Research Assistant

About the Position

The Faculty of Agriculture at Zamzam University of Science and Technology invites qualified and motivated candidates to apply for the position of Research Assistant under the project “Building Cowpea Genetic Resources to Improve Food Security and Climate Resilience in Somalia.”

The successful candidate will support field research, cowpea germplasm collection and characterization, farmer surveys, seed evaluation, and data management to identify promising cowpea accessions with desirable agronomic, nutritional, and climate-resilience traits.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork, including land preparation, sowing, crop management, phenotyping, harvesting, and yield assessment.
• Collect, label, document, and manage cowpea seed samples and genetic resources.
• Record important crop traits, including flowering and maturity dates, growth habit, drought tolerance, pod characteristics, and grain yield.
• Conduct farmer interviews and surveys to document local varieties, production practices, seed preferences, and traditional agricultural knowledge.
• Assist with seed germination tests, seed-quality assessments, and other basic laboratory activities.
• Collect, enter, clean, and organize research data using Microsoft Excel or other approved tools.
• Prepare field reports, maintain research records, and support scientific reports and publications.
• Collaborate with the research team, university staff, technicians, and local farming communities while following research ethics and safety procedures.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

1. Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Horticulture, or a related field. First-Class or Distinction graduates are highly preferred.
2. Demonstrated interest in crop improvement, plant genetic resources, seed science, or agricultural research.
3. Basic knowledge of field experiments, crop data collection, and Microsoft Excel.
4. Strong communication skills in English and Somali.
5. Ability to work outdoors, travel to rural research sites, and collaborate effectively with a research team.
6. Previous experience in agricultural research, farmer surveys, seed handling, or experimental trials will be an added advantage.

What We Offer

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• Academic Certificates and Transcripts
• Contact Details for Two Referees

Applications must be submitted through the official application channel designated by the Faculty of Agriculture, ZUST.