives of the poor. CIP seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food
security and improve the well-being of poor people in root and tuber farming
and food systems of the developing world.
The position: The Research Assistant – MSc Student will be responsible for coordinating and managing Sandponics experiment for rapid multiplication of sweetpotato planting material.
Duties
·
Compare the Sandponics system with
conventional screen house multiplication per unit output/cost/time;
·
Develop optimal nutrient media for
N/P/K for sweetpotato;
·
Maintain sweetpotato clones in
greenhouse/screenhouse;
·
Maintain records and standard
operation procedures on Sandponics experiment;
·
Manage and supervise operations in
screen houses (Preparation of substrate, potting, planting, watering, spraying,
harvesting, sorting, packaging, labeling);
·
Supervise hardening TC plantlets and
multiplication of varieties through cuttings;
·
Data entry;
·
Sharing of experiences with
Sandponics units in other sub-Saharan African countries through active
participation in the seed system and crop management community of practice
virtual and in person meetings.
·
Any other tasks as assigned by
supervisor.
Requirements
·
Bachelor’s degree Agriculture or a
closely related discipline;
·
Enrolled in master’s program with
coursework completed by January 2018;
·
Experience managing plants in
greenhouses or screenhouses;
·
Strong knowledge base in chemistry
and laboratory exposure;
·
Ability to communicate well both in
writing and speaking in English;
·
Knowledge of Kiswahili preferred;
·
Knowledge of sweetpotato agronomy and
pathology preferred;
·
Computer proficiency including MS
Office (Word/ PowerPoint and Excel) skills.
Conditions: This is a one year MSc. student position based in
Nairobi at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services Quarantine station
(PQS) Muguga. The student must be willing to embark on thesis research
concerning the development of Sandponics multiplication systems for
sweetpotato.
How to Apply:
Applicants should apply online
through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website (https://cipotato.org/internships/),
including a letter of motivation, a full C.V with the names and contact
information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s
professional qualifications and work experience. The deadline for receiving applications
will be 30 November 2017. Only short-listed
candidates will be contacted.
CIP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment
process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). CIP also does
not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.