Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), in partnership with University College London (UCL), invites applications for up to two fully funded PhD studentships. This prestigious opportunity enables successful candidates to register for a PhD at UCL in the UK while conducting cutting-edge research at AHRI in South Africa.
Available research projects
Five research projects are available across diverse disciplines. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the project summaries and select the one that best matches their interests and expertise.
AHRI UCL research project summaries:
1. Project title: Multimorbidity trajectories and prediction of health outcomes in rural South Africa.
Supervisor: Prof Collins Iwuji
Research area: Population science
Click here for the project information
2. Project title: Defining mechanisms underlying increased colorectal cancers (CRC) in people with HIV (PWH).
Supervisor: Prof Henrik Kløverpris
Research area: Basic & translational science
Click here for the project information
3. Project title: Identifying new directions for partner notification for the reduction of curable sexually transmitted infections among young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal: A mixed-methods project.
Supervisor: Prof Maryam Shahmanesh
Research area: Implementation science
Click here for the project information.
4. Project title: Researching the linkages between mental health and sexual and reproductive health to develop an intervention for school learners in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Supervisor: Dr Natsayi Chimbindi
Research area: Implementation science
Click here for the project information.
5. Project title: CO-LUMINATE: Co-creating knowledge on the longitudinal direct and mediation relationships between youth mental health and social stress exposures.
Supervisor: Prof Xanthe Hunt
Research area: Public health
Click here for the project information.
Please note: Although five projects are available, only two studentships will be awarded.
Funding and eligibility criteria
The studentship is administered by UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity and is open to applicants who permanently reside in South Africa. The AHRI/UCL PhD studentship award covers:
- Full tuition fees for a three-year doctorate at UCL
- Reasonable living costs in London (up to one year)
- Two round-trip economy airfares 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
- Have completed, or be about to complete, a master’s degree (or equivalent)
- Be willing to spend up to one year in London (can be split into two six-month periods)
- Must hold a valid passport at the time of application
Required:
The PhD research must fall within the field of medical sciences and/or population health. This spans work from molecules, cells, and tissues to whole organisms, to animal and human populations – to improve global health and wellbeing.
Students will be based primarily at AHRI in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and will be required to spend time at UCL, attending seminars, postgraduate forums, and other doctoral events.
Selection process
The selection process will consist of two stages:
- Initial interviews:
All shortlisted candidates will be invited for an initial interview. Those who demonstrate strong potential and a clear fit with the project will advance to the next stage.
- Final interviews:
Shortlisted candidates will engage with their proposed UCL and AHRI supervisors to deepen their understanding of the project and prepare for a final interview. The final stage will be conducted by a joint AHRI-UCL selection panel, which will determine the two successful applicants.
Prior to the second interview, applicants must also:
- Provide a letter of support from the proposed UCL supervisor
- Provide a letter of support from the proposed AHRI supervisor
Selection criteria
Applications for the PhD studentship are competitive and will be assessed on the following:
- Candidate’s academic achievements and research experience
- Alignment between the candidate and the proposed project
- Quality and suitability of the supervisory team
- Candidate’s understanding of the research topic and motivation
- Women are particularly encouraged to apply
Conditions:
- Successful candidates must be able to take up the award full-time immediately
- MPhil/PhD students registered at UCL may not be registered for any other course (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- Applicants must complete both the AHRI and UCL application process
How to apply:
- Review the five research projects
- Choose the project that aligns best with your interests and expertise.
- Complete the 2025 – 2026 AHRI UCL PhD Studentship application form and upload the following supporting documents:
- Academic CV
- Passport/ID document
- Certified copies of your academic transcripts and original degree certificates
- Complete the UCL application form and upload all relevant documents.
Closing date is 10 June 2025
*For further information or assistance, please contact Education & Training via education@ahri.org with ‘AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship 2025’ in the subject header.