Project Title: Mapping Biomass and Carbon Stocks in the Mangrove Forests of Zanzibar to Support Blue Economy and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Background
The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), in collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the Ministry of Blue Economy, is implementing a 36-months Climate Change Research Programme funded by COSTECH. The project focusing on mangrove biomass and carbon stock assessment in Zanzibar.
The project integrates field-based forest inventory, remote sensing, GIS, and machine learning approaches to generate accurate baseline data for blue carbon accounting, climate reporting (NDC/REDD+), and sustainable mangrove management.
As part of the project’s capacity-building component, partial research grants are available to support MSc and PhD students whose research aligns with the project objectives.
Available Positions
- MSc Students: Partial research support
- PhD Students: Partial research suppor
Host Institutions:
- The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA)
- Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a continuing MSc or PhD student with good academic and research progress
- Be registered at the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) or Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), or staff of the two universities who is doing either MSc or PhD.
- Have a research interest aligned with one or more of the following areas:
◦ Mangrove ecology, forestry, or blue carbon
◦ Biomass and carbon stock estimation
◦ Remote sensing and GIS applications
◦ Machine learning in environmental monitoring
◦ Climate change mitigation and adaptation - Be willing to participate in fieldwork, data analysis, capacity-building activities, and dissemination outputs of the project
- Demonstrate commitment to completing the research within the project timeframe
Research Themes (Indicative)
Successful applicants will align their research with one or more of the following themes:
◦ Mangrove biomass and carbon stock assessment
◦ Integration of field data and satellite imagery (Sentinel, PlanetScope)
◦ Machine learning models for biomass and carbon estimation
◦ Mangrove degradation, restoration, and afforestation planning
◦ Blue carbon valuation and climate policy support
◦ GIS-based decision-support tools for mangrove management
Nature of Support
The partial research grant may cover selected costs, including:
◦ Field data collection expenses
◦ Research logistics and field allowances
◦ Data acquisition and analysis support
◦ Participation in trainings, workshops, and dissemination activities
⚠️ Note: The grant does not cover full tuition fees.
Application Requirements
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- One-page concept note outlining:
◦ Research title
◦ Problem statement
◦ Objectives
◦ Proposed methodology
◦ Relevance to the CRG 13 project - Updated CV
- Proof of registration as a continuing MSc or PhD student
- Brief progress report endorsed by the supervisor
- Letter of support from the academic supervisor
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
◦ Relevance of the proposed research to project objectives
◦ Academic merit and research progress
◦ Methodological soundness
◦ Potential contribution to national climate and blue economy priorities
Supervision and Reporting
Selected students will work under the supervision of the Project Research Team, led by:
| Principal Investigator: | Co-Principal Investigator: | Collaborator: |
| Dr. Abubakar Diwani Bakari Senior Lecturer & Geospatial / AI Expert State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) | Prof. Ernest Mawiya Professor Geospatial / Forestry Expert Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) | Prof. Niina Kaihako Professor Geospatial Expert University of Turku – Finland |
Students will be required to:
- Submit periodic progress reports
- Contribute to project datasets and publications
- Participate in trainings, stakeholder workshops, and dissemination events
How to Apply
All application documents should be submitted electronically to:
abubakar.bakar@suza.ac.tz, cadin25@gmail.com, and ernestmauya@gmail.com
Subject line: Application for MSc/PhD Partial Research Grant – CRG 13
Application Deadline: 28 th February, 2026 23:59Hrs
Equal Opportunity Statement
SUZA, SUA and its partners encourage applications from qualified candidates of all genders and backgrounds.