OVERVIEW
At KEMRI-Wellcome, we are keen to build health research capacity in Kenya, East Africa, and Africa. We are aware that good PhD training is the foundation for a successful professional career. As such, our Phd scheme is designed to provide students with the opportunity to undertake their training in a high-quality scientific research environment. We have established robust supervisory platforms that entail supervisory teams consisting of two or three senior researchers and a student advisory committee that monitors students' progress and advises on academic, career, and, if necessary, social issues that may affect students' training progress. Our supervisory system is internationally renowned, and we are now an Affiliated Research Centre (ARC) of the Open University in the United Kingdom with the authority to supervise and fully appraise students registered with the university.
Prospective supervisors propose potential PhD projects and are mainly supported through their respective supervisor funding and other capacity-building funds at KEMRI-Wellcome. Admission to the Phd scheme is achieved by winning a partial or full studentship through a competitive interview process. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, declared disability, or socio-economic background. Interested female candidates and persons living with disability are encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates are appointed for a 3 months pre-registration position during which they are assessed for their readiness and ability to register for a PhD. At the end of this period, students are formally assessed and only allowed to submit their university registration application if they pass the examination; otherwise, the studentship is withdrawn. Registration is subject to meeting the full requirements of the target university. At the end of the first year of registration, students undergo an upgrading assessment. This assessment determines if they will continue with the PhD training, be downgraded to an MPhil, or even have their studentship withdrawn.
Partial studentships are targeted at students who are already registered for PhD in local universities and provide support for the students to spend time at KEMRI-Wellcome carrying out their research project. Normally, partial studentships run for a shorter period than full studentships.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must have already completed their master's studies and not be registered elsewhere for a Phd program. Applicants must have scored a B+ and above in their KSCE and attained at least an upper 2nd-class degree or its equivalent in the respective undergraduate degree programme.
For undergraduate degrees that are not classified, ensure your average score through the four/three years is above 60 (GPA above 3.3). Provide certified proof of the same from your University.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Studentships are awarded competitively through shortlisting of online applications and subsequent interviews.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Click on the title of a project you're interested in to see the full description of the post.
- A link, "Submit Application," will be available at the bottom of the page.
- Click on the submit application link and complete the resulting form. You’ll be required first to create an account and update your profile, then apply for the preferred position.
NOTE: ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS will be accepted.
STARTING DATE: To be communicated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 15, 2026
NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
AVAILABLE PROJECT:
Role of the Maternal Microbiome in the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance in Kenyan Hospitals