Research opportunities associated with the BAOFOOD project
The baobab tree is an iconic tree native to many regions of Africa. The fruits, leaves and other parts of the tree are not only edible, but are also loaded with important vitamins, trace minerals and antioxidants. The tree has the potential to make a permanent, positive contribution to the critical food supply situation in Eastern Africa as well as create a viable new economic industry for the local population. Until now, however, the commercial use of baobab-based products has been hindered by scarcity, inconsistent quality in plant materials, a lack of cultivation and processing technologies, and underdeveloped market chains.
BAOFOOD is an international research project dedicated to investigating and promoting the production, market development, processing and local consumption of baobab for the improvement of food security, nutrition and rural livelihoods mainly in Kenya and the Sudan. Planned research activities will touch on all parts of the value chain, from biological and ecological enquiries into the baobab tree, to the production and marketing of baobab foodstuffs and products in order to unlock the potential of the baobab tree and ultimately ensure a steady and adequate food supply for the region. The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), is led by Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Germany and conducted in collaboration with research institutions, NGOs and industry in Germany, Kenya, Sudan, Malawi and the UK.
Associated with the BAOFOOD project it will be possible to apply for DAAD scholarships (MSc and PhD students;full or sandwich scheme/in-country scholarships), extending the projects’ regional focus to further East African countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, or Ethiopia. Research activities should investigate the emerging baobab processing industryin these countries, focussing on aspects such as strategy, business models and performance of small-scale baobab processing enterprises as well as new product development.
If you intend to apply for a DAAD scholarship with a research proposal related to the BAOFOOD project, kindly send your application documents, a draft research proposal (max. 10 pages) and a copy of up to 3 scientific publications that you have (co)authored to by 15 August, 2016.
Successful applicants should have:
-A background in business economics, NRM or a related discipline;
-Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative empirical social research;
-Proficiency in inferential statistical methods and respective software tools (e.g., R, SPSS, STATA);
-Strong motivation and ability to conduct and publish high-quality academic research;
-Great personal initiative and proactive behavior;
-Excellent team and interpersonal skills;
-Excellent English language skills (IELTS 6.5 or higher) and local language skills;
-Relevant practical and professional experiences will be an advantage.
Selected candidates will be encouraged to submit their scholarship applications to DAAD until the application deadline (typically 30th of September 2016), including a detailed research proposal agreed with the prospective German supervisors, and the respective letters of acceptance. Further details on theavailable DAAD scholarships and application procedure can be found at