CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – MASTER’S SCHOLAR FOR THE PERIOD 2026/2027
The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Busitema University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for ONE opportunity for a master’s in the field of Pharmacology. The program is targeting young health scientists interested in solidifying their research scientific skills with focus on Quantitative Pharmacology and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling.
In the period 2026-2027 we seek to support a master’s student during their dissertation year as part of the Maternal and Infant Lactation pharmacokinetic (MILK) – Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) i.e. MILK-PBPK Modelling program at the IDI supported by the Gates Foundation, which will provide hands-on research training, and high-level mentoring to a young scientist in the area of PBPK. We will consider a highly motivated individual, able to undertake research with minimal supervision and with excellent written and oral communication skills
During this one-year period, the scholar is expected to develop and implement the master thesis work within the MILK PBPK program with a focus of leveraging the PBPK methodology to address a clinically-relevant research question. The scholarship will be embedded within the MILK-PBPK program at the IDI (PI: Prof. Catriona Waitt).
Supervision: the scholar will be jointly supervised by a faculty member from Busitema University and an expert in PBPK from the MILK PBPK program
Reporting: progress of activities will be reported to the core supervision team as indicated above
The scholarship will cover:
• Research costs associated with the duration of the program
• Tuition fees for the second year of studies (The scholar should provide proof of completion of fees for the first year of studies)
• A monthly stipend.
• Scholars affiliated with this program will have the opportunity to participate in various short structured courses and skills building organized by the IDI.
| Budget Item | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| Student research stipend (12 months) | 6000 |
| Research year Tuition and functional fees (12 months) | 3000 |
| Software License | 1000 |
| Dissemination (Publications, conferences) | 3000 |
| Total | 13000 |
| Timeline (12 months) | |
| Phase | Duration |
| Proposal development and preliminary software engagement | 1-2 months |
| Data analysis and model development | 5-7 months |
| Report writing and dissemination | 3 months |
Key deliverables at the end of the scholarship period will be:
a) Submission of the master thesis for final viva voce examination
b) Submission of a manuscript
The application should comprise:
a) a letter of application stating the motivations to pursue a research career and future aspirations. Include your mobile phone number and email address
b) A 2-page summary of how PBPK can be useful to predict clinically-relevant drug exposure
c) CV (max 2 pages) including publications if available d) 2 letters of reference e) copies of their academic transcripts
Project Description:
This initiative will support a master’s student to undertake supervised research projects in quantitative pharmacology. Each student will conduct a complete pharmacokinetic analysis using existing clinical datasets, applying:
• Nonlinear Mixed Effects Modelling (NLME), and/or
• Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling
Key Activities:
• Recruitment and selection of an eligible Master’s students
• Training in pharmacokinetics, data analysis, and modelling
• Supervised research using existing clinical datasets
• Ongoing mentorship and technical support
• Dissemination of findings (theses, publications, presentations)
Expected outcomes:
• A graduate trained in pharmacometric analysis
• Completed Population PK or PBPK model(s) addressing locally relevant questions
• Increased use of clinical data to inform treatment strategies
• Peer-reviewed publications and conference outputs
1. Young health scientists interested in solidifying their research scientific skills with focus on Quantitative Pharmacology and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling
2. The scholar should provide proof of completion of training and fees for the first year of studies and are moving into the second year that includes research
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – MASTER’S SCHOLAR FOR THE PERIOD 2026/2027
The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Busitema University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for ONE opportunity for a master’s in the field of Pharmacology. The program is targeting young health scientists interested in solidifying their research scientific skills with focus on Quantitative Pharmacology and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling.
In the period 2026-2027 we seek to support a master’s student during their dissertation year as part of the Maternal and Infant Lactation pharmacokinetic (MILK) – Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) i.e. MILK-PBPK Modelling program at the IDI supported by the Gates Foundation, which will provide hands-on research training, and high-level mentoring to a young scientist in the area of PBPK. We will consider a highly motivated individual, able to undertake research with minimal supervision and with excellent written and oral communication skills
During this one-year period, the scholar is expected to develop and implement the master thesis work within the MILK PBPK program with a focus of leveraging the PBPK methodology to address a clinically-relevant research question. The scholarship will be embedded within the MILK-PBPK program at the IDI (PI: Prof. Catriona Waitt).
Supervision: the scholar will be jointly supervised by a faculty member from Busitema University and an expert in PBPK from the MILK PBPK program
Reporting: progress of activities will be reported to the core supervision team as indicated above
The scholarship will cover:
• Research costs associated with the duration of the program
• Tuition fees for the second year of studies (The scholar should provide proof of completion of fees for the first year of studies)
• A monthly stipend.
• Scholars affiliated with this program will have the opportunity to participate in various short structured courses and skills building organized by the IDI.
| Budget Item | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| Student research stipend (12 months) | 6000 |
| Research year Tuition and functional fees (12 months) | 3000 |
| Software License | 1000 |
| Dissemination (Publications, conferences) | 3000 |
| Total | 13000 |
| Timeline (12 months) | |
| Phase | Duration |
| Proposal development and preliminary software engagement | 1-2 months |
| Data analysis and model development | 5-7 months |
| Report writing and dissemination | 3 months |
Key deliverables at the end of the scholarship period will be:
a) Submission of the master thesis for final viva voce examination
b) Submission of a manuscript
The application should comprise:
a) a letter of application stating the motivations to pursue a research career and future aspirations. Include your mobile phone number and email address
b) A 2-page summary of how PBPK can be useful to predict clinically-relevant drug exposure
c) CV (max 2 pages) including publications if available d) 2 letters of reference e) copies of their academic transcripts
She Data Science (SHEDS): Empowering Uganda’s Women in Health Data Science: Identifying Barriers, Bridging Knowledge and Innovation for Tangible Impact
Call open: 11th June 2026
Number of positions: 2
Application deadline: 1st July 2026
Proposed start date: 1st August 2026
The She Data Science (SHEDS) project is pleased to invite applications from eligible female candidates for MSc Research-year fellowships for the year 2026. SHEDS is a collaborative initiative between the African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, and the Institute of Global Health Sciences (IGHS) at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), USA.
About the SHEDS program
The increasing adoption of technologies like mobile phones, high-throughput genomic sequencing, IoT, and electronic health records is accelerating the buildup of an avalanche of data: clinical, genomic, epidemiological, climate-related, and social/behavioral data. These growing volumes and complexity of data render the rapidly expanding field of “Big Data” analysis and interpretation essential to improving health and economic outcomes.
Data Science (DS), which encapsulates Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI), provides a pathway to leveraging and enhancing these data into meaningful and actionable information. However, the highly technical nature of DS, as well as its powerful potential, simultaneously poses the risk of ‘leaving behind’ sections of the population that have already been disadvantaged. In Uganda in particular, the high gender disparity within STEM fields means that women are more likely to be left behind, resulting in the unintended consequence of DS further widening the gender gap in STEM.
This program is thus going to target the training and advancement of Ugandan women in data science and/or bioinformatics. It achieves this goal through three critical areas:
Skilling women in data science / bioinformatics methods and techniques.
Identifying barriers to women in STEM, Data Science, and bioinformatics.
Providing a bridge to help trainees translate their data science skills into biomedical and public health practice.
Benefits of the SHEDS program
Research Concept
The research concept should be one that employs data science, mathematical modelling, and/or bioinformatics in any of the following areas:
a) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.
b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome.
c) Cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science.
d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and/or Generative AI Solutions for public health problems.
How to Apply:
Submit a single PDF document including:
CLEAR copies of certified relevant academic documents.
A one-page concept note of your proposed research.
Two reference letters from academic referees.
A statement of motivation (max 1,000 words).
Note:
This is a full-time MSc scholarship. It is expected that the intending applicant is not involved in any other form of study or employment.
Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Proof of payment for MSc first year tuition is required