MERIT Project -call for PhD Scholarship applications, tenable at Uganda Martyrs University in collaboration with NTNU (NORWAY)

Environmental Risk Management under Increasing Extremes and Uncertainty (MERIT)

1. Introduction

Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) in collaboration with Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Makerere University, University of Dar es Salaam and Haramaya University are implementing a six year NORHED funded project entitled “Environmental Risk Management under Increasing Extremes and Uncertainty (MERIT)”. The overall objective of the MERIT project is to strengthen capacities of targeted south universities to provide quality education, research and outreach in the field of environmental risk and climate change that meet labor market demands, supports sustainable socio-economic development and national achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The priority research areas will be Climate smart agriculture, Environment conservation, Risk management and disaster preparedness in Eastern Africa. We are inviting interested Ugandans to apply for 2 PhD scholarships for studies tenable at Uganda Martyrs University. The successful applicants will undertake PhD studies in Agro ecology and Food systems programme. Successful candidates shall be required to start their studies in January 2022. Saucerful candidate will have to demonstrate capacity and interest to carry out their research in one of the following clusters;

 Research Cluster I – Biophysical Systems and Nature Based Solutions: address better understanding of natural hazard and test suitable Nature Based Solutions (NBS) packages with potential for risk mitigation.

Research Cluster II – Socio-Economic/cultural System: address the vulnerability component of risk covering social institutions, livelihood strategies and asset bases and adaptation to risk and climate change stress.

Research Cluster III – Risk Governance and policy: Interrogate governance and policy arrangements that either constrain or propel effective risk management.

Research Cluster IV – Emerging digital technologies and tools for risk management: How digital solutions can be harnessed and optimized for risk management at society level

Their study interest must address issues in

2. Eligibility

• Ugandan working in a university or government MDA (Ministry, Department or Agency)
• Should hold a master’s degree in a relevant in agricultural and environmental sciences
• The proposed research should align with the research clusters above.
• Qualifying female candidates and candidates with disabilities will be given priority
• Candidates with a prolific record of publication will also be given priority

3. Application procedure

Interested and eligible applicants should submit the following documents;

1. A one page application letter and copies of education certificates
2. A motivation statement for a PhD study including total commitment to the programme
3. A concept note detailing the proposed research (5 pages maximum).
4. Two recommendation letters from academic referees
5. CV of the applicant

Application with all the required documents should be submitted to merit@umu.ac.ug copied to:  charlotte.jjunju@ntnu.no. The application deadline is Friday 28^th January 2022.  Successful candidates will spend up to 5 months in Norway and will be co-supervised by staff from UMU and NTNU

4. Scope of the scholarship

The MERIT scholarship will cover tuition, stipend, research costs, travel and living costs in Norway, publication costs. The candidates will work in a vibrant research TEAM with experienced and competent scholars from Uganda, Norway, Tanzania and Ethiopia.