Openings at icipe – African Insect Science for Food and Health

Specific Duties

• The successful candidate will be expected to: Lead and spearhead the development of a coherent vision and strategic framework for the Push–Pull Programme in line with icipe’s strategy and goals, and international best practices.
• Organise a Push–Pull Programme structure to cost-effectively utilise resources to meet icipe’s research, capacity and institutional building needs.
• Provide cutting-edge scientific leadership to scientists and technical staff to further develop, adapt, optimise and scale up Push–Pull technology to a broad range of agro-ecosystems and 
• farming systems.
• Guide scientists and technical staff within the Programme to ensure timely preparation of annual 
• work-plans, budgets, and scientific and technical reports for donors.
• Ensure that the Push–Pull Programme members continually update skills and methodologies to keep up with global cutting-edge knowledge that is relevant to the Plant Health Theme’s research.
• Provide leadership and guidance to scientists in the publication of research outputs in highimpact peer-reviewed journals, as well as provide stewardship of intellectual property developed under the programme.
• Promote and establish collaborative linkages within icipe and with national, regional and 
• international institutions in the Programme’s relevant fields of research under the Plant Health Theme.
• Actively seek and secure external support for the activities of the Push–Pull Programme, 
• including resources to develop and grow the research portfolio.
• Manage and develop the staff of the Push–Pull Programme to create and foster a culture of 
• scientific excellence and to ensure that the Programme has the human resources required now and into the future.
• Prudently manage financial, physical and intellectual resources under the Push–Pull Programme.
• Facilitate peer-review of the performance of Push–Pull Programme staff.
• Initiate periodic reviews of the performance of the Push–Pull Programme to ensure relevance and quality.
• Act as a spokesperson and representative of the Programme.
• Ensure that the Programme meets its legal and reporting responsibilities to all stakeholders, includingpartners and donors.

Requirements/Qualifications

• PhD degree in entomology or related agricultural sciences, but preferably with expertise in habitat management, chemical ecology, agronomy or biological control from a reputable university, and postdoctoral training from a highly reputed laboratory.
• Ten (10) years’ experience progressively gained in either a research organisation or a university.
• Excellent publication track record with at least 50 publications.

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Specific Duties
The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Set up bioassay experiments. 
• Trap volatiles from living organisms. 
• Analyse volatiles using chemical ecology methods (e.g. GC-MS).
• Extract non-volatiles and analyse by chemical and molecular methods.
• Assist in training students, interns and new staff on basic analytical equipment.
• Place order for laboratory supplies for the unit.
• Collate, analyze data and write reports.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Diploma in Biology or Environmental Sciences. BSc in Chemistry/Biochemistry is an added advantage.
• Previous laboratory experience in a chemical ecology Laboratory.
• A minimum of 1 year experience, handling insects, working on micro-samples, GC-MS analysis, bioassays, collection of volatiles.