I2I is excited to announce the launch of the Vector Control Professional Placement Programme.

The Vector Control Professional Placement Programme (VCP³), an initiative of Innovation to Impact and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will place researchers from African research institutes with developers of vector control tools to build skills and knowledge in all aspects of product development.

The VCP³ is designed to provide product development experience, allowing researchers to understand the processes and challenges of bringing new vector control tools to market. Successful applicants will be integrated into product development teams where they will gain first-hand experience and training in areas such as R&D best practices, business planning and product lifecycle management. In addition to training, researchers will receive personal development and mentorship opportunities to build their project management and product development skillset.

All placements within the VCP³ are fully funded, 12-month secondments, allowing researchers to return to their home institute to support knowledge transfer.

I2I Director, Angus Spiers commented, “The VCP³ is a new and exciting initiative with which we aim to strengthen links between malaria endemic country research and vector control product development. Each placement will offer a unique opportunity for knowledge transfer, and through this initiative, we hope to stimulate the next generation of African vector control innovators”.

The 2024 professional placement positions for Vector Product Development Associate with Vestergaard and Envu are now open for applications.

Senior Global Project Lead in Mosquito Management at Envu, Frederic Schmitt commented, “At Envu, we work to protect human health from the threat of mosquitoes. The VCP³ is a good opportunity to give an industrial product development experience to members of the academic sector, helping them understand the diversity and complexity of the questions that need to be answered to bring a new solution to the market. It also addresses the challenge of development timelines in the context of constantly evolving mosquito populations and behaviors”.

For more information on the VCP³, and to apply to the Vector Product Development Associate positions with Vestergaard and Envu, please visit the Vector Control Professional Placement Programme page.