MSC Graduate Trainee at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit an MSc graduate fellow to undertake research on estimating the cost of production of stabilates used in the Infection and Treatment Method (ITM) of immunization against East Coast Fever (ECF). The MSc fellowship position is funded through the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health and will be hosted under the Animal and Human Health program at ILRI.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices in East, South and Southern Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa.

The Position

The Animal and Human Health program seeks to effectively manage or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and food-borne diseases that matter to the poor through the generation and use of knowledge, technologies and products, leading to higher farmer incomes and better health and nutrition for consumers and livestock.

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health is a collaborative program between ILRI, University of Nairobi, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and the Washington State University, aimed at improving human nutrition, economic welfare, and resilience by removing constraints to cattle health and production in the East Africa region.

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab is developing and improving diagnostic products and vaccines for East Coast Fever, improving adoption of animal health innovations and interventions, and quantifying their direct and indirect effects on human nutrition and well-being.

The successful applicant will join a cohort of graduate fellows under the Innovation Lab and will focus their work on estimating the cost of production of stabilates used in the Infection and Treatment Method (ITM) of immunization against ECF.

Project title: Estimating the cost of production of stabilates used in the Infection and Treatment Method (ITM) of immunization against ECF.

Key responsibilities:

• Describe the ITM production process
• Estimate cost of ITM production
• Analyze vaccine supply chain
• Conduct comparative analysis of alternative ITM production and supply chain strategies
• Prepare and submit MSc thesis to the registering university
• Prepare manuscript for publication in a peer reviewed journal

Eligibility:

• Candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Veterinary Medicine or a related field.
• Candidate must have registered for an MSc course in either Agricultural economics or Veterinary Medicine or other relevant course in a recognized university.
• Candidates should have completed and passed coursework and ready to embark on the research project.
• Proficiency in English language, both oral and written.
• Only nationals of Eastern and Central Africa countries. Applicants from Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan Tanzania and Uganda are encouraged to apply.

Location: ILRI Nairobi, Kenya

Duration: 1-year

Terms of appointment: This is appointment for 1 year, subject to satisfactory performance.

Benefits: ILRI will offer one economy class return ticket, a monthly stipend to cover living expenses in the project location, medical insurance, research expenses and university fees.