BioGold Project is a three-year collaborative project among five academic institutions including, Kyambogo University, Makerere University, Gulu University, University of Pretoria and University of Continuing Education, Krems, Austria funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation under the APPEAR Partnership. The project will combine principles of biosorption and chemical remediation to treat contaminated wastewater, tailings, rehabilitate contaminated soils so as to protect vulnerable ecosystems surrounding artisanal gold mining (ASGM) areas in Uganda. This study will design biochar composites from locally available biomass to enhance mercury removal from wastewater and tailings as well as rehabilitate mercury-contaminated soils making them fit for agriculture. The project envisages to train and build capacity of young researchers in Uganda. As such the project has been allocated an MSc. position under Compoenent II, to support to full-time student to undertake studies in Austria. The successful MSc candidate is expected to undertake research on characterizing, optimizing biochar and modify the biochar to improve the sorption capacities.
The project consortium is now inviting qualified and interested persons to apply for nomination for the award of the scholarship. The project has strong preference for female candidates, therefore strongly encouraged to apply.
*****Eligibility criteria
In addition to APPEAR requirements https://appear.at/en/implementation/embedded-scholarshipapplication, the applicants should:
- Not be older than 30 years (women not older than 35)
- Demonstrate interest and capability to work in the priority themes
- Present a concept note to provide understanding of the subject
- Have a minimum of second- upper class bachelor’s degree in any of the
following programmes: BSc in Chemistry, BSc in Environmental Science, & BSc in Environmental Engineering
*****Benefits
The successful applicants will receive a full scholarship (up to 24 months) which includes;
- Return air ticket and visa costs to Austria
- Monthly stipend of €1000 while in Austria to cater for personal welfare, accommodation and local movement
- Research related expenses.
*****Application process
1. A complete application form
2. A one-page motivation letter
3. Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
4. A completed Master Scholarship Application Form for Embedded APPEAR
Projects
5. Copies of Academic documents
6. Photocopy of the passport and/or ID
7. Recommendation letters from two academic referees.
8. All applications must be sent electronically to Dr. Mary Kaggwa
(marykaggwa@kyu.ac.ug) and copied to Dr. Peter Akoll (peter.akoll@mak.ac.ug)
and Dr. Denis Nono (d.nono@gu.ac.ug) not later than 5.00pm East African
Time on 20th June 2024.
*****Members of staff with former students interested in biochar technology and its use in heavy metal removal are requested to share the advert with them.
*****Full Advert and Application form attached below.
Note: Only successful applicants will be contacted.