Graduate Trainee (4) - Master's Level (Health Security) - Infectious Diseases Institute

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University invites applications from outstanding final-year and recently graduated postgraduate health professionals to join Cohort II of the Professor Sewankambo Global Health Security Training Programme. We are looking for four graduate trainees to take up intensive placements within IDI's Global Health Security Programme.

About the programme

The Professor Sewankambo Programme is a multidisciplinary leadership and experiential learning initiative established to strengthen Africa's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to emerging public health threats. It provides structured mentorship, practical training, operational research opportunities and hands-on participation in national and regional Global Health Security initiatives.

Following the successful launch of Cohort I, which comprises PhD scholars undertaking advanced Global Health Security research, the programme is expanding to include Graduate Fellows who will work alongside multidisciplinary teams supporting Uganda's health security agenda, contributing to preparedness, surveillance, research, outbreak response and scientific innovation.

Training placement areas

Graduate trainees will be attached to one of the following technical areas:

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Epidemic Intelligence and Public Health Surveillance
• Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
• Community Health and Risk Communication
• Clinical Management of Highly Infectious Pathogens (Case Management)
• Health Economics, Policy and Advocacy
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Planetary Health

Applicants may select up to three preferred placement areas.

Learning experience

The fellowship is competency-based and combines classroom learning, mentorship, field experience and participation in ongoing programme implementation. Depending on the placement area, fellows may participate in:

• Disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence
• National outbreak preparedness and response activities
• Incident Management System (IMS) operations
• Laboratory strengthening, biosafety and biosecurity
• Infection prevention and control implementation
• Antimicrobial resistance surveillance and stewardship
• Clinical preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease and other highly infectious pathogens
• Community engagement and risk communication
• Operational research and implementation science
• Scientific manuscript preparation and preparation of technical reports and policy briefs
• Grant proposal development
• National simulation exercises and preparedness assessments

Where appropriate, fellows may also gain exposure to activities coordinated through the Continental Ebola Response Hub, providing valuable regional experience in emergency preparedness and response.

Qualifications and requirements

Applications are invited from motivated individuals who are passionate about public health, research and Global Health Security. Eligible applicants include candidates who have recently completed graduate training (within 12 months) or are in their final year of the following programmes:

• Master of Medicine (MMed) in Internal Medicine or Paediatrics
• Master's degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Pharmacy, Molecular Biology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, One Health, Veterinary Public Health or Environmental Health

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

• Interest in Global Health Security
• Commitment to public health service
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to work within multidisciplinary teams
• Willingness to participate in field activities where required

Previous outbreak response experience is not required.

What trainees shall gain

• Mentorship from leading African and international Global Health Security experts
• Practical experience within one of Africa's leading Global Health Security programmes
• The chance to work alongside clinicians, epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, public health specialists and policymakers
• Participation in national preparedness and emergency response activities
• Competencies in scientific writing, proposal development and implementation research
• Professional networks across government, academia and international partners
• A Certificate of Completion from the Professor Sewankambo Global Health Security Training Programme

Outstanding fellows may be considered for future training, research or collaborative opportunities within IDI and partner institutions.

How to apply

Apply through the IDI opportunity portal: https://idi.mak.ac.ug/opportunities/

The application deadline is 29 August 2026.

Note: Never pay money for a job opportunity or recruitment process.