1. Background

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), in partnership with Mastercard Foundation and African partner universities, is implementing a 10-year programme (2023–2033) titled Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0). The programme seeks to strengthen universities and TVET institutions to better serve communities by skilling and empowering Africa’s young people and their institutions to drive inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient transformation of agriculture and agrifood systems. The scholarship is open to both female and male applicants. However, females, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

The University of Eldoret is implementing the Agri-food Systems and Entrepreneurship Development in Dairy Value Chain in Kenya (ASEC-Dairy) under TAGDev 2.0 as the lead institution, in collaboration with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Moi University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), and other relevant partners. The project focuses on the dairy value chain (cow and goat) across the highlands, medium lands, and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)of Kenya, covering 12 counties in the North Rift and Lake Region economic blocs. In general, the project focuses on strengthening research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement across the dairy value chain. To support postgraduate training and strengthen teaching and research capacity, the University of Eldoret invites applications for PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) aligned to the ASEC-Dairy thematic priorities.

2. Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)

The Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Programme contributes to RUFORUM’s strategic goal of building high-quality human resources and strengthening postgraduate training and research capacity in African universities. Since 2015, the GTA programme has aimed to:

1. Improve the quality of higher education and increase the pool of PhD-level trained academic staff in African universities;
2. Provide opportunities for doctoral research to contribute directly to African development;
3. Strengthen inter-university collaboration in higher education in Africa; and
4. Promote staff mobility among RUFORUM member universities across Africa.

Under the GTA arrangement:

1. Sending universities nominate staff to be trained, and RUFORUM supports placement in receiving/host universities.
2. Sending universities are expected to support travel, health insurance, upkeep, and research of their staff under training, as applicable under the tripartite agreement.
3. The host university waives tuition and associated academic costs and provides accommodation for admitted GTA Fellows, subject to institutional policy and the final agreement.
4. Once admission is completed, the sending university, host university, and nominated GTA Fellow sign a Tripartite Agreement, witnessed by the RUFORUM Secretariat, to guide the hosting and training of the Fellow.
5. Where opportunities exist, the host university may attach the GTA Fellow to ongoing research projects, innovation, outreach, and community action programmes.
6. RUFORUM Secretariat facilitates the GTA arrangement and follows up on training progress.

3. Eligible Programmes

This call is for a three-year PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantship at the University of Eldoret, Kenya, for the academic period [2026/27 – 2029/30, Academic years].

The call is open to applicants interested in and eligible to study any of the following PhD programmes at the University of Eldoret:

a) PhD in Seed Science [five (5) positions]

This programme supports advanced training and research in seed physiology, seed health, seed systems, seed technology, seed quality assurance, and climate-smart seed innovations. Within ASEC-Dairy, priority will be given to work that strengthens fodder and forage seed systems, pasture establishment, resilient planting materials, and farmer access to quality seed that supports dairy productivity and climate resilience. GTA Fellows will contribute to teaching, laboratory, field practicals, and seed system research and outreach.

b) PhD in Microbiology [three (3) positions]

This programme supports advanced research in agricultural, environmental, food, and dairy microbiology, including microbial ecology, biofertilisers, biocontrol, dairy fermentation, food safety, feed and environmental microbiology, seed health, and disease diagnostics. Priority will be given to work that improves milk safety and quality, biological solutions relevant to dairy systems, and related innovations across associated value chains.

c) PhD in Agricultural Extension Education [ five (5) positions]

This programme focuses on translating research and innovation into practical solutions for dairy farmers, cooperatives, extension systems, and agribusiness actors. Areas of interest include participatory extension methods, digital advisory services, inclusive innovation systems, policy engagement, and youth- and gender-responsive knowledge systems. Priority will be given to projects that accelerate technology uptake, entrepreneurship, and community learning in the dairy value chain.

d) PhD in Agroforestry [four (4) positions]

This programme supports research on climate-smart land management, tree-crop-livestock interactions, landscape restoration, forage systems, fodder trees, and resilience-building in agrifood systems. Priority will be given to work that strengthens feed and fodder resources, landscape greening, carbon-smart production, and sustainable intensification linked to dairy systems.

e) PhD in Human Nutrition [four (4) positions]

This programme drives innovation in value-added dairy products, promotes youth-led enterprises and job creation, enhances nutrition security and market competitiveness, and integrates research with entrepreneurship and community impact. Overall, it supports the transformation of the dairy and seed sector from a raw commodity focus into a nutrition-centered, enterprise-driven value chain that synergistically aligns with the value chain products.

d) PhD in Technology Education [five (5) positions]

This programme supports innovation in educational technologies, digital content development, technology-enabled extension, precision agriculture tools, e-learning systems, and digital advisory platforms for modern agrifood systems. Priority will be given to projects that enhance digital transformation in dairy production, value addition, entrepreneurship, and knowledge sharing.

The applicant should have specialization in the following: Building and Construction Technology, Computer Studies, Electrical and Electronics Technology, Automotive Technology, Mechanical Technology, Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Teaching experience in an Educational setting will be an added advantage.

4. Research Alignment

To directly contribute to TAGDev 2.0 implementation at the University of Eldoret, applicants are expected to align their concept notes or research proposals with one or more of the following broad ASEC-Dairy priority areas:

• dairy herd productivity, milk quality, processing, value addition, and market linkages;
• dairy cow and goat enterprise diversification across different agro-ecological zones;
• fodder, forage, pasture, and climate-smart seed innovations that support dairy systems;
• community action research, multistakeholder engagement, and experiential learning through the outreach/CARP model;
• digital infrastructure, advisory tools, data systems, and technology uptake along the dairy value chain;
• incubation, acceleration, entrepreneurship, and job creation for youth and vulnerable groups; and
• agroforestry, landscape restoration, low-carbon production, and broader climate resilience.

5. Scholarship Benefits

Successful GTA Fellows will benefit from the academic, professional, and community-engaged opportunities created through the University of Eldoret GTA arrangement and the ASEC-Dairy platform. Subject to the final approved tripartite and institutional arrangements, support may include:

• tuition waiver at the University of Eldoret in line with the GTA agreement;
• accommodation or hostel support, where applicable under the final arrangement;
• team-based mentorship and supervision by multidisciplinary and experienced academics;
• participation in teaching, laboratory sessions, and field practicals;
• opportunities to strengthen skills in academic writing, publishing, stakeholder engagement, participatory research, entrepreneurship, and data analysis;
• exposure to the University of Eldoret’s ASEC-Dairy innovation, incubation, entrepreneurship, and digital knowledge-sharing platforms;
• opportunities to contribute to impactful research on dairy systems, climate-smart production, agroforestry, digital extension, and inclusive agrifood transformation.

6. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• be a teaching staff from a RUFORUM member university and be formally nominated by their home/sending university;
• hold a relevant Master’s degree OR its equivalent, in a relevant field from the University of Eldoret OR other recognized institutions of higher learning.
• demonstrate strong academic standing and potential for independent research;
• show interest and capacity to contribute to teaching, mentoring, laboratory/field practicals, and community engagement;
• submit a concept note or research proposal that is clearly aligned to the dairy value chain and related ASEC-Dairy priorities of this call;
• be willing to relocate and reside at the University of Eldoret for the duration of the programme;
• preferably not above 40 years of age at the time of application;
• demonstrate financial need and commitment to complete the training within the expected timeframe; and
• not hold another scholarship that fully supports the same programme of study.

Female applicants, persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons, and applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply, in line with the ASEC-Dairy commitment to inclusive participation and leaving no one behind.

7. Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated competitively by the relevant University of Eldoret and TAGDev 2.0 selection structures. The selection will consider:

• relevance of the applicant’s academic background to the programme;
• quality and relevance of the concept note or research proposal to the GTA and ASEC-Dairy priorities;
• quality and completeness of the application package;
• evidence of teaching, research, work, publication, or community engagement experience;
• motivation and commitment to complete the PhD within the expected duration;
• evidence of financial need; and
• potential to contribute to postgraduate training, research excellence, entrepreneurship, and community-responsive innovation at the University of Eldoret.

8. How to Apply

Go to the Website: https://www.uoeld.ac.ke/;  proceed to How to apply and download the relevant Application form

Interested candidates should submit the complete application as one consolidated PDF file to:

Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies
University of Eldoret

Email: bpgs@uoeld.ac.ke

Copy to: s.nghituwamhata@ruforum.org

Subject line: Application for Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) – University of Eldoret

Application documents

• A motivation letter explaining their interest, suitability, and alignment with the position;
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• Certified copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates;
• A concept note or research proposal [page limit three (3)] aligned to one of the priority thematic areas under ASEC-Dairy;
• A letter of nomination from the applicant’s home/sending university;
• Endorsement from the relevant department/faculty/school or academic leadership at the home institution;
• A list of relevant academic publications, where applicable;
• Copies of up to two relevant academic publications or academic writing samples, where applicable;
• Contact details for at least two academic referees or recommendation letters.

[Application deadline:  June 30^th 2026]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

9. Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

[Prof Julius Ochuodho], TAGDev 2.0 Project Coordinator, University of Eldoret

Email: [juliusochuodho@uoeld.ac.ke;  juliusochuodho@gmail.com ]

Copy:

Ms. Selma Ndapewa Nghituwamhata, Program Assistant, Doctoral Training

Email: [s.nghituwamhata@ruforum.org]

For more information on the RUFORUM GTA Programme, please visit the RUFORUM website https://ruforum.org/