Smithsonian Institution and Mpala Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Mpala Postdoctoral Fellow in biology, anthropology, geology, hydrology, material science, social science, soil science or related areas resides at Smithsonian facilities and Mpala Research Centre, Kenya.
In addition to the standard conditions for Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowships, the following apply:
(1) the research topic must be in an area of science supported by the Smithsonian that is also appropriate to Mpala;
(2) at least one half of the fellowship period will be spent in residence at Mpala;
(3) the fellow must be sponsored by a scientist at an appropriate Smithsonian unit (collaboration with multiple units is encouraged);
(4) the fellow must also collaborate with an appropriate Kenyan organization.
This is usually the National Museums of Kenya or Kenya Wildlife Service. Collaboration with an international organisations in Kenya, such as the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology, is also encouraged.
The fellow is expected to actively participate in the science community at Mpala, including in research open days, field courses, outreach programmes, etc. The appointment would be one or two years. Stipends and tenure vary. Awards are contingent upon the availability of funds.
Princeton in Africa Fellowships
Princeton in Africa matches college graduates with organisations working across Africa for year-long service placements in sectors ranging from agricultural development and education to public health and conservation.
The Princeton in Africa Fellow at Mpala has a variety of roles. The fellow functions as a liaison between researchers and the administration, and helps coordinate Mpala’s outreach programmes, which include our Laikipia Rabies Vaccination Campaign, the Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs programme, training workshops and research open days. They support student groups and field courses by planning curricula and schedules of activities. In addition, they create Mpala’s main publications, including our Mpala Memos newsletter, and help manage our social media platforms.
Visit the program’s website to learn more, and for application information: http://www.princetoninafrica.org/about/about-piaf/
Science Fellow
The Science Coordinator Fellow at Mpala is a connective bridge between administration, staff, communities, and scientists. The science fellow works to connect researchers with communities by creating convenient venues for science-based outreach.
The science fellow also connects the management with researchers by coordinating institutional data maintenance as well as sharing and managing laboratory facilities. The fellow contributes to science communication throughout the Mpala community of scientists, educators, students, staff, and the public and spearheads new initiatives documenting and communicating science at Mpala to the Mpala network, particularly potential donors.
Education Fellow
The Education Coordinator Fellow at Mpala is a connective bridge between administration, staff, communities, and students. The education fellow works to connect the management with students by coordinating programmes.
They facilitate educational experiences, from internships to courses to Conservation Club visits. In addition, the fellow also contributes to communications throughout the Mpala community of scientists, educators, students, staff, and the public. Mpala and the education fellow work together to increase educational outreach by facilitating conservation and science education in local as well as international communities and students.