By George Mwangi 
The University of Eldoret has opened applications for 26 PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) positions, offering a major opportunity for academic staff across Africa to advance research and teaching capacity in Kenya’s dairy sector.
The positions, announced on April 27, 2026, are part of the TAGDev 2.0 programme implemented in partnership with the RUFORUM. The initiative aims to strengthen postgraduate training, research, and innovation in African universities, with a strong focus on agricultural transformation.
A total of 26 slots are available for a three-year PhD programme running from the 2026/27 to 2029/30 academic period. The assistantships are structured to combine doctoral training with teaching responsibilities, allowing selected candidates to gain both academic and practical experience.
Eligible PhD programmes include:
- Seed Science
- Microbiology
- Agricultural Extension Education
- Agroforestry
- Human Nutrition
- Technology Education
The programme is aligned to the ASEC-Dairy project, which focuses on improving Kenya’s dairy value chain through research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across multiple regions.
The call targets teaching staff from RUFORUM member universities who hold a relevant Master’s degree and demonstrate strong research potential. Applicants must also submit a concept note aligned with dairy-related priorities and be willing to relocate to Eldoret for the duration of the programme.
Preference will be given to candidates under 40 years and those able to demonstrate financial need and commitment to completing the programme. The organisers have also encouraged applications from women, persons with disabilities, refugees, and other underrepresented groups.
The GTA programme is designed to address a critical gap in Africa’s higher education sector by increasing the number of PhD-qualified academic staff. It also aims to ensure research directly contributes to real-world challenges, particularly in agriculture and food systems.
At the University of Eldoret, the focus is on dairy systems, including milk quality, fodder production, value addition, and climate-smart agriculture. Selected candidates will participate in teaching, fieldwork, and community-based research, linking academic work to industry needs.
Benefits include tuition waivers, possible accommodation support, mentorship from experienced researchers, and access to innovation and entrepreneurship platforms. Fellows will also gain exposure to teaching, publishing, and stakeholder engagement.
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF to the University of Eldoret’s Board of Postgraduate Studies. Required documents include a motivation letter, CV, academic certificates, and a research proposal aligned with the dairy value chain.
The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026, with only shortlisted candidates set to be contacted.
Eldoret Leo