PhD Scholar (Infectious Diseases) - Fully Funded Scholarship

About the role

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University, through its O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair Initiative, offers a fully funded PhD fellowship for 2026/2027. The programme is a collaboration between Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, the University of Minnesota (USA) and CAPRISA, and covers research training in immunology, epidemiology, biostatistics, pharmacology and quality improvement. Applications close on 8 November 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct research on neuro-infectious diseases using existing platforms or related areas, under expert mentorship.
• Produce at least three publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Submit quarterly reports to the supervisor.
• Share project updates and findings at O.R. Tambo research meetings, the IDI Research Forum and national and international conferences.
• Take part in IDI research forums and interact with fellow scholars.

Required profile

• Medical graduate with a completed MMed and a medical degree with a completed internship.
• Commitment to full-time PhD training over 1-2 years at Makerere University, College of Health Sciences.
• Demonstrated interest in research, writing and publication, and in infectious and neurological diseases research.
• Ability to define a clear research area and research question, with a basic understanding of the epidemiology and statistics of infectious and neurological diseases.
• Strong English, both spoken and written, shown in a writing sample.

What we offer

• Fully funded training, including research funding for equipment, materials, supplies and data collection.
• Workshops, training and mentorship, plus support for publishing manuscripts and presenting at meetings.
• Opportunities to attend international conferences and courses, and exposure to grant writing, research management and translational science.

To apply, submit a CV, a one-page research abstract, a personal statement, two letters of reference, academic transcripts and contact details as one attachment, with the subject line stated in the advert. Incomplete applications or late ones will not be considered.