26 Fully Funded PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantships at the University of Eldoret, Kenya (TAGDev 2.0 Programme)

The University of Eldoret, Kenya, in collaboration with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and the Mastercard Foundation, is offering 26 PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) positions under the transformative TAGDev 2.0 programme. This prestigious opportunity is designed to build Africa’s next generation of academic leaders, researchers, and innovators in agriculture and agrifood systems.

If you are an aspiring PhD candidate with a passion for research, teaching, and community impact, this programme offers a unique platform to advance your academic career while contributing to Africa’s sustainable development.

Background of the TAGDev 2.0 Programme

The Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) initiative is a 10-year programme (2023–2033) aimed at strengthening higher education institutions across Africa.

The programme focuses on:

• Empowering young Africans with relevant skills
• Strengthening universities and TVET institutions
• Promoting inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient agricultural systems
• Enhancing community engagement and innovation

The University of Eldoret leads the ASEC-Dairy Project, which focuses on strengthening the dairy value chain (cow and goat) across multiple regions in Kenya, including:

• Highlands
• Medium lands
• Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)

This initiative spans 12 counties in the North Rift and Lake Region economic blocs, driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and research in dairy systems.

About the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Programme

The GTA Programme plays a critical role in advancing higher education in Africa by building PhD-level academic capacity.

Key Objectives of the GTA Programme

• Improve the quality of higher education in African universities
• Increase the number of PhD-trained academic staff
• Promote research aligned with Africa’s development needs
• Strengthen inter-university collaboration
• Encourage staff mobility across RUFORUM member institutions

How the GTA Programme Works

• Sending Universities: Nominate staff for PhD training
• Host University (University of Eldoret):
  • Provides tuition waiver
  • Offers accommodation (subject to policy)
• RUFORUM Secretariat:
  • Facilitates placements
  • Monitors progress

A tripartite agreement is signed between:

1. Sending university
2. Host university
3. GTA Fellow

This agreement ensures clarity in roles, responsibilities, and support.

Available PhD Programmes and Positions

The assistantships are offered for a three-year PhD programme (2026/27 – 2029/30) across the following disciplines:

1. PhD in Seed Science (5 Positions)

• Seed physiology and health
• Seed systems and technology
• Climate-smart seed innovations
• Focus on fodder and forage systems

2. PhD in Microbiology (3 Positions)

• Dairy microbiology and food safety
• Biofertilisers and biocontrol
• Disease diagnostics and microbial ecology

3. PhD in Agricultural Extension Education (5 Positions)

• Digital advisory services
• Participatory extension methods
• Youth and gender-responsive innovation systems

4. PhD in Agroforestry (4 Positions)

• Climate-smart land management
• Tree-crop-livestock systems
• Landscape restoration and resilience

5. PhD in Human Nutrition (4 Positions)

• Value-added dairy products
• Nutrition security
• Enterprise and job creation

6. PhD in Technology Education (5 Positions)

• Digital learning systems
• Precision agriculture tools
• E-learning and advisory platforms

Specializations Required (for Technology Education):

• Building & Construction Technology
• Computer Studies
• Electrical & Electronics
• Automotive Technology
• Mechanical Technology
• TVET

Research Focus Areas

Applicants must align their research proposals with one or more of the following ASEC-Dairy priority areas:

• Dairy productivity, milk quality, and value addition
• Enterprise diversification across agro-ecological zones
• Climate-smart fodder and forage systems
• Community-based research and stakeholder engagement
• Digital agriculture and advisory tools
• Youth entrepreneurship and job creation
• Agroforestry and climate resilience

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will gain access to a wide range of academic and professional benefits:

Academic and Financial Support

• Tuition waiver at the University of Eldoret
• Accommodation support (where applicable)

Professional Development Opportunities

• Mentorship from experienced, multidisciplinary academics
• Participation in:
  • Teaching
  • Laboratory sessions
  • Fieldwork

Skills Development

• Academic writing and publishing
• Data analysis and research methodologies
• Stakeholder engagement
• Entrepreneurship and innovation

Research and Innovation Exposure

• Access to ASEC-Dairy platforms
• Participation in:
  • Innovation hubs
  • Incubation programmes
  • Digital knowledge-sharing systems

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be teaching staff at a RUFORUM member university
• Be formally nominated by their home university
• Hold a relevant Master’s degree
• Demonstrate strong academic and research potential
• Submit a research proposal aligned with programme priorities
• Be willing to relocate to the University of Eldoret
• Preferably be below 40 years of age
• Demonstrate financial need
• Not be a beneficiary of another fully funded scholarship

Inclusion Focus

The programme strongly encourages applications from:

• Women
• Persons with disabilities
• Refugees and internally displaced persons
• Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Academic qualifications and background
• Quality and relevance of research proposal
• Completeness of application
• Teaching and research experience
• Motivation and commitment
• Financial need
• Potential for impact in research and community development

Application Process

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Visit the official University of Eldoret website
2. Download the application form
3. Prepare all required documents
4. Submit a single consolidated PDF file via email

Required Documents

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Research proposal (max 3 pages)
• Nomination letter from home university
• Institutional endorsement
• Academic publications (if available)
• Writing samples (optional)
• Contact details of referees

Important Deadline

• Application Deadline: 30 June 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Why You Should Apply

This PhD GTA opportunity is more than just academic training—it is a career-defining pathway.

Click here for more and to apply

Key Advantages

• Earn a PhD while gaining teaching experience
• Contribute to Africa’s agricultural transformation
• Build a strong academic and research career
• Join a network of leading African universities
• Develop solutions for real-world challenges

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