Applications are invited for CREATE, a PhD training programme in global health, to commence in September 2027.
CREATE is an exciting consortium of 5 UK Universities, with 6 partner research institutions in Africa and Asia, funded by Wellcome to train high-calibre health professionals who wish to undertake a PhD as a first step towards a clinical academic career. The 5 UK Universities: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Brighton and Sussex Medical School at the University of Sussex (BSMS), University of Sheffield (Ush), University of Bristol (UoB), and University of Southampton (UoSo) have established partnerships with the 6 partner institutions in Asia and Africa: Aga Khan University, Pakistan (AKU), University of Ghana (UoG), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits), The Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Zimbabwe (BRTI), MRC The Gambia (MRCG), and MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit (MRCU). Together these institutions have exceptional resources and an outstanding track record in research and training.
CREATE will support doctoral fellowships for health professionals from all disciplines with an aspiration for developing a research career. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives and all categories of allied health professionals, including pharmacists and healthcare scientists, and those in veterinary medicine, dentistry and all sub-specialties within medicine and surgery. Applicants must have an interest in global health research and successful applicants will develop their potential to become global health leaders within a structured and mentored training environment.
Fellows will register their PhD at one of the 5 UK institutions and will be expected to conduct their research in and spend extended periods of time (18 months minimum) at one of the Programme Africa/Asia partner institutions in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Pakistan, South Africa, The Gambia, and Uganda as part of their PhD. Fellows will all have a primary supervisor in one of the five UK universities and a co-primary supervisor at the Africa/Asia institution where they will based.
The scope of the research is deliberately broad and must fulfil the following criteria: 1) research will focus on the health problems pertinent to the countries/region where the fellow will conduct their research; 2) research must fulfil the criteria of Discovery Research as defined by Wellcome. Wellcome defines Discovery Research as ‘covering studies across fields and disciplines that lead to new knowledge of life, health and wellbeing’, incorporating disciplinary breath. Projects that range from the fundamentals of biology to the development of new methods, tools and technologies will be within remit. We will also fund population health studies exploring the social, ethical, cultural, political, economic and historical contexts of human health. We encourage inter-disciplinary research ideas and welcome enquiries and applications from those who have had fewer research opportunities so far, but who can evidence great potential for and commitment to a clinical academic career.
On completion of their PhD, CREATE fellows will receive individually tailored support to develop their research careers.
Applicants must be practicing healthcare professionals and be registered with a national professional regulatory body in the UK/Republic of Ireland (e.g. - General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council). Those who have provisional registration or are at pre-registration stage are not eligible to apply. All applicants must have a minimum of two years of clinical experience following their qualification to be eligible to apply. Medical graduates must be registered on a UK/Republic of Ireland training programme or be a registered GP. Those who are on a training programme will have a minimum 12 months left to complete their CCT in their chosen specialty by the time the PhD is awarded. Nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) must have a Masters Degree in a relevant field. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be eligible for UK/home fees.
Applicants should maintain their clinical skills, if applicable. Support is for three years and includes a salary, research expenses, home rate tuition fees, and training and travel costs.
Wellcome’s definition of a health professional can be found here. Appointments will be made to match an appointee’s current salary plus London allowance if applicable. Every effort will be made to match NMAHP salaries to the Agenda For Change scale.
The application is a two-stage process. The Stage 1 process is an online application form that will consider the applicant’s suitability for the CREATE PhD Programme including their motivation to undertake doctoral research training, and their vision of their PhD research and their career. Each question in the application form should be completed, adhering to the word limit. Failure to comply will result in the application not being considered.
Approximately 15-20 applicants will be selected from Stage 1, and be invited to develop a full Stage 2 application comprising a competitive PhD proposal with a detailed budget and to find relevant supervisors to adhere to the required supervision model described above. Up to five applicants will be selected for funding following external peer review and interview in May 2027. If successful, fellows will be required to take up the fellowship within 12 months of the award being made.
Applications for Stage 1 should be made via the apply button above. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 23.59 of the closing date. Applicants should not upload a CV. An Equal Opportunities form should be submitted alongside the application to Nunzia.limongelli@lshtm.ac.uk Please quote referenceITD-CRD-2026-24.
Closing date for the receipt of applications is Sunday 8th November 2026.
If you have any questions about the application process, please email us at create-phd@lshtm.ac.uk
Further information on the Programme is available at: PROGRAMME | CREATE PhD Programme (create-phd.org)
Further Details:
£45,728 to £76,582 per annum pro rata inclusive