Vacancy for a PhD fellowship in rural development in the Great Lakes Region – U. of Louvain (Belgium)

Vacancy doctoral scholarship
‘Rural development in the Great Lakes Region of Africa’
Job description
· The candidate will conduct PhD research within the framework of the
multidisciplinary research project ‘A Green Revolution in the Great Lakes Region of
Africa: Challenges for inclusive development’ (FSR – funded by Université
Catholique de Louvain). The project mainly adopts a qualitative research approach.
Abstract of the project: The project takes the Great Lakes Region as a case study to
(1) reflect upon how local livelihood strategies are affected by global drivers of
change – increasing competition for land, food price fluctuations, and climate change
– that severely challenge Africa’s agricultural systems; (2) analyse how, rural
development policies and practices may (not) contribute to a pro-poor ‘Green
Revolution’ in the Great Lakes Region; (3) provide policy-relevant lessons on how to
combine economic development with the improvement of rural livelihoods and local
agency– while taking into account the way in which the political economy shapes
conditions for social change.
· The candidate will elaborate proposals to attract additional research funding.
· The candidate could possibly engage in policy advisory work on topics closely
related to the research project – dependent upon demand.
Profile
· Masters in development studies, or in anthropology, sociology, political sciences,
economics, agronomy, etc. but with a proven interest in development studies.
· Experience of research, preferably in Africa.
· Experience of qualitative research methods. Knowledge of quantitative research
methods is an advantage.
· Motivated to conduct long-term field research in Africa (up to 6 months)
· Team-player, willing to actively participate in the activities of the Centre for
Development Studies at UCL.
· Excellent presentation and writing skills.
· Excellent knowledge of English and French (both written and spoken); knowledge of
African languages spoken in the Great Lakes Region is an additional advantage.
Job offer
The vacancy is for a full-time PhD scholarship of two years (48 months) at the Université
Catholique de Louvain (UCL, based in French-speaking part of Belgium), possibly prolonged
with another two years (dependent upon the mid-term evaluation of the research project by
the UCL research council).
Candidates
All candidates are invited to send the following information to an.ansoms@uclouvain.be by
15 September 2011.
– CV including: Personal details, Studies, Language skills, Professional trajectory, Short
description of previous field experience (preferably in Africa), Publications (if
applicable), Any other information that might be relevant for the vacancy
– A letter of motivation (max 2 A4 pages, times new roman 12)
Shortlisted candidates will receive notice by the end of September, and will be asked to write
a short scientific paper (max 3000 words excl. bibliography in English or French) on ‘the
challenges for rural development in the Great Lakes Region of Africa’ (deadline: 31 October
2011).
Starting date: 1 December 2011