The Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET) is Malawi’s premier institution in tobacco research, extension and training services. Established in 1995 and funded primarily by tobacco growers, ARET’s core activities include development and dissemination of tobacco technologies and training of tobacco stakeholders in order to sustain and improve agricultural productivity while conserving natural resources.

Responsibilities or duties

• Identity and evaluate research needs.
• Coordinate insect pest control programs to protect crops
• Design and conduct appropriate experiments to study insect biology, behavior and management.
• Collect, compile and analyze data from experiments.
• Prepare and submit experiment reports to sectional heads for analysis and follow up action.
• Develop strategies for sustainable pest management systems
• Evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics of pesticides to establish required specifications in crop production.
• Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards andior to make improvements as needed
• Propagate and maintain viable artificial insect cultures for scientific biassays and investigations
• Develop and promote the adoption of integrated pest management approaches by farmers.
• Work with other scientists on related projects such as developing insect resistance in crops or developing insect control measures.
• Monitor and evaluate implementation of research programmes.
• Writing monthly and annual technical reports.
• Prepare budgets, annual and monthly work plans and work reports
• Supervise, support, motivate, train and mentor trainee scientists, technical and field staff in entomology
• Represent the Trust at meetings as required.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Be technically competent.
• Be innovative
• Good observation skills.
• Good report writing and presentation skills.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.

Experience needed

Six years’ relevant work experience.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

ARET is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving workforce diversity and inclusion. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit and business needs.

• Identity and evaluate research needs.
• Coordinate insect pest control programs to protect crops
• Design and conduct appropriate experiments to study insect biology, behavior and management.
• Collect, compile and analyze data from experiments.
• Prepare and submit experiment reports to sectional heads for analysis and follow up action.
• Develop strategies for sustainable pest management systems
• Evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics of pesticides to establish required specifications in crop production.
• Evaluate laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with standards andior to make improvements as needed
• Propegate and maintain viable artificial insect cultures for scientific biassays and investigations
• Develop and promote the adoption of integrated pest management approaches by farmers.
• Work with other scientists on related projects such as developing insect resistance in crops or developing insect control measures.
• Monitor and evaluate implementation of research programmes.
• Writing monthly and annual technical reports.
• Prepare budgets, annual and monthly work plans and work reports
• Supervise, support, motivate, train and mentor trainee scientists, technical and field staff in entomology
• Represent the Trust at meetings as required.

• Be technically competent.
• Be innovative
• Good observation skills.
• Good report writing and presentation skills.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Master’s Degree in relevant field
• PhD in relevant field will be an added advantage