molecular biology | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 11

PhD Candidate ‘Drug-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction’, Netherlands: Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Cell Biology

This project aims to address fundamental questions concerning the effects of drug related toxicity on mitochondrial function by making use of the nematode C. elegans as a model system. The main questions that will be addressed concern the quantative analysis of drug-induced ROS production and oxidative damage in relation to mitochondrial function, assembly and ageing. The work is embedded in the theme ‘Quantitative systems analysis of biological stress response’ and will be reinforced by the start of a new PI, after a post-doc at Stanford, who will use C. elegans to study mechanisms of ageing.
Requirements

* A master degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Cell biology, or Molecular biology (or equivalent)
* Experience with molecular biological techniques, protein techniques
* Interest in quantitative analysis
* Experience with C. elegans is an advantage
* The ability to work in a team as well as independently
Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 February 2011
Further Scholarship Information and Application

TWAS-icipe Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2011, Kenya

TWAS-icipe Postgraduate Fellowships in natural sciences are tenable for a period of up to 3 years at the departments of the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kenya.

Eligible icipe departments: Fellowships are tenable at icipe in the Programmes of Animal Health, Human Health, Plant Health, Environmental Health, in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, in the Department of Behavioural and Chemical Ecology, in the Department of Entomology, and at the field station of Mbita, Lake Victoria, Kenya.

icipe will provide a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs, such as accommodation, food and health insurance. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.

Eligibility

Applicants for these Fellowships must meet the following criteria:

* be a maximum age of 35 years on 31 December of the application year;
* be nationals of a developing country (other than Kenya);
* hold a Master’s degree in a field of the natural sciences;
* provide evidence that s/he will return to their home country on completion of the fellowship;
* be accepted at an icipe department and provide an official acceptance letter from the head of the department (see sample Acceptance Letter) to this effect. Requests for acceptance must be directed to Lillian Igweta (see contact details below);
* provide evidence of proficiency in English.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 15 September 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Postdoctoral Position:Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Nairobi

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality livestock science, communications and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development. ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ILRI has campuses in Kenya (headquarters) and Ethiopia, with other offices located in other regions of Africa (Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, Vietnam) and East Asia (China).

Responsibilities

* Contribute to efforts to develop an improved diagnostic test for CBPP
* Assist with activities supporting the generation of a panel of Mycoplasmamycoides-specific antibodies
* Assist with activities related to the detection of Mycoplasmamycoides proteins expressed in vivo
* Assist with activities related to the genome transplantation and mutagenesis of Mycoplasmamycoides

Requirements
* A PhD degree obtained no more than 5 years ago in the field of microbiology, immunology or molecular biology
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to perform in multidisciplinary and multicultural research environment.
* Willingness and ability to travel to partners in Namibia and Europe.

Scholarship Application Deadline:31 January 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application