SURGE Project PhD Fellowship — Host Genetics of Pediatric HIV

About the programme Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, and the SURGE project are offering a fully funded PhD Fellowship in Host Genetics of Pediatric HIV. The fellowship provides intensive training in genomics and bioinformatics for paediatric HIV research, preparing the successful candidate to become a leading researcher in the field.

Host genetics research asks how an individual's genetic makeup influences their susceptibility to infection and their response to treatment. Applied to paediatric HIV, it can help explain why some children progress differently, how they respond to antiretroviral therapy, and how treatment can be personalised and improved. This is a frontier area of global health research, and the fellowship gives the successful candidate a rare opportunity to train at the highest international level while building skills that are directly relevant to HIV research in Uganda.

Key highlights - Focus: Training in genomics and bioinformatics for pediatric HIV research. - Benefits: One year at Baylor College of Medicine (USA), four years of tuition support, a monthly stipend, and dual mentorship. - Eligibility: Ugandan citizens with a Master's in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, mathematical modelling, or biostatistics. - Location: Houston, Texas (initial year), followed by Makerere University.

The initial year in Houston exposes the fellow to state-of-the-art genomics infrastructure, methods and expertise, while the subsequent years at Makerere University allow the research to be conducted in the Ugandan setting where the findings will have the greatest impact. The dual-mentorship model pairs international and local supervisors, giving the fellow the benefit of both world-class technical training and deep knowledge of the local research context.

Four years of tuition support and a monthly stipend mean that the fellow can focus on their research without the financial pressures that often accompany postgraduate study. This comprehensive support package is designed to enable a strong and uninterrupted research trajectory.

The combination of international training and local research is a powerful model for sustainable capacity building: it develops an individual who is internationally competitive yet firmly connected to Ugandan research institutions, and who can in turn train others. In this way the fellowship contributes not only to the career of one researcher but to the long-term strength of genomics and bioinformatics capacity for HIV research in Uganda.

Application process Submit a single PDF containing: - A cover letter. - A CV. - A personal statement. - A research concept. Send the single PDF to surge.ug2030@gmail.com. Two recommendation letters must be sent directly by the referees to the same address.

If you have any questions, please contact the Program Manager at surge.ug2030@gmail.com.

Who should apply This fellowship is best suited to Ugandan graduates with a strong quantitative or computational background in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, mathematical modelling or biostatistics who wish to apply these skills to HIV research. It is also an opportunity to join a vibrant research community working on paediatric HIV, to publish and present at international level, and to develop into a future research leader in genomics and bioinformatics in Uganda. Because the fellowship is fully funded, selected candidates can focus entirely on their training and research without worrying about tuition costs or living expenses during the programme.

Deadline The deadline is March 16, 2026, at 5:00 pm EAT.