Joint Postdoctoral Fellowship in Global Health Ethics

About the programme The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) and the University of Oxford Ethox Centre jointly invite applications for the Fogarty African Bioethics Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program (FAB-PDF). This is an 18-month advanced bioethics postdoctoral training programme designed specifically for scholars from sub-Saharan Africa who hold a PhD in a bioethics-related field.

The programme is funded by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the United States and focuses broadly on global health ethics. Fellows have particular opportunities to concentrate on issues involving global infectious disease ethics and advanced international research ethics, making it an ideal pathway for researchers seeking to build careers at the interface of bioethics, global health and infectious disease research.

Why this fellowship Sub-Saharan Africa carries a substantial burden of infectious disease and hosts a growing volume of clinical and public health research. Building a critical mass of African bioethics researchers who can lead ethics review, shape research governance and contribute to global debates is essential for conducting ethically sound research and for protecting the rights and wellbeing of research participants. This fellowship directly addresses that need by developing advanced research capacity among early-career African scholars, with a strong emphasis on the ethical questions raised by infectious disease research — from trial design and informed consent to the fair distribution of benefits and burdens.

Programme structure Fellows join a structured, 18-month postdoctoral training programme delivered through the combined expertise of three world-leading bioethics institutions spanning Africa, North America and Europe. Training emphasises the development of independent research capacity, scholarly writing and publication, and engagement with the international bioethics community. The fellowship provides mentored exposure to advanced topics in global health ethics and international research ethics, and supports fellows to develop and complete rigorous bioethics research projects relevant to health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Fellows are expected to produce research outputs, including publications, that contribute to the global health ethics literature and inform policy and practice.

Who should apply The programme is ideal for scholars who already hold a doctoral degree in a bioethics-related field and who wish to deepen their expertise and build a strong publication and research track record in global health ethics. It is particularly suited to researchers working at African universities and research institutions who intend to use the fellowship to advance their academic careers and to strengthen bioethics capacity within their own institutions and countries.

Eligibility Applicants must be scholars from sub-Saharan Africa who hold a PhD in a bioethics-related field. The programme is intended for early-career researchers seeking advanced training and mentorship in global health ethics and international research ethics. Full details, including any additional eligibility criteria, are provided in the call for applications document, which applicants should review carefully.

How to apply Interested candidates should download and carefully review the FABPDF Call for Applications 2024 document, which contains the full application procedure, eligibility requirements and submission details. Applications must be submitted through the process described in the call document. The fellowship is expected to begin approximately 13 January 2025, so prospective applicants should plan their timelines accordingly and prepare their application materials in good time.