The Botswana International University of Science and Technology Job Opportunities for MSc, PhD, Postdoctoral and Project Administrators – 2022
MSc, PhD, Postdoctoral and Project Administrator positions at Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)
The OR Tambo Africa Research Chair initiatives (ORTARChI) in climate change and adaptation at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is a five-year project from 2021 to 2025 and funded by NRF, IDRC, Oliver & Adelaide Tambo foundation, Botswana Government through DRST/MOTE and BIUST.
ORTARChI is looking for a talented PhD and MSc candidates with good analytical skills with an ability to improve and streamline complex work processes as well as interpret data generated from experiments; possess good time management skills, outstanding communication skills, and capable of working independently in a goal-oriented manner in the host Department with only critical guidance from the supervisors for the following research areas at BIUST:
MSc and PhD positions
1. “Dryland crop yield sensitivity to drought and climate change with focus on Botswana” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in Environmental Science or a related field from a recognized institution with specialization related to climate science
Competencies and Skills
• Work experience in Agricultural sector; and
• Hands-on experience dealing with earth and environmental sciences, veld carrying capacity assessment will be an added advantage.
2. “Climate Change and risk assessment associated with climate extremes in Sub-Saharan Africa” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in Environmental Science or a related field from a recognized institution with specialization related to climate science, meteorology or atmospheric science
Competencies and Skills
• Strong back-ground in Mathematics and Physics is required
• Experience dealing with large climate data, statistical analysis, climate modelling and programming in MATLAB or Python will be an added advantage.
3. “Smallholder livelihoods: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Botswana” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in Environmental Science or a related field from a recognized institution
Competencies and Skills
• Research/Work experience in Agricultural sector and/or community mobilisation and engagement;
• Good understanding of rural appraisal research techniques
• Hands-on experience dealing with climate change related data (measurable and observable evidence of climate change) and other environmental data will be an advantage
4. “Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife Biodiversity; implications for Conservation” at MSc level Academic
Qualification: BSc in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Ecology or related from a recognised institution
Competencies and Skills
• Good background in remote sensing and GIS techniques
• Research or work experience in wildlife conservation will be an advantage
5. “Impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystem and vegetation dynamics and productivity in semi-arid environment” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in Biological Sciences & Biotechnology or a related field from a recognized institution.
Competencies and Skills
• A strong technical competence in field sample collection and identification of indigenous plant species using morphology and molecular methods;
• Ability to work with indigenous plant species and conduct veld assessment carrying capacity assessment;
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment that includes incubators, spectrophotometers, CI-340 Handheld photosynthesis system, gel electrophoresis, and other scientific equipment available; and
• Hands-on experience dealing with earth and environmental sciences, veld carrying capacity assessment, phytoremediation, botanical specimen collections and preservation will be an added advantage.
6. “Microbial and enzymatic hydrolysis of feather and is utilization as animal feed additive” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in biotechnology, biological Sciences, or related fields from a recognized institution.
Competencies and Skills
• Experience and skill in handling microorganisms;
• Capacity to work in a team in addressing scientific problems; and
• Research experience in microbiology or enzyme technology is an added advantage.
7. “Algal biotechnology: scaleup of cultivation, processing, and evaluation of its application as animal feed” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in biotechnology, biological Sciences, or related fields from a recognized institution.
Competencies and Skills
• Experience and skill in algal cell culture or other microbial cells;
• Capacity to work in a team in addressing scientific problems; and
• Research experience in microbiology or enzyme technology is an added advantage.
8. “Enhancing water resource utilization and mitigation for drought stress in crop and pasture crops.” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in Agriculture or related field (Crop Science, Soil Science, Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences) from a recognized institution.
Competencies and Skills
• A strong technical competence in conducting field and screenhouse experiments on water balance and stress plant physiology;
• Ability to operate laboratory and field equipment that include CI-340 Handheld photosynthesis system, soil moisture sensors, and other scientific equipment available for measurement of plant physiologic responses; and
• Experience in managing field and screenhouse experiments.
9. “Time Series Forecasting and Control for Agro-environmental Systems” at MSc level
Academic Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences or Statistics or a related field from a recognized institution.
Competencies and Skills
• Good background in Statistical and Mathematical techniques for analysing time series and or longitudinal data;
• Good analytical and computational skills; and
• Research or work experience in Agricultural sector will be an added advantage.
10. “Forecasting level of potential livestock production in Botswana supported by natural forage in the changing climate” at PhD level
Academic Qualification: Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences or Statistics or a related field from a recognized institution.
Competencies and Skills
• Good background in Mathematical methods in solving dynamical systems;
• Strong competencies in computational and analytical skills; and
• Research or work experience in Agricultural sector will be an added advantage.
Benefits
Successful candidates will be supported throughout their study period by ORTARChI with a scholarship of BWP 8000 per month at PhD level and BWP 6000 per month at MSc level. In addition, all necessary financial support for the research is provided by ORTARChI for a duration of three years for PhD studies and two years for MSc studies. ORTARChI welcomes and gives priority to candidates who do not need sponsorship of ORTARChI but want to work on one of the topics in this advert with only research support from ORTARChI.
The PhD and MSc positions are open until filled. The scholarship does not include tuition fee and it is renewed every six months upon significant progress by the student and recommendations by the supervisors.
II. Postdoctoral and project administrator positions ORTARChI has an opening for one postdoctoral fellow and one project administrator. The postdoctoral must have earned a PhD in atmospheric or climate science at the time of appointment and she/he must have demonstrated independent research through publications in peer reviewed and indexed journals in a reputable journal database. The postdoctoral fellow works under the supervision of ORTARChI Chair in areas of climate change and adaptation and also assists the Chair in the mentoring of graduate students working on topics related to climate change and adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The postdoctoral position attracts a fellowship of ZAR 200,000 per annum or its equivalent in BWP. It is subjected to any applicable government taxes. The postdoctoral fellowship is open to any candidates from Sub-Saharan Africa.
The position is for one year and renewable for up to two more years subjected to excellent performance. The position is open until filled.
The applicants for the positions of project administrator must have BSc from recognized university. Some experience or exposure in project administration and management is a requirement. Possessing MSc degree and working in a University environment is an added advantages. The salary for the project administrator position is ZAR 125,000 per annum or its equivalent in BWP. The salary is subjected to any applicable government taxes. The position is for six months and renewable every six months subjected to excellent performance. The position is open until filled.
III. Research Assistant Positions Three research assistant positions are available for applicants working in the area of microbiology and biotechnology, mathematical biology or ecological modelling, climate and atmospheric sciences. The positions are for six months and renewable every six months subjected to successful achievements in the listed research areas. The positions are open only to applicants registered as students at BIUST.
Submission of Applications All applicants for any of the above positions should send their application by postal mail or email to:
Prof. Gizaw Mengistu Tsidu, ORTRAChI Chair-Climate Change, and Adaptation
Private Bag. 16, BIUST Palapye
Email:mengistug@biust.ac.bw
Or in person to:
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Office:B3/F31
Palapye
Applicants should submit the following documents for consideration:
(a) National ID/Passport copy;
(b) Application letter;
(c) Copies of transcripts and certificates;
(d) Recommendation letters and other supporting documents; and
(e) Proposal on the topics advertised (applicants for MSc & PhD).
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Attached Documents
