VISITING PHD RESEARCHER – BEAN METABOLOMIC DIVERSITY & HUMAN HEALTH (CALL EXTENSION)
Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya | Posted on 09/21/2026
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Job Information
- Date Opened 09/21/2026
- Job Type Full time
- Work Experience 1-3 years
- Target Date 10/01/2026
- Industry Research
- City Nairobi, Kenya
- State/Province Nairobi City
- Country Kenya
- Zip/Postal Code 00200
Job Description
VISITING PHD RESEARCHER – BEAN
METABOLOMIC DIVERSITY & HUMAN HEALTH
THE ORGANIZATION
The Alliance of
Bioversity International & CIAT delivers research-based solutions that
harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to
improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crisis of
malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
The Alliance
works with local, national, and multinational partners across Sub Saharan
Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia, and with public and private
sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a
food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition
security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.
About the position
The Alliance of
Bioversity International and CIAT invites applications for a Visiting PhD
Researcher position within the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) and
the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI).
This doctoral research
opportunity focuses on the metabolomic diversity of bean accessions (Phaseolus
spp.) and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and computational
approaches to identify metabolites and biochemical signatures associated with
human health benefits.
The selected candidate
will contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at discovering functional food
traits in common bean germplasm conserved in the Future Seeds Genebank through
metabolomics, machine learning, bioinformatics, and predictive health
analytics.
The researcher will
work across two continents: a PABRA project site in Kenya (or another PABRA
member country) and the CIAT Headquarters in Palmira, Colombia, in close
collaboration with the student’s home university.
Key Focus Areas of the Programme
Advanced Training:
Gain hands-on experience in multi-omics data analysis (Genomics, metabolomics),
bioinformatics, and AI-based in silico methods.Global Research
Environment: Work within an interdisciplinary, international team of scientists
dedicated to transforming food systems.Dual Location:
Conduct research in Africa and South America, accessing the Future Seeds Genebank
in Colombia.Real-World Impact:
Contribute to improving nutrition, health, and resilience through bean-based
food systems across sub-Saharan Africa.Financial Support:
Monthly stipend provided; travel expenses to Colombia covered by the project.
Key Research Areas
Metabolomic
profiling of bean germplasm.Identification and
annotation of compounds and bioactive peptides with health benefits.Exploration of
anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential.Integration of
metabolomic data with food composition and bioactivity databases.Application of AI
and machine learning approaches for prediction of biological activity.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct
metabolomic analyses of bean accessions from the Future Seeds Genebank.Characterize
biochemical diversity across bean genotypes.Use
bioinformatics databases and AI tools to predict biological activity and health
properties.Contribute
to the integration of metabolomic, genomic, and phenotypic datasets.Collaborate
with interdisciplinary teams and contribute to scientific manuscripts, reports,
and conference presentations.Participate
in regular research meetings.
Required qualifications and experience.
a)Education:
Enrolled as a PhD student at a recognized
university in Kenya or any PABRA member country.Master’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology,
Biochemistry, Food Science, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
b)Technical Skills:
Experience in omics data analysis (Genomics,
metabolomics, etc.) is highly desirable.Familiarity with programming languages (e.g., R,
Python) and bioinformatics tools.Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
c)Language:
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken).
d)The applicant must:
Be a national of a
PABRA member country in sub-Saharan Africa.Be from a PABRA
network partner organization and on fulltime employment.
Applications
Applicants
are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to
get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Interested candidates should submit the following
documents in one PDF file named: “PhD Application – Metabolomics
PABRA/PTFI – [Name of Applicant]”.
Cover
Letter (max 1
page) describing your motivation, relevant experience, and research interests.Concept
Note, with
information covering the topic of study/research area, background to the area
of study, proposed objectives to the study, scope of the study and methodology.Curriculum
Vitae (including
publications, if any).Academic
Transcripts for the
Master’s degree.Proof
of PhD Enrolment (letter
from your home university).Contact
Information for two
academic referees.
The Alliance collects and process
personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Applications closing date: 1st October 2026
Please note that email applications will not be considered.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.