Introduction:
The Aga Khan University is developing an interdisciplinary program of research at the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (AKU – ACER). As a flagship initiative of the University, the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre leverages the site’s research opportunities in environmental science – including atmospheric sciences, ecology, environmental chemistry, geosciences, and social sciences. The land also serves as a hub for AKU and Simon Fraser University (SFU) to conduct community-based research and run programs that focus on collaborative, change-oriented, and inclusive community partnerships. Benefits of research activities will cut across many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to the environment and climate action, including ACER’s capacity for carbon sequestration, as well as SDGs related to human health, water, clean energy, sustainable communities, hunger, gender equality and poverty. The Aga Khan University is a priority relationship for SFU which allows both institutions to build on their shared values as they work together on various projects. This partnership is in keeping with SFU’s strategic sustainability and climate action plan and its goal of mobilizing the entire institution to embed climate action throughout its operations, research, academics, and community and global engagement.
Responsibilities:
The AKU-SFU post-doctoral fellowship offers opportunities to qualified candidates interested in undertaking onsite research projects to support interdisciplinary and collaborative studies at the AKU – ACER. The candidate will contribute to analytical work and gain familiarity with the early-stage operations of a unique “living lab” research center. The objective of this position is to support the design and implementation of the research project on food systems, climate change, food sovereignty. The fellow will provide substantive, organizational and logistical assistance to the overall initiative’s leadership and/or to specific research teams. The fellow will gain knowledge of substantive and operational aspects of research on climate change and environmental studies, agroecology, and water, natural resource management, conservation, and biodiversity, etc.
The incumbent’s role will focus on research projects related to climate change, food sovereignty, food security, food literacy and circularity (circular economy) among community members in Tanzania, with some opportunities to collaborate with international team members and research projects in Kenya, Pakistan, and Canada. The incumbent is expected to participate in other project related academic work such as supporting project related conferences, workshops and community engagements.
Requirements:
In principle, the incumbent will have completed a Doctoral Degree, normally within the previous five years, and planning to undertake additional advanced research at Simon Fraser University and Aga Khan University;
- A PhD in food systems, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Agrarian Studies, Sociology, Geography and Planning, and or related fields;
- Proven track record of publishing in high-impact academic journals;
- Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques and analysis;
- Excellent command of the English Language – written and spoken;
- Ability to read and write in Swahili is an added advantage;
- Willingness to relocate to Arusha, Tanzania with flexibility to spend up to 30% the time in Canada;
- Ability and willingness to conduct both literature review and field research independently and in teams;
- Ability to engage with local community members in a respectful manner and understanding local customs;
- Willingness and ability to work with large interdisciplinary and multicounty teams; and
- Readiness to contribute to the academic and intellectual growth of AKU-ACER.
Compensation:
The monthly basic salary range is TZS6.6M ($2,658) – TZS10M ($4,124).
To Apply:
Please submit your application clearly indicating your qualification and how it aligns with the job profile demonstrating how you will implement the project in question. You should also submit your detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae, two recent journal articles or dissertation chapter and a published paper. These should be sent on email on PDF format to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected], Human Resources Department, The Aga Khan University, Tanzania.
For further information regarding this vacancy please contact:
Mirranda Cross, Manager, Global Engagement at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] – Human Resources Department, The Aga Khan University, Tanzania.
For those interested in applying for this position, please submit your application clearly indicating your qualification and how it fits with this position and demonstrate how you will implement the research projects in question. You should also submit your detailed Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter, 2 recent journal articles or dissertation chapter, a published paper, along with a list of 3 referees in one PDF file to: [email protected] no later than February 29th, 2024.
Please note that you MUST quote the position title in email subject line, i.e., Post-Doctoral Fellow, AKU-ACER, Arusha Tanzania
