Closing date March 12th 2013
Biosciences tools can be used to address many of Africa’s agricultural challenges such as pests, diseases and climatic constraints that result in low crop yields and poor animal productivity. However, opportunities linking modern biosciences to agricultural improvement to solve some of Africa’s major agricultural problems remain largely untapped.
The BecA-ILRI Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in biosciences and well trained researchers can solve some intractable problems constraining Africa’s food security. As part of its capacity building programme, the BecA-ILRI Hub will hold a training workshop on introductory molecular biology and bioinformatics from 6th to 17th May, 2013.
We are seeking applicants from eastern and central Africa who require basics skills in molecular biology and bioinformatics to support their research. We will select graduate students and early career researchers, based on evidence of productive scholarship and research, relevance of the workshop to current research, and who are engaged in agricultural research within a national research institute or university.
Selected participants will attend an intensive 11-day workshop, with complimentary lectures and hands-on training in DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing and bioinformatics. Participants will also experience the research discovery process: potentially novel DNA sequences acquired by each participant will be analyzed and discussed during the bioinformatics sessions. Training will be given by experts in molecular biology and bioinformatics from the BecA-ILRI Hub and regional research partners.
Applicant requirements
- A national of one of the BecA countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon,
- Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda.
- Affiliated with a national agricultural research program or university in the BecA region
- Currently engaged in agricultural research
- BSc, MSc or PhD in biosciences or a related subject
- Good working knowledge of written and spoken English
- Online application form (http://hpc.ilri.cgiar.org/beca/training/MolBio2013/index.php) completed by March 12th 2013
For self-sponsored participants the cost of the workshop is $1500, which includes training, accommodation and meals but excludes the cost of travel. We also have a few places at the workshop for which we cover all expenses, including travel, accommodation, meals and training; any applicant requiring financial assistance for the workshop must request it in the application form. Workshops are limited in class size, and selection is highly competitive. However, self-sponsored applicants will be favourably considered. Women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applications received after the March 12th 2013 deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered. Successful applicants will be notified by April 1st 2013.
This workshop is supported by funds from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) through a partnership between Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the BecA-ILRI Hub; and by the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs through Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
This workshop is also supported by the following organisations through the provision of laboratory consumables and assistance with training: F&S Scientific (www.fnscientific.com), Inqaba Biotec (www.inqababiotec.co.za ), Merck Millipore (www.merckmillipore.com ), and Roche (www.rocheapplied-science.com ).
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