PhD Degree Fellows in NCD-Related Research

The Makerere University Non-Communicable Disease (MAK-NCD) Research Training Program is a research capacity building programme based at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences, developed in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and funded by the United States National Institutes of Health - Fogarty International Centre (grant D43TW011401). The overall goal of the programme is to develop a comprehensive mentored research-training programme in Uganda that will build local capacity to address the challenges of NCD control and management and promote the use of research findings to inform decision-making and policy.

About the programme This call for applications is targeting mainly junior researchers with an interest in building an independent research career in non-communicable diseases research, with a focus on Epidemiology, Data Science and Implementation Science research to strengthen evidence-based interventions, policy and control in Uganda. Selected fellows will join a multidisciplinary training environment at Makerere University College of Health Sciences and receive structured mentorship as they develop into independent NCD researchers capable of designing and leading their own studies.

What is covered / Benefits The PhD fellowship support is for up to three (3) years (full-time), subject to annual performance reviews and progress milestones. Successful scholars will be registered at Makerere University and may undertake sponsored didactic research methods training at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in the United States, to receive additional skills development and mentorship in NCD research. Fellows also gain access to established research datasets and the resources of the MAK-NCD training programme, including mentorship from experienced researchers and participation in programme activities.

Research focus Applicants must have a concept or a research idea proposal in one of the following NCD areas: Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRD) with focus on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma; Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD); and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension. Concepts for studies that identify and validate key biomarkers and demonstrate robust machine-learning methodologies for predicting risk, supporting diagnosis, characterizing disease severity, assessing treatment response, and estimating prognosis for the targeted NCDs are encouraged. Studies that leverage multimodal data sources, including genetic, clinical, demographic, and environmental datasets, or benchmark machine-learning models against established risk-scoring systems, are also welcome. Applicants may also propose studies that use existing genetic datasets related to kidney disease, identify key genetic variants linked to CKD onset and progression, and develop machine-learning models to predict CKD risk using genetic, epidemiological and clinical data.

Application resources The programme has made the following datasets available for candidates who aim to use large data sets: the Vicinity cohort RHSP (approximately 2,400 echocardiography measurements, about 3,000 spirometry tests, and around 20,000 blood pressure measurements); the Longitudinal Rakai Community Cohort Survey of South Central Uganda, which has conducted 20 surveys since 1994; and the Uganda Genome Resource, a rich research database for genomic studies of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa.

Eligibility Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to develop and maintain a productive career devoted to NCD research, and must have two (2) mentors in the proposed area of research. The call is aimed mainly at junior researchers. Detailed eligibility and application requirements are provided in the attached call flyer.

How to apply Candidates are required to review the attached call flyer for the complete application instructions, prepare a concept or research idea proposal in one of the priority NCD areas, secure two mentors in the proposed research area, and submit the required application materials as specified in the flyer. The application should be directed to the MAK-NCD Research Training Program at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, through the official call page linked on this post.

Deadline The closing date is not specified in the listing; refer to the call flyer for the application deadline.