PhD Student, Public Health (Maternal and Child Health)

About the role

Four-year fully funded PhD position at Makerere University School of Public Health, one of Africa’s top schools in the field. The project sits within the Maternal and Child Health research cluster, working on intervention studies in rural Uganda in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF. Funded through a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation or UK MRC grant. Application deadline 31 August 2026.

Responsibilities

• Lead the field implementation of a cluster-randomised trial across two to three rural Uganda districts.
• Conduct primary data collection through household surveys, health facility audits, and qualitative interviews.
• Analyse mixed-methods data with statistical and qualitative software (Stata, R, NVivo).
• Publish at least three first-author papers in peer-reviewed journals (Lancet Global Health, BMJ Global Health, similar) over the four years.
• Take 60 ECTS-equivalent doctoral coursework over the four-year programme.
• Co-supervise master’s research projects in the cluster.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, social sciences, or a closely related field.
• Two or more years of professional or research experience in a low- or middle-income country health setting.
• Strong statistical skills (Stata or R) and familiarity with mixed-methods research designs.
• Fluent English. Working knowledge of Luganda or another Ugandan language is welcomed but not required.
• African citizenship preferred (the funding stream is targeted at African nationals).
• Willingness to spend significant time in rural Uganda field sites.

Nice to have

• Prior experience with cluster-randomised trials or implementation science.
• Publications, even at conference-level, in maternal health, child health, or implementation research.
• Familiarity with the Ugandan Ministry of Health structures and partner-NGO ecosystem.
• A first-author paper or preprint.

How to apply

Open the Makerere University School of Public Health page at the apply link, find the current PhD call, and submit through the School’s application portal. Submit CV, research proposal (3 to 5 pages aligned with the maternal and child health cluster’s research priorities), academic transcripts, and two academic references. Closing date 31 August 2026.