Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)
The Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) in collaboration with the
Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) under Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate
Change is implementing the ‘Building Biodiversity Knowledge for Action in Southern Africa:
Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, Prioritization and Planning (SBAPP) project. The SBAPP
project at MUST is now inviting applications from suitable Master of Science (MSc) students
from any NCHE accredited institution in Malawi to apply for a research opportunity within the project.
The SBAPP project is implemented with funding from the French Development Agency (AFD)
and the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM). The successful candidates will conduct
their research on Mapping the Lake Malawi Ecological Condition. The MSc research falls
within the project’s fourth objective, which aims to identify ecosystem change and degradation processes (biotic and abiotic), pressures and threats in freshwater ecosystem types.
A key knowledge gap identified in Malawi’s 2021 Spatial Biodiversity Assessment was improved data on defining ecosystem types and ecological condition for Lake Malawi. These data will inform Red List assessments for ecosystems, systematic biodiversity plans, and a wide range of management and restoration efforts. This is a non-salaried research post, however, the project will support research costs.