Fully Funded PhD Studentships

The KEMRI-Welcome Trust Research Programme, an internationally renowned health research programme, is offering fully funded PhD studentships. These studentships are funded under the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL). Our PhD scheme is aimed at providing students with an opportunity to carry out their training in a high-quality scientific research environment. We have established robust supervisory platforms that entail supervisory teams constituting two or three senior researchers and a student advisory committee that monitors students’ progress and advises on academic, career, and – if necessary, social issues that may affect students’ training progress. Our supervisory system is internationally renowned, and we are now an Affiliated Research Centre (ARC) of the Open University in the United Kingdom with the authority to supervise and fully appraise students registered with the university.

Projects include:

1. Malaria parasite diversity in Kenya
2. Metabolic reprogramming post-illness
3. Micronutrient deficiencies & severe infections
4. Sickle resistance mechanisms
5. Sepsis & antimicrobial resistance prediction
6. Neonatal sepsis molecular surveillance

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must already have completed their Masters’ studies and not registered elsewhere for a PhD programme. Applicants must have scored a B+ and above in their KSCE and attained at least an upper 2nd class degree or its equivalent in the respective undergraduate degree programme. For undergraduate degrees that are not classified, ensure your average score through the four/three years is above 60 (GPA above 3.3). Provide certified proof of the same from your university.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Studentships are awarded competitively through shortlisting of online applications and subsequent interviews.

Notes

IDeAL will cover all training costs, including tuition and research project costs. Students will also receive a generous monthly stipend, which will provide financial security and allow them to focus on their studies and research.

STARTING DATE: The PhD studentship will commence in January 2025.