AHRI/UCL Fully Funded PhD Studentships 2025–2026: Cutting-Edge Health Research in South Africa and the UK

The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), in partnership with University College London (UCL), is offering up to two fully funded PhD studentships for 2025–2026. This prestigious opportunity allows successful candidates to register for a doctoral degree at UCL in the UK while conducting innovative research at AHRI in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Available Research Projects

Applicants can choose from five diverse research projects spanning population science, basic and translational science, implementation science, and public health. Candidates are encouraged to carefully review the project summaries to select one that best aligns with their interests and expertise.

1. Multimorbidity Trajectories and Prediction of Health Outcomes in Rural South Africa
   • Supervisor: Prof Collins Iwuji
   • Research Area: Population Science
2. Defining Mechanisms Underlying Increased Colorectal Cancers (CRC) in People with HIV (PWH)
   • Supervisor: Prof Henrik Kløverpris
   • Research Area: Basic & Translational Science
3. New Directions for Partner Notification to Reduce Curable Sexually Transmitted Infections among Youth in Rural KwaZulu-Natal: A Mixed-Methods Study
   • Supervisor: Prof Maryam Shahmanesh
   • Research Area: Implementation Science
4. Exploring Linkages Between Mental Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health to Develop Interventions for School Learners in Rural KwaZulu-Natal
   • Supervisor: Dr Natsayi Chimbindi
   • Research Area: Implementation Science
5. CO-LUMINATE: Co-Creating Knowledge on Longitudinal Relationships Between Youth Mental Health and Social Stress Exposures
   • Supervisor: Prof Xanthe Hunt
   • Research Area: Public Health

Note: Although five projects are offered, only two studentships will be awarded.

Funding and Eligibility

The studentship, managed by UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity, is open exclusively to applicants permanently residing in South Africa. The award includes:

• Full tuition fees for a three-year PhD at UCL
• Reasonable living expenses in London for up to one year
• Two round-trip economy flights between South Africa and the UK
• UCL bench fees
• Living costs in Durban, South Africa, for two years

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be permanently domiciled in South Africa at the time of application
• Hold or be about to complete a master’s degree (or equivalent)
• Be willing to spend up to one year in London (which can be split into two six-month periods)
• Possess a valid passport at the time of application
• Have research interests within medical sciences and/or population health, covering topics from molecular and cellular biology to human populations aimed at improving global health and wellbeing

Research Location and Experience

Students will primarily be based at AHRI’s research facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They are required to spend time at UCL for academic seminars, postgraduate forums, and doctoral events, enhancing their research skills and networks.

Selection Process

The selection procedure consists of two stages:

1. Initial Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed to assess their potential and fit for the project. Successful candidates will move to the final stage.
2. Final Interviews: Candidates will meet with their proposed UCL and AHRI supervisors to deepen project understanding and participate in a joint AHRI-UCL panel interview that will select the final two awardees.

Additional Requirements for Final Stage

• Submission of letters of support from both the proposed UCL and AHRI supervisors.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence and prior research experience
• Alignment with the selected project and its objectives
• Quality and expertise of the supervisory team
• Demonstrated understanding of the research topic and candidate motivation
• Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Conditions of Award

• Awardees must commence full-time study immediately upon acceptance
• UCL MPhil/PhD students cannot be registered for any other undergraduate or postgraduate course simultaneously
• Applicants must complete both AHRI and UCL application processes successfully

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should:

1. Review the five research projects in detail
2. Select the project best aligned with their academic interests and experience
3. Complete the AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship application form, attaching the following:
   • Academic CV
   • Passport or ID document
   • Certified copies of academic transcripts and original degree certificates
4. Complete the UCL application form, uploading all required documents
5. Submit applications by the deadline: 10 June 2025

For further information or assistance, candidates may contact Dr Kamini Gounder via email at [email protected] with the subject line “AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship 2025.”

This unique collaboration offers aspiring researchers the chance to advance their careers through world-class training and field-leading research addressing critical health challenges in Africa and beyond.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.