IDM-Africa fellow (3)

General Summary

1. About IDM-Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa needs more local infectious-disease modellers to generate evidence for outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance and other public-health priorities. IDM-Africa is a Strategic Training Hub that will build this capacity through Workshops for early- and mid-career researchers and one-year mentored Fellowships for advanced modellers. Fellows will develop locally relevant modelling projects and translate findings into scientific papers, policy briefs and practical recommendations. The programme combines hands-on learning, expert mentorship and sustained peer support to strengthen African modelling leadership and institutional capacity.

2. Fellowship Program Overview

IDM-Africa invites applications from early- and mid-career scientists in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for its annual Fellowship Programme in infectious-disease modelling. The Fellowship supports scientists who already have foundational training and practical experience in infectious-disease modelling to develop an applied, policy-relevant modelling project using their own data. Fellows will receive structured mentorship from leading modellers, infectious-disease experts and policy specialists at partner institutions. The partner sites are The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University; University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB) and Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC) with their corresponding training sites being The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Sciences, Kampala-Uganda (ACE-Uganda); The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Sciences, Bamako-Mali (ACE-B); and The Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD).

3. Fellowship Structure

Each Fellowship runs for 12 months:

  • One month of in-person placement at the selected host institution (ACE-Uganda or ACE-B), with intensive mentor-guided project development.
  • Eleven months of online mentorship, including at least one mentor-mentee session every two weeks, peer-learning activities, monthly progress reporting, and quarterly review meetings.

Fellows should be able to commit 100% FTE for month 1 and approximately 4 hours a day (50% FTE) to Fellowship activities during the online mentorship period.

During the Fellowship, participants will refine their research question; prepare and analyse data; develop, test and interpret infectious-disease models; strengthen reproducible research practice; receive code and data-review support; develop scientific-writing and policy-communication skills; and engage with public-health stakeholders where relevant.

For this round, we are recruiting three (3) fellows as follows:

  • Two (2) Positions at IDI / ACE-Uganda (Open to candidates who are fluent in English, including those from non-Anglophone SSA countries)
  • One (1) Position at ACE-Mali / USTTB (Open to candidates who are fluent in French, including those from non-Francophone SSA countries)

Key Responsibilities

Fellow Deliverables

By the end of the Fellowship, each Fellow will be expected to:

  • Complete a documented and validated infectious-disease model, including reproducible code in R, Python or equivalent software.
  • Submit a final project report to the IDM-Africa coordinating centre at IDI.
  • Submit a manuscript as lead author to a peer-reviewed open-access journal.
  • Produce a policy brief as lead author communicating the relevance of the modelling results to policymakers.
  • Submit regular bi-weekly progress updates and quarterly performance reports via the IDI iBRIDGE system / Virtual Communities of Learning (VCL) platform.
  • Attend the monthly peer-fellow meetings.
  • Present progress during quarterly Fellowship review meetings.
  • Present research findings at a workshop or regional scientific conference and at the annual IDM-Africa policy translation workshop.
  • Complete all agreed mentorship, reporting and deliverable requirements to receive a certificate of completion.

How to Apply

Applications to any host site (IDI/ACE-Uganda and ACE-Mali) MUST be submitted through the official IDI Recruitment Portal.

  1. Access the online portal at the IDI Careers page.
  2. Locate the advert titled: IDM-Africa Fellowship Programme in Infectious Disease Modelling
  3. Click Apply and upload your complete application package as a single PDF document including:
    • A current curriculum vitae.
    • Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
    • A scanned copy of a national ID or passport.
    • Two letters of recommendation from current or previous supervisors or mentors.
    • A statement of career goals and motivation for pursuing a career in infectious-disease modelling.
    • Your preferred Fellowship host site; ACE-Uganda or ACE-B (Mali) and a brief explanation of why the placement is appropriate.
    • A description of the modelling project you intend to develop with mentors, including the proposed research question, methods and anticipated public-health relevance.
    • A statement describing the potential policy implications of the proposed work and how you intend to support uptake of findings.
    • A brief description of the data you will use to parameterise and validate the model.
    • A letter of commitment from your home institution confirming support for your participation, including providing at least 50% protected time during the 11-month online mentorship period and support for completion of the manuscript, policy brief and visualisation/dashboard outputs.

Academic Qualifications

  • Hold a master’s degree in a quantitative discipline—such as mathematics, physics, data science or statistics—or a health-related field, together with short-term training in infectious-disease modelling. Candidates holding or pursuing a PhD in these disciplines are also eligible to apply.

Person Specification

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all the following criteria:

  • Be affiliated with an institution located in sub-Saharan Africa and within the EDCTP Association.
  • Be resident in, or willing to relocate to, an eligible sub-Saharan African country for the Fellowship placement.
  • Hold a master’s degree in a quantitative discipline - such as mathematics, physics, data science or statistics or a health-related field, together with short-term training in infectious-disease modelling. Candidates holding or pursuing a PhD in these disciplines are also eligible to apply.
  • Have practical experience in infectious-disease modelling, including having led a substantial component of a modelling-related project, particularly the mathematical-modelling component.
  • Be proficient in at least one modelling platform or programming language, such as R, Python or MATLAB, and be able to manage datasets, formulate models, run simulations and interpret results.
  • Demonstrate a clear commitment to a career in infectious-disease modelling and its application to public-health challenges.
  • Be willing and able to work in interdisciplinary teams, including with epidemiologists, public-health officers, modellers and policymakers.
  • Be available for the full one-month in-person placement and the subsequent 11 months of online mentorship.
  • Commit to completing the agreed Fellowship outputs.
  • Applicants affiliated with partner institutions, including institutions at IDI/Makerere University in Uganda or ACE-B/USTTB in Mali, are NOT eligible.


More Details
IDMA003
3
Kampala-Uganda or Bamako-Mali
Scholar
12 Months
Research Scientist - Bioinformatician
2026-10-08 14:01:12.000







Research Scientist - Bioinformatician


Other Jobs

1. About O.R. TAMBO AFRICA RESEARCH CHAIR INITIATIVE 

The Strengthening Neuro-Infectious Disease Research Capacity at Makerere University through Tiered Mentorship and Institutional Collaboration project funded through the O.R. TAMBO AFRICA RESEARCH CHAIR INITIATIVE (ORTARCHI) at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, invites applications for fully-funded training scholarships in infectious and neurological diseases research for academic year 2026/2027.

2. Program Overview

This training program is a collaborative between Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST), University of Minnesota (USA) and Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). The program provides multidisciplinary research training in Immunology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Pharmacology and Quality Improvement. Trainees will conduct research using existing neuro-infectious disease platforms or other related areas, under expert mentorship. Additionally, the program aims to establish an Infectious Disease Fellowship within the Department of Medicine at Makerere University. This will contribute to building a local and regional workforce of infectious disease specialists.

3. Background

Infectious and neglected tropical diseases remain a leading cause of death in Africa. Neuro-infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, and meningoencephalitis account for a large portion of neurological disease burden especially among immunocompromised individuals, including those living with HIV/AIDS.

In Sub-Saharan Africa:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis causes 15–19% of AIDS-related deaths.
  • TB meningitis is the deadliest form of TB.
  • CNS infections account for 12% of medical admissions in Uganda's national referral hospital, yet most etiologies remain undiagnosed.

Despite the magnitude of this problem, neuro-infections remain under-researched and under-diagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and preventable deaths.

4. Program Goal

The program aims to train and retain a new generation of African physician-scientists who will contribute to human and institutional capacity development in prevention, treatment, and research of infectious diseases. It targets highly motivated individuals committed to advancing careers in infectious diseases, with a specific focus on infectious and neurological diseases.

5. Position: MMed Scholar (5 vacancies at MakCHS and MUST)

  • 1 Position MMed Paediatrics at MakCHS
  • 2 Positions at MMed Internal Medicine at MakCHS
  • 2 Positions at MMed Internal at Mbarara University (MUST)

Eligibility:

  • Currently enrolled in second year of the MMed Internal Medicine or Paediatrics programs at Makerere or MMed Internal Medicine at MUST
  • Commitment to completing the program full-time

1. About O.R. TAMBO AFRICA RESEARCH CHAIR INITIATIVE 

The Strengthening Neuro-Infectious Disease Research Capacity at Makerere University through Tiered Mentorship and Institutional Collaboration project funded through the O.R. TAMBO AFRICA RESEARCH CHAIR INITIATIVE (ORTARCHI) at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, invites applications for fully-funded training scholarships in infectious and neurological diseases research for academic year 2026/2027

2. Program Overview

This training program is a collaborative between Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST), University of Minnesota (USA) and Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). The program provides multidisciplinary research training in Immunology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Pharmacology and Quality Improvement. Trainees will conduct research using existing neuro-infectious disease platforms or other related areas, under expert mentorship. Additionally, the program aims to establish an Infectious Disease Fellowship within the Department of Medicine at Makerere University. This will contribute to building a local and regional workforce of infectious disease specialists.

3. Background

Infectious and neglected tropical diseases remain a leading cause of death in Africa. Neuro-infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, and meningoencephalitis account for a large portion of neurological disease burden especially among immunocompromised individuals, including those living with HIV/AIDS.

In Sub-Saharan Africa:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis causes 15–19% of AIDS-related deaths.
  • TB meningitis is the deadliest form of TB.
  • CNS infections account for 12% of medical admissions in Uganda's national referral hospital, yet most etiologies remain undiagnosed.

Despite the magnitude of this problem, neuro-infections remain under-researched and under-diagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and preventable deaths.

4. Program Goal

The program aims to train and retain a new generation of African physician-scientists who will contribute to human and institutional capacity development in prevention, treatment, and research of infectious diseases. It targets highly motivated individuals committed to advancing careers in infectious diseases, with a specific focus on infectious and neurological diseases.

5. Position: PhD Fellowship at Makerere University (1 Position – Department of Internal Medicine – MakCHS)

Eligibility:

  • Completed MMed program
  • Commitment to fellowship training over 1-2 years.

1. About O.R. TAMBO AFRICA RESEARCH CHAIR INITIATIVE 

The Strengthening Neuro-Infectious Disease Research Capacity at Makerere University through Tiered Mentorship and Institutional Collaboration project funded through the O.R. TAMBO AFRICA RESEARCH CHAIR INITIATIVE (ORTARCHI) at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, invites applications for fully-funded training scholarships in infectious and neurological diseases research for academic year 2026/2027

2. Program Overview

This training program is a collaborative between Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST), University of Minnesota (USA) and Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA). The program provides multidisciplinary research training in Immunology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Pharmacology and Quality Improvement. Trainees will conduct research using existing neuro-infectious disease platforms or other related areas, under expert mentorship. Additionally, the program aims to establish an Infectious Disease Fellowship within the Department of Medicine at Makerere University. This will contribute to building a local and regional workforce of infectious disease specialists.

3. Background

Infectious and neglected tropical diseases remain a leading cause of death in Africa. Neuro-infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, and meningoencephalitis account for a large portion of neurological disease burden especially among immunocompromised individuals, including those living with HIV/AIDS.

In Sub-Saharan Africa:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis causes 15–19% of AIDS-related deaths.
  • TB meningitis is the deadliest form of TB.
  • CNS infections account for 12% of medical admissions in Uganda's national referral hospital, yet most etiologies remain undiagnosed.

Despite the magnitude of this problem, neuro-infections remain under-researched and under-diagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and preventable deaths.

4. Program Goal

The program aims to train and retain a new generation of African physician-scientists who will contribute to human and institutional capacity development in prevention, treatment, and research of infectious diseases. It targets highly motivated individuals committed to advancing careers in infectious diseases, with a specific focus on infectious and neurological diseases.

5. Position: Post-MMed Fellowship, MakCHS (1 Vacancy)

Eligibility:

  • Completed MMed program
  • Commitment to fellowship training over 1-2 years.

1. About IDM-Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa needs more local infectious-disease modellers to generate evidence for outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance and other public-health priorities. IDM-Africa is a Strategic Training Hub that will build this capacity through Workshops for early- and mid-career researchers and one-year mentored Fellowships for advanced modellers. Fellows will develop locally relevant modelling projects and translate findings into scientific papers, policy briefs and practical recommendations. The programme combines hands-on learning, expert mentorship and sustained peer support to strengthen African modelling leadership and institutional capacity.

2. Fellowship Program Overview

IDM-Africa invites applications from early- and mid-career scientists in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for its annual Fellowship Programme in infectious-disease modelling. The Fellowship supports scientists who already have foundational training and practical experience in infectious-disease modelling to develop an applied, policy-relevant modelling project using their own data. Fellows will receive structured mentorship from leading modellers, infectious-disease experts and policy specialists at partner institutions. The partner sites are The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University; University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB) and Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC) with their corresponding training sites being The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Sciences, Kampala-Uganda (ACE-Uganda); The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data-Intensive Sciences, Bamako-Mali (ACE-B); and The Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD).

3. Fellowship Structure

Each Fellowship runs for 12 months:

  • One month of in-person placement at the selected host institution (ACE-Uganda or ACE-B), with intensive mentor-guided project development.
  • Eleven months of online mentorship, including at least one mentor-mentee session every two weeks, peer-learning activities, monthly progress reporting, and quarterly review meetings.

Fellows should be able to commit 100% FTE for month 1 and approximately 4 hours a day (50% FTE) to Fellowship activities during the online mentorship period.

During the Fellowship, participants will refine their research question; prepare and analyse data; develop, test and interpret infectious-disease models; strengthen reproducible research practice; receive code and data-review support; develop scientific-writing and policy-communication skills; and engage with public-health stakeholders where relevant.

For this round, we are recruiting three (3) fellows as follows:

  • Two (2) Positions at IDI / ACE-Uganda (Open to candidates who are fluent in English, including those from non-Anglophone SSA countries)
  • One (1) Position at ACE-Mali / USTTB (Open to candidates who are fluent in French, including those from non-Francophone SSA countries)