The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the International Institute of Tropical (IITA) are leading a multi-institutional initiative to develop the Congo Basin Institute (CBI), which is a model for how universities, NGOs, and private business can partner in international development.

The Congo Basin Institute (CBI) seeks a highly qualified and enthusiastic individual with a background in Agricultural Economics or a related field, and an interest in biodiversity conservation to join our team as a Research Fellow. This is a limited term position of two years with the possibility of extension.  The Research Fellow will be an integral part of a multi-national and multi-disciplinary team researching the impact of trade on people and the environment in developing countries. The candidate will be based out of the IITA/CBI Campus in Yaoundé and is expected to develop a rigorous research program on the theory and methods of the ecological costs and benefits of trade in internationally-traded agricultural commodities.

 The successful candidate will be expected to work independently to manage duties and tasks outlined in the project. These include, but are not limited to the duties outlined below:

  • Measure and model the ecological costs and benefits of trade in internationally-traded agricultural commodities (Cocoa, Oil Palm);
  • Conduct literature searches and meta analyses of available scientific data and literature to understand supply to demand agricultural commodity trade pathways, volumes and characteristics, within and exported from developing countries
  • Coordinate with colleagues elsewhere in Central Africa assessing the trade in wild resources (wild meat, select wild flora such as Irvingia gabonensis), and with colleagues in other countries assessing agricultural commodities;
  • Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students;
  • Develop proposals – both independently and in coordination with other colleagues at CBI- and secure funding from government and philanthropic sources;
  • Present findings through preparation of oral presentations, scientific papers in peer reviewed journals;
  • Participate in the administration and management of the project and CBI as appropriate

Required Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Animal/plant Science, Nutrition, Biology, or related field.
  • Knowledge of agricultural commodity trade in developing countries (live animals, skins, non-timber products, wildmeat)
  • Excellent analytical, statistical and modeling skills, including experience with handling of large datasets.
  • Excellent communication, organization, personnel management and mentoring skills.
  • Ease of working in oral and written English and/or French with further language proficiency advantageous.
  • Experience working in Africa, with a preference for candidates that have lived and worked in Central Africa.

Contract Period:

Expected start of work:  October 2019 (but an earlier or later start may also be possible). The contract period will initially last two years; with the possibility of extension contingent upon satisfactory performance. The post is full-time and requires residence in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The salary package will be commensurate with experience

How to apply

 Please send a cover letter with: 1) curriculum vitae, 2) a personal statement describing research and career goals, and 3) contact information for 3 references to Christa Gomez cgomez@lifesci.ucla.edu.

Application materials should be combined into a single pdf file.  Reviews of applications will begin September 15th 2019.