Deadline:
June 10, 2026
Location(s)
South Africa United Kingdom
Durban, London
Overview
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.
Details
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
2. Project title: Defining mechanisms underlying increased colorectal cancers (CRC) in people with HIV (PWH).
- Supervisor: Prof Henrik Kløverpris
- Research area: Basic & translational science
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
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
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
About AHRI
The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is a multidisciplinary, independent research institute based across two sites in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Our goal is to become a source of fundamental discoveries into the susceptibility, transmission and cure of HIV, TB and related diseases. We also seek ways to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
To achieve this, we bring together leading researchers from different fields, use cutting edge science to improve people’s health, and help to train the next generation of African scientists.
Our research is truly collaborative: we work with over 60 academic and clinical institutions in South Africa, and elsewhere in Africa and the world.
AHRI’s major funders are Wellcome Trust and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Our academic partners are the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and University College London.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Applicants must:
- Be domiciled in South Africa at the time of application.
- Hold a letter of recommendation from a proposed supervisor at UCL*
- Be working with AHRI already or hold an approved letter of support to complete a PhD at AHRI*
- Be willing to stay in London for up to one year during their PhD studies. This time can be split into two periods of six months if required.
Women are particularly encouraged to apply.
* For further information or assistance with identifying an AHRI supervisor and letter of recommendation from UCL, please contact Aruna Sevakram via education@ahri.org with ‘AHRI/UCL PhD Studentship” in the subject header.
Dates
Deadline: June 10, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
The PhD Studentship will fund:
- All fees for a three-year doctorate at UCL per year.
- Two round-trip economy air fares to and from SA to UK.
- Support for reasonable London living costs for up to one year.
- UCL Bench fees.
- Support for Durban living costs for two years.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
