Postdoctoral Fellow (Insect-based Food Development and Promotion) at icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Overall Purpose of the Job

The Postdoctoral Fellow will support research for development (R4D) activities in the Environment Health Theme with focus on beneficial insects for human consumption, develop and promote insect-based food products. Towards this R4D focus, the candidate will support the activities of the Building Equitable Climate-Resilient African Bean & Insect Sectors (BRAINS) project which aims to use novel evidencebased ideas originating from bean, fruit tree crops and beneficial insect products to innovate, co-create and take proven technologies to scale through connection of knowledge to industry actors and nationalpartners with policy support from government in 15 sub-Saharan countries. The broad roles and responsibilities of the position holder will include 1) develop and promote beneficial insect-based products, 2) integrate the insect-based food products with beans and fruit value chain in bean corridors developed by PABRA and the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, to ensure holistic strengthening and resilience of the food systems, ensure gender equality, job creation and sustainability of small-scale agriculture. It is expected that such an integrated approach will facilitate carbon farming, mitigate climate change and ensure prosperous livelihood for women and youth.

Specific Duties

• To implement innovative R4D technologies to scale beneficial insect enterprises (farming, collection, processing, and trade) along the fruit trees and bean corridors in the target countries.
• Spearhead the development of innovative high-value beneficial insect and bean-based food
• products in project target countries to enhance consumer acceptability, market demand, and profitability for women and youth entrepreneurs.
• Promote and upscale consumption of innovative high-value beneficial insect and bean-based food products along the fruit trees and bean corridors.
• Contribute to the development of training materials and conduct training of trainers (ToTs) on skills related to beneficial insect products for partners in the fruit trees and bean corridors in the target countries.
• Timely preparation of project implementation plans, budgets, scientific and technical reports to the donors.
• Co-supervise project team members (staff and students) engaged in the implementation of the project.
• Contribute to resource mobilization in the area of beneficial insect-based food product development and promotion.
• Promote collaborative linkages with local, national, regional, and international partners.
• Mobilization and sensitization of pastoralist communities in arid and semi-arid areas for the adoption of beneficial insects and derived food products as an alternative source of livelihood.
• Carry out any other duties commensurate with experience assigned by the immediate supervisor or his designee

Requirements/Qualifications

• PhD in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Entomology, Applied Entomology or a related field from a reputable University.
• At least 3 years’ research experience in entomophagy, entomology, insect rearing and food product development, quality testing, and sensory evaluation.
• Experience in the mass production and processing of beneficial insects’ species into high-quality human food products.
• Experience in the design, development, and testing of innovative strategies for mass rearing and harvesting of edible insects.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research and dissemination of insect-based food products at the community level.
• Experience in capacity building through supervision and mentorship of M.Sc. students, research assistants, technicians, and interns.
• Good publication track record with at least 2 published peer-reviewed papers on edible insect production and utilization as foods.
• Knowledge in grant proposal writing, development of beneficial insects training manuals, and training of ToTs.
• Experience in multistakeholder engagement, farmer training, student mentorship, and technology dissemination.

Core Competencies

• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to engage in travel and field work.
• Fluency in the English language