Call for Applications: PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships at University of Ghana(Fully-funded)

Introduction

The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) is a premier Centre of Excellence for biomedical research. In collaboration with international partners, WACCBIP offers a rigorous PhD training programme, a well-resourced research environment for newly graduated PhDs, and robust support for the establishment of independent researchers in their chosen fields.

This call for applications is an exciting opportunity for aspiring African scientists to engage in high-calibre research, develop scientific leadership, and network with other scientists across Africa and beyond.

PhD Fellowships

WACCBIP is inviting applications from highly motivated individuals for two (2) PhD fellowships. Successful candidates will be enrolled in a four-year PhD programme in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Ghana.

Eligibility:

• African national with a relevant Master’s degree
• Highly motivated individual interested in the specified research projects

Expectations:

• Conduct high-quality research resulting in at least 2 publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute to the training of undergraduate students
• Graduate with a PhD degree from the University of Ghana

Fellowship Benefits:

• Tuition at the University of Ghana
• Monthly stipend
• Research supplies and reagents

Available Projects:

1. Plasma Cell Longevity Markers as Predictors of Long-term Protection Post Vaccination and Infection
   • Required Background: Strong in immunology and molecular biology
   • Techniques: PBMC isolation, Serum collection, MACS, FACS, Fluorescence microscopy, Nucleic acid isolation, PCR/qPCR
   • Principal Investigator: Dr. Abdouramane Camara
2. Structural Characterization of Key Maturation Intermediates for Structure-Guided Discovery of HIV Inhibitors Using X-Ray Crystallography and Single Particle Cryo-EM
   • Required Background: Strong in physical/biological/biomedical sciences
   • Techniques: Cloning, Protein expression in bacteria or leishmania, Protein purification, Crystallization, CryoEM (experience advantageous)
   • Principal Investigator: Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison

Postdoctoral Fellowships

WACCBIP is also inviting applications for two (2) Postdoctoral Fellowships. Successful fellows will be based at the University of Ghana and partner institutions, including:

• The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, The Gambia
• University of Lagos, Nigeria

Eligibility:

• African with a PhD degree obtained within the last five (5) years
• Strong interest in developing a research career in the biosciences in Africa
• Ability to develop an innovative research proposal that can be completed within 3 years
• Highly motivated and capable of working with minimal supervision
• Commitment to high research ethics standards
• Interest in the specified priority disease areas and research themes

Expectations:

• Conduct high-quality research leading to at least 2 publications
• Contribute to the training of graduate students
• Compete for external funding for new research projects
• Enhance research capacity at host research laboratories

Fellowship Benefits:

• Monthly salary
• Research supplies and reagents
• Conference attendance
• Relocation costs for international fellows

Priority Disease Areas:

• Congenital and non-communicable diseases (e.g., Sickle Cell Disease, Hearing Impairment, Cancer)
• Infectious diseases (e.g., Malaria, Trypanosomiasis, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, Ebola, Tuberculosis)
• Other pathogens (e.g., Schistosomiasis, Filariasis, Cryptococcosis, Candidiasis)

Research Themes:

• Human genetics
• Disease pathogenesis and immunogenetics
• Pathogen genomics/Bioinformatics
• Host-pathogen interactions
• Diagnostics
• Molecular epidemiology
• Pandemic preparedness
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Drug and vaccine discovery and development

General Information

All fellowships provide the opportunity of a three-month research visit to some collaborating institutions, including:

• University of Cambridge, UK
• Francis Crick Institute, UK
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
• University of Edinburgh, UK
• Oxford Brookes University, UK
• John Hopkins University, USA
• University of New Mexico, USA

Please download the fellowship application forms using these links:

• PhD Fellowship
• Postdoctoral Fellowship

Interested applicants must download the specific application form of interest and send their complete application documents as a single PDF file saved with the applicant’s full name to waccbipapplications@ug.edu.gh. The email subject line should indicate which of the fellowships is being applied for: PhD fellowship or Postdoctoral fellowship

For more information, please CLICK HERE