Full Funded Scholarships at University of Dodoma (UDOM) 2026, MAPOCAVU is a new research collaboration between an interdisciplinary team at the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Copenhagen Business School, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(DANIDA). Project synopsis
The climate emergency is reshaping food systems, with profound change required around the world to address key vulnerabilities in both production and consumption. Climate change and related food insecurity are happening alongside other changes in the region’s food industry — including the
expanding role of large traders and processors in food value chains.
MAPOCAVU interrogates two faulty assumptions of development interventions in food systems aiming at addressing climate change: (1) the small trader market, and (2) the local focus. The first assumption is that food value chains in Tanzania and Eastern Africa more broadly are operated by
many competing small buyers and sellers—with food prices and production incentives broadly reflecting production costs in open markets. The second assumption is that climate change interventions to enhance resilience and address vulnerability should be carried out mostly at the local level. Overall, MAPOCAVU critically assesses these assumptions by examining the intersection of climate change and market power along the value chains of two key food staples in Tanzania (maize and rice), from production to consumption.
The PhD candidate at the University of Dodoma will critically examine survey data to assess the potential impacts of climate change on crop yield and maturity length using crop simulation models – in view of highlighting vulnerabilities at the production level in the maize and rice value chains,
focusing on Mbeya, Songwe and Iringa regions, Tanzania.
The candidate will be part of a larger team examining the intricate relationship between climate change, crop planting decisions and vulnerability in smallholder maize and rice production in the main area of production in Tanzania – the Southern Highlands.
We are inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for a PhD position to conduct primary research on this research project. The PhD position will be based at the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, UDOM and the scholarships will commence in July 2026 and will last for a period of 3 years. We offer a full-time “Sandwich” PhD position – the candidate will spend part of his/her time at Copenhagen Business School at the start and at the end of the 3-year scholarship.
In the intermediate period, the candidates will conduct their research in Tanzania. The PhD will be offered a course program which can be tailored to the desires of the candidate and the research team.
General requirements and eligibility for the scholarship:
a) A MSc degree in Agricultural Economics, Agri-Business, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management or related field, with a minimum GPA of 4.0 and a GPA of 3.5 at the undergraduate level;
b) Be a Tanzanian below 45 years of age;
c) Adequate scientific writing skills and experience with appropriate disciplinary theories and research methodologies including modeling, as evidenced through publication records;
d) Interest and desire to work on a challenging topic that has both basic and applied research aspects;
e) Experience (and willingness) in doing field research in rural Tanzania;
f) Skills and ability to work independently and under minimum supervision;
g) Ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary research team; and
h) Written and spoken English language proficiency at a high academic standard.
Application procedures
Applications are invited from qualified candidates to study towards the award of a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Dodoma.
1. Complete the application from the University of Dodoma through the UDOM Online
Application System (UOAS) available at https://application.udom.ac.tz
2. In your application, kindly attach:
i. a motivation letter;
ii. a short CV (2 pages including a list of publications);
iii. a short (2-3 pages) research proposal;
iv. names and contact details of two professional referees.
3. Also copy the application documents to Dr Wilhelm Kiwango Wilhelm.kiwango@udom.ac.tz, and copy to Augustino Mwakipesile
augustino.mwakipesile@udom.ac.tz.
4. Shortlisted candidates will be informed and invited to attend an in-person interview in May 2026.
5. Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.
6. The application deadline is 15 th April 2026.
For more information
Contact Dr. Wilhelm Kiwango, UDOM Principal Investigator (PI) Wilhelm.kiwango@udom.ac.tz, 0763927866 and/or Dr. Augustino Mwakipesile at augustino.mwakipesile@udom.ac.tz
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