Entomologist

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.

An opportunity has arisen for highly motivated professionals with requisite academic qualifications and technical expertise to fill existing vacant posts that have arisen in ARET as follows:

ENTOMOLOGIST (1 POST)

Tenable at: ARET Head Office in Lilongwe

Reporting To: Director of Technical Services

Job purpose

Responsible for conducting in-depth scientific studies on tobacco insect pest behaviors, nutrition, life cycles, habitats and how insects interact with plants and develop pest control methods and technical advisory services to protect agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

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
• 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.

Key Competencies

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

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s Degree in relevant field
• PhD in relevant field will be an added advantage
• Six years’ relevant work experience.

Mode of Application

Applications including a detailed curriculum vitae (CV). signed application letters, national ID, photocopies of relevant certficates, names and addresses of three traceable referees should be sent to the following address not later than 8th May 2026. All applications must clearly indicate the position being applied for on the envelope.

The Chief Executive Officer

ARET

Private Bag 9

LILONGWE

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