Junior Researcher

Job Advertisement: Junior Researcher

Background:

The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in collaboration with the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) is embarking on a 4-year DELTAS Africa Il project titled: Critical Zones Africa South and East (CzASE), funded by the Science for Africa Foundation’s DELTAS Africa Il Programme. This Social Sciences-oriented, transdisciplinary project aims to explore how environmental governance can be improved via an analysis of the “critical zone” – the thin zone on the Earth’s surface where life is possible. That “Critical Zone” is between aquiter and cloud. In it, habitability arises from interactions between biota, air, water, soil, animals, infrastructure and livelihoods. The goal of the study is to assist local environmental governance structures to make decisions that optimize the relations of habitability within the critical zone. A particular focus is understanding how to improve policy relating to the increased temperatures, storms and droughts bring that confront food growers in eastern and southern Africa.

The CZASE network will bring together stakeholders from University of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Malaw), University of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Leeds University (United Kingdom), the Human Sciences Research Council (South Africa) and University of Cape Town as lead, to do comparative studies, each asking how critical zone sciences can assist environmental governance in a specific watershed.

The LUANAR study will contribute to this project by conducting research on specific research topics through postgraduate scholarships within thematic areas of (i) Critical Zone Rapid Appraisal ii) Small-Scale Farming Food Systems, Gender dynamics and Habitability; (iii African Environmentalism; (iv) Contaminant legacies and environmental justice; (v) Ecological economics and policy for governance of the commons in the Critical Zone. Furthermore, the identified site for Malawi under this project, is the Malingunde/Dzalanyama catchment area in Lilongwe District. This area was selected due to its complex dynamics and ecological interactions related to climate change, human beings and critical resources such as water, soils, natural resource (i.e. charcoal making and biota) as well as its rich socio-cultural and rural/ urban food systems amongst others.

CZASE project therefore seeks applications from a dynamic and highly innovative person to work in a multi-disciplinary team comprising both physical and social scientists. The person hired for this position will be responsible for running day-to-day operations of the project and will also assist in teaching and research obligation.

The successful candidate will report to the Project Principal Investigator.

Job Description and Responsibilities:

• Manage CZASE’s research portfolio and day to day project activities
• Assist the Pl in teaching and assessments responsibilities
• Collaborate with a diverse team of scientists within LUANAR and other CZASE research project sites to develop collaborative research outputs
• Work with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, including soil scientist, geographers, foresters, anthropologists, agronomists, extension, climate science, socio-economists, gender and policy experts, to improve policy and environmental governance through critical zone science in eastern and southern Africa.
• Analyze research data for scientific publications.
• Prepare reports and research papers for publication in the reputed journals.

Requirements:

• MSc degree in Social sciences/ Food Systems/ Agricultural sciences/ Environmental Sciences or any related fields with minimum of three (3) years’ relevant experience in interdisciplinary and development-oriented research.
• PhD candidacy to any of the programs above is expected and will be an added advantage
• Fast learner and interest in multi-disciplinary oriented research.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis software.
• Experience in working with a wide range of Stakeholders.
• Strong project management ability and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English

General Information:

This is initially a 12-month contract position with a possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability.

This position does not include a study scholarship/bursary, but a monthly remuneration package based on LUANAR salary grade structures.

How to apply:

Submit your application your electronic application to hr@luanar.ac.mw with a copy to jkampanje@luanar.ac.mw by 24:00hrs of March 31st, 2024. Include in your application your latest CV and contact information for three professional references.