ТАШКЕНТСКИЙ ИНСТИТУТ ИНЖЕНЕРОВ
ИРРИГАЦИИ И МЕХАНИЗАЦИИ
СЕЛЬСКОГО ХОЗЯЙСТВА

Structured Double Degree PhD programme on "Sustainable Agricultural Development in Central Asia"

The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) andMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), both in Halle (Saale), Germany, in conjunction with Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization
Engineers (TIIAME) in Uzbekistan as well as the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, announce the establishment of an innovative
Structured Doctoral Programme on “Sustainable Agricultural Developmentin Central Asia” (SUSADICA)

that is financially supported by the Volkswagen Foundation in Germany and the Ministry of Innovative Development as well as the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The academic consortium invites applications for

10 PhD positions in the areas of agricultural economics, development studies and geography

for 36 months periods. Extension by another 12 months is optional and conditional on performance. Expected starting date is by 1 October 2018 or as soon as positions are filled.

Given the fundamental importance of agriculture for sustainable development in Central Asia, the SUSADICA Doctoral Programme pursues cutting edge research on the three dimensions of economic, social and ecological sustainability and creates a challenging,
collaborative research environment for doctoral researchers based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Programme intends to act as a model for higher standards of doctoral education, international networking and academic output for other disciplines and universities throughout Central Asia. Current research areas include (1) farm restructuring & labour relations, (2) agricultural innovation & technology, (3) agricultural policy, (4) environmental change & agriculture, and (5) water governance.

Students will spend approximately half of each year in Germany and the other half in Central Asia. During their time in Germany, students work with their German supervisors on their research concept and receive intensive training in relevant theories and methods. During their time in Central Asia, they will conduct field research inKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan, participate in selected training modules or outreach events and contribute to academic life at TIIAME inTashkent.

MLU is the principal alma mater for the PhD students in Germany, and TIIAME for the PhD students in Uzbekistan. All students are expected to achieve a level of sophistication that allows them to successfully pass a doctoral defence in Germany. All students will report to a supervisor based at one of the German partner institutions. The most suitable formal supervision arrangement will be determined on an individual basis. All training and research will be conducted in English language.

We expect:

1. Master’s degree or equivalent in agricultural economics, development studies,
   environmental sciences, geography, or related fields;
2. Knowledge of the agricultural sector and rural development in Central Asia;
3. Proven experience in planning, designing and implementing field research and data
   analysis;
4. Flexibility and interest in primary data collection, e.g. via farm and household
   surveys or qualitative work in the study regions;
5. Strong commitment to research;
6. Fluency in English reading, writing and presentation;
7. Communication skills in Russian and Central Asian languages are desirable;
8. Openness to integrate into international and multidisciplinary team work;
9. Research experience in Central Asia and in the proposed research topic is of
   advantage.