PhD Studentship - KEMRI, Kenya and University of Bergen (UiB), Norway
Nairobi
Posted 11 March, 2026
Deadline 26 March, 2026
Healthcare and MedicalFull-TimeEntry-level(0-1 yr)
Job Description
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), in collaboration with the University of Bergen (UiB), Norway, is offering a PhD Studentship focused on the health economics of malaria interventions. The successful candidate will join the HEKIMA project, which evaluates the economic impact of post-discharge malaria chemoprevention across Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi. This is a full-time, three-year research engagement requiring significant commitment to academia and international collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct and coordinate field data collection for economic evaluations within the HEKIMA project in Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi.
Perform comprehensive costing analyses and various health economic modeling analyses comparing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DP) and other interventions.
Publish a minimum of three peer-reviewed scientific papers as part of the doctoral requirements.
Summarize and discuss research findings in a doctoral thesis in accordance with University of Bergen (UiB) standards and successfully defend the thesis.
Engage actively with research groups at UiB and communicate with project stakeholders, including policymakers, funders, and implementing partners across study countries.
Vacancy Requirements
Citizenship: Must be a Kenyan citizen (Mandatory).
Education: A Master’s degree in health economics. Candidates whose degrees are not yet complete must have fulfilled all requirements and submitted their thesis before starting; certification must be provided within three months of employment (Mandatory).
Modeling Skills: Proven experience in mathematical or epidemiological modeling (Mandatory).
Technical Experience: Experience with costing studies, health economic evaluations, or related modeling methods (Added Advantage).
Contextual Knowledge: Knowledge of health systems in low- and middle-income countries (Added Advantage).
Commitment: Strong demonstrated commitment to research and academia (Mandatory).
Travel: Availability and willingness for international travel as required by the project (Mandatory).
Engagement: Availability for 100% full-time engagement in the project for a period of 3 years (Mandatory).
Required Application Documents
A letter of application specifying qualifications and mapping them clearly to the eligibility criteria.
A personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining commitment to research and academia.
A complete C.V. listing academic qualifications and relevant experience in NIH pre-doctoral biosketch format.
A PhD synopsis (maximum 500 words) outlining research background, objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and references.
Copies of academic certificates and transcripts, highlighting the scope of the Master’s degree.
Two reference letters from current or past mentors/supervisors (not older than 3 years).
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) e-recruitment portal at erecruitment.kemri.go.ke. Alternatively, candidates can use the application portal at https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1175225. Candidates must submit a letter of application, a 500-word personal statement, a CV in NIH pre-doctoral biosketch format, a 500-word PhD synopsis, academic transcripts, and two reference letters.
