Doctoral Research Fellow – Infectious Diseases (PhD)

About the role

The Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN) is seeking highly motivated doctoral research fellows to join its Infectious Diseases Research Programme. Fellows will pursue a PhD while contributing to cutting‑edge research on HIV, HPV, cervical cancer prevention, co‑infections, diagnostics, vaccines, epidemiology, implementation science and public‑health interventions across Africa.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and submit a PhD research proposal aligned with ACRN’s infectious‑diseases agenda.
• Conduct original research in laboratory, clinical or epidemiological settings, including participant recruitment, data collection, sample handling and follow‑up.
• Ensure compliance with approved protocols, ethical standards and quality‑assurance procedures.
• Manage, clean and analyse research data using appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on ongoing studies and contribute to scientific publications.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in a relevant biomedical, public‑health or epidemiology field.
• Strong motivation for an academic research career and ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Required skills

• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Laboratory or clinical research techniques relevant to infectious diseases.
• Data management and statistical analysis (e.g., using software such as R, Stata, SPSS).

What we offer

• Funding to register and complete a PhD within the agreed timeframe.
• Access to ACRN’s pan‑African research network, facilities and mentorship.
• Opportunity to contribute to high‑impact studies that shape health policy in Africa.