Job Information
Organisation/Company: Aga Khan University
Department: Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, EA
Research Field: Medical sciences » Epidemiology
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Application Deadline: 21 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Africa/Nairobi)
Country: Kenya
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 8
Offer Starting Date: 15 Oct 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Call for PhD Scholarship Applications – BRIDGE NETWORK
Aga Khan University (AKU), through the Centre of Excellence for Women and Child Health EA (CoEWCH EA), invites applications for a Doctoral Scholarship in Integrated Data Science and Health Informatics, with a major focus on Infectious Diseases, under the BRIDGE NETWORK Project.
The successful candidate will undertake a field-based clinical or public-health research study leading to a PhD thesis. The research will apply integrated health informatics and data-science approaches to infectious diseases and, where appropriate, use harmonised health data including electronic health records, registries and other relevant data sources.
Where to apply
E-mail: marleen.temmerman@aku.edu
Requirements
Research Field: Medical sciences » Health sciences
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Strong background in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, global health, health sciences, or a closely related discipline.
- Good understanding of epidemiological principles and methods, including study design, disease surveillance, risk-factor analysis, disease burden assessment, and interpretation of population health data.
- Experience in public health or health-related research, preferably involving infectious diseases, epidemiological studies, clinical research, disease surveillance, or health programmes.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to analyse and interpret epidemiological and public health data using appropriate statistical methods.
- Knowledge of biostatistics and experience using statistical software such as R, Stata, SPSS, Python, or equivalent analytical tools.
- Ability to formulate relevant public health and epidemiological research questions and translate them into scientifically rigorous research studies.
- An understanding of infectious disease prevention, transmission, surveillance, control, and the broader determinants of population health.
- Interest in applying health informatics, data science, and digital health approaches to infectious disease and public health research.
- Experience working with health data, including survey, surveillance, clinical, routine health information system, registry, or electronic health record data, would be an advantage.
- Strong scientific writing, critical appraisal, literature review, and research communication skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary and international research teams.
- Evidence of scientific publications, conference presentations, or previous research outputs in public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or related fields would be an added advantage.
Specific Requirements
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Sciences, Global Health, or a closely related discipline and must meet the doctoral admission requirements of the University of Cape Town.
Candidates should have a strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology and public health research, with the ability to undertake field-based clinical or public health research and apply quantitative, epidemiological, health informatics, and data science approaches to infectious disease research.
Applicants must be eligible to be recruited and based in Kenya for the duration of the BRIDGE NETWORK project and must commit to staying and working in the recruiting country, except during approved training rotations, internships, or other project-related activities.
Candidates must not have been previously enrolled in another PhD programme at the time of recruitment and must be 45 years of age or younger at the time of application.
The successful candidate will be expected to comply with applicable ethical and regulatory requirements, actively participate in BRIDGE NETWORK training activities, workshops and scientific meetings, and work effectively within multidisciplinary and international research teams.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Research Field: Medical sciences » Health sciences; Medical sciences » Other
Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Internal Application form(s) needed: BRIDGE_NETWORK_AKU_PhD_Call_Revised_2026_UCT_MT_NJ.pdf (198.36 KB - PDF)
Additional Information
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive a PhD scholarship under the BRIDGE NETWORK and will join an African–European collaborative doctoral training programme in integrated health informatics and data science applied to infectious diseases.
The candidate will benefit from multidisciplinary supervision and mentorship, specialised training and workshops, participation in BRIDGE NETWORK scientific activities, and opportunities for collaboration with researchers and institutions across the African and European partner network.
The programme will also provide opportunities to strengthen competencies in public health, epidemiology, infectious disease research, biostatistics, health informatics, data science, scientific writing, and research communication.
The PhD will be hosted at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya, with the degree awarded by the University of Cape Town, subject to successful admission and fulfilment of the relevant doctoral requirements.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Global Health, or a closely related discipline.
- Meet the doctoral admission requirements of the University of Cape Town, including having a relevant Master’s degree, a strong research track record, and a comprehensive preliminary research proposal.
- Never have been enrolled in another PhD programme at the time of recruitment.
- Be eligible to be recruited and based in Kenya for the BRIDGE NETWORK PhD position.
- Commit to staying and working in the recruiting country throughout the BRIDGE NETWORK project, except during approved training rotations, internships, or other project-related activities.
- Be 45 years of age or younger at the time of application.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in public health, epidemiology and infectious disease research, with relevant quantitative, statistical, health informatics and/or data science competencies.
- Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills in English and the ability to undertake doctoral-level scientific research.
Selection process
Applications will be assessed against the BRIDGE NETWORK eligibility criteria and the academic and research requirements of Aga Khan University and the University of Cape Town.
The selection process will consider the applicant’s academic qualifications, previous public health and health-related research experience, knowledge of epidemiology and infectious diseases, quantitative and statistical competencies, health informatics and data science skills, scientific writing ability, research potential, and the quality and relevance of the proposed PhD research concept.
Particular consideration will be given to the applicant’s ability to integrate infectious disease research with epidemiological, health informatics and data science approaches.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for further assessment and/or interview. Final selection and commencement of the PhD will be subject to successful BRIDGE NETWORK selection and fulfilment of the University of Cape Town doctoral admission requirements.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Aga Khan University
Country: Kenya
State/Province: Nairobi
City: Nairobi
Postal Code: P.O. Box 30270 – 00100
Street: P.O. Box 30270 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Contact
State/Province: Nairobi
City: Nairobi
Website: https://www.aku.edu
Street: 3rd Parklands Avenue, off Limuru Road, Nairobi
Postal Code: P.O. Box 30270 – 00100
E-Mail: marleen.temmerman@aku.edu
Mobile Phone: +254728629585
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