MSc and PhD Fellowship Opportunities at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC): Apply by 16 May 2025
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading institution in research and policy development, with a focus on generating evidence, strengthening research capacities, and influencing policy to enhance health and development across sub-Saharan Africa. APHRC’s goal is to drive transformative change by fostering strong African research leadership and promoting evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM).
As part of its Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) initiative, APHRC is offering exciting MSc and PhD fellowship opportunities aimed at supporting internal staff whose research aligns with the project’s objectives. The DSWB initiative is a multi-country collaboration that focuses on leveraging advanced data science tools to enhance health data use and system strengthening across various African nations.
MSc Fellowship Opportunity
Deadline: May 16, 2025
APHRC invites its staff to apply for a 24-month MSc Fellowship in Data Science, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or related fields. The fellowship, starting in June 2025, is designed to support interdisciplinary research in data science, AI/ML, and public health, particularly in alignment with the goals of the Data Science Without Borders project.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute an MSc thesis project that aligns with DSWB objectives.
- Participate in data harmonization and analysis of real-world health datasets.
- Engage in DSWB workshops, hackathons, and technical exchanges.
- Contribute to metadata creation, data documentation, and ensuring adherence to FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
- Present research findings at institutional meetings and DSWB events.
- Collaborate on blogs, briefs, and technical reports, sharing insights from research.
- Assist in designing, deploying, and evaluating ML/AI models in real-world public health scenarios.
- Engage with local stakeholders to understand specific challenges and co-create sustainable solutions.
Eligibility and Qualifications:
- Must be a full-time APHRC staff member with at least 18 months of service.
- Must be currently enrolled or eligible for enrolment in an MSc program related to Data Science, Computer Science, Health Informatics, or a similar field.
- Must have demonstrated proficiency in R, Python, and/or SQL, with a willingness to develop skills in AI/ML and health data analytics.
- Interest or experience in handling health datasets, such as EHRs, surveys, or longitudinal data, is desirable.
Fellowship Expectations:
- Submit a detailed MSc research protocol and a mid-term progress report.
- Participate in at least one capacity-building activity per year.
- Submit a final MSc thesis and contribute to a DSWB collaborative output such as a technical brief or dataset curation.
Fellowship Support:
- Access to relevant datasets, computing resources, and software.
- Travel and accommodation support for project-related meetings and workshops.
- A stipend (subject to funding and APHRC policies).
- Mentorship from technical experts and a connection to a pan-African research community.
PhD Fellowship Opportunity
Deadline: May 16, 2025
APHRC is also offering a 48-month PhD Fellowship, commencing in June 2025, for full-time staff members whose research focuses on data science, AI/ML, and public health. This fellowship aligns with the objectives of the Data Science Without Borders initiative and aims to promote interdisciplinary research that can contribute to health systems strengthening across the African continent.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and submit a PhD research proposal aligned with the objectives of DSWB.
- Conduct literature reviews, needs assessments, and engage with relevant stakeholders to shape the research.
- Collect, harmonize, and analyze health-related data, ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Create metadata, codebooks, and data dictionaries for reproducible and transparent research.
- Present research findings at internal and external forums, including scientific conferences and DSWB events.
- Collaborate with researchers across different Pathfinder institutions and contribute to cross-country collaborations.
- Document findings for scientific publications, policy briefs, and project reports.
Eligibility and Qualifications:
- Must be a full-time APHRC staff member with at least three years of service at the Center.
- Must be enrolled or eligible for enrolment in a PhD program in a relevant field, such as Data Science, Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Health Informatics.
- Must have experience or strong interest in using data science tools (e.g., R, Python, SQL) and AI/ML frameworks (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
- Familiarity with health data systems, EHRs, or longitudinal datasets is preferred.
- Ability to draft and submit peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Fellowship Expectations:
- Submit an approved research protocol within 3–6 months of fellowship start.
- Provide quarterly progress reports and attend at least one capacity-building event per quarter.
- Submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals and present findings at relevant conferences.
- Complete and submit a PhD dissertation to APHRC at the end of the fellowship.
Fellowship Support:
- Access to datasets, computing resources, and software.
- Travel and accommodation support for project-related meetings and workshops.
- A stipend (subject to funding and APHRC policies).
- Mentorship from technical experts and a connection to a pan-African research community.
Application Process
Interested candidates must submit their application by May 16, 2025, to [email protected]. The following documents must be included:
- Cover letter (addressed to the People and Culture Business Partner, APHRC).
- CV with contact details of three referees.
- For MSc applicants: A motivation statement (500 words) outlining how the fellowship aligns with career goals and how the applicant intends to contribute to DSWB objectives.
- For PhD applicants: A research concept (max 3 pages) detailing the background, research questions, objectives, and technical approach.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please note that this opportunity is open to internal applicants only.
APHRC is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request.
For more information, visit www.aphrc.org.
