Research Assistant - MSc. Student at International Potato Center

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a highly skilled, results-oriented MSc student to carry out research on Sandponics.

The position: Student will be responsible for coordinating and managing Sandponics experiment for rapid multiplication of sweetpotato planting material.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• 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.

Selection Criteria:

• 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.