Call for applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Cape Town
Call for applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Cape Town “Scaling Up Research in SSA Countries in Infectious Diseases: African-European Training Network in Integrated Health Informatics and Data Sciences – BRIDGE NETWORK Project” Background About the BRIDGE NETWORK Project Project details: https://doi.org/10.3030/101145734 Home – BRIDGE NETWORK BRIDGE NETWORK is a consortium of 12 leading African and European institutions aiming to train the next generation of experts in integrated health informatics and data sciences applied to infectious diseases domain. Jointly funded by the European Union and the Global Health EDCTP3 , the program is led by Ghent University and aims to establish six BRIDGE NETWORK Nodes (BNNs) in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Benin, Ethiopia, and South Africa. These BNNs will serve as data hubs for cutting-edge research, world-class training in health data harmonization and analytics, and innovative solutions to tackle infectious diseases that continue to claim millions of lives across the African continent. The BRIDGE NETWORK Training Project provides: · Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships training to 14 experts who will lead innovative research in data sciences bridged to health informatics and applied to infectious diseases. · Postgraduate Certifications awarding up to 20 certifications per participating country through a mix of online learning and practical field mentorship, and world-class collaboration by partnering with renowned worldwide institutions. Application fields Title: Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Integrated Data Sciences and Health Informatics (Scope: Infectious Diseases) Language of application All applications MUST be submitted in English. Degree awarding institution University of Cape Town (UCT), Western Cape, South Africa Target group: Motivated Post-Doctoral Fellows specializing in infectious diseases. The fellow will undertake research on leveraging data sciences to address significant infectious disease challenges in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and will mentor PhD students within the BRIDGE NETWORK. This position emphasizes data harmonization, analytical method development, and collaborative research. This fellowship is ideal for candidates passionate about applying advanced data science methodologies to real-world health data from SSA and excited to lead innovative, data-driven solutions in infectious disease research. Number of scholarships: One post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Cape Town (UCT) currently available Eligibility Criteria 1. Should be a resident or citizen of one of the participating BRIDGE Network countries at the time of the application (Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, Benin, Uganda, Ethiopia) 2. Should commit to stay and work in South Africa during the award period, with potential travel to other BRIDGE NETWORK countries 3. Must have a doctoral degree obtained within the last 5 years in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical informatics, or an aligned medical, computational or information sciences discipline 4. Must fulfil the requirements of admission at UCT 5. Must have a passport or be willing and eligible to apply for one 6. Available to dedicate at least 50% of FTE (up to 100%) of time to the fellowship, for the equivalent of 18 months full-time duration, or up to 36 months part-time. 7. Strong analytical skills with demonstrated experience in data harmonization, data engineering and statistical analysis. 8. Coding proficiency in statistical packages and ideally also in SQL, python and other coding languages 9. Demonstrate a record of scholarly research, including publications and conference presentations in BRIDGE NETWORK focus areas. 10. Experience with ethical and regulatory aspects of clinical and health data management would be an asset 11. Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate across disciplines, institutions, and international partners. Key Responsibilities 12. Lead and conduct collaborative research on infectious disease topics within the BRIDGE NETWORK nodes. 13. Support the host institution’s collaboration with government to evolve routine information systems to support both service delivery and research. 14. Mentor PhD students and provide supervision on BRIDGE NETWORK activities within the SSA BRIDGE NETWORK Nodes (BNNs) 15. Collaborate with local health institutions, European partners, data sciences projects and other stakeholders to ensure knowledge exchange and to strengthen the local research capacity. 16. Generate scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and disseminate research findings at international conferences 17. Support the creation of interactive data dashboards and dissemination strategies to inform health policies and public health interventions. 18. Steward BRIDGE journal clubs together with the other post-doctoral fellows in the BRIDGE NETWORK How to apply The application process contains two steps – First step: Applicants must apply to Centre for Integrated Data and Epidemiological Research (CIDER) at UCT (Contact: Dr Meg Osler meg.osler@uct.ac.za ) o Documents to provide while applying for this first step: – Motivation letter to the BRIDGE NETWORK leads, specifying -The area of interest for your post-doctoral research, ideally a high-level topic title (with 10 lines maximum concept idea) in the area of infectious diseases where you leverage combined health informatics skills and data sciences techniques or potentially a topic aligned with one of the focus areas of CIDER. – Copies of academic degrees (from baccalaureate) – 2 letters of recommendation from the institutions attended by the applicant – Curriculum vitae including a list of scientific publications and justification of any career trajectory gaps Application Deadline for the First step: 9th July 2026. – Second step: o The BRIDGE NETWORK reserves the right of final pre-selection. Only pre-selected candidates are asked to enter into a further selection process for the funded fellowship. o The selected candidate if they accept the funding, applies to the host institution for admission as a post-doctoral fellow, which can begin as soon as acceptance is received. What we offer · We offer a highly competitive fellowship stipend for the duration of the fellowship, pro-rata to the level of effort (50%-100%). · Opportunities for advanced training and professional development within the BRIDGE NETWORK program · Access to mentorship from a diverse, international team of experts · Opportunities to work in Country Health Data Hubs across SSA and collaborate with European research institutions.
Viola Chepkurui
BRIDGE NETWORK – Post-doctoral fellow Viola Chepkurui is a public health researcher whose work sits at the intersection of epidemiology and evidence-based health policy. She uses real-world health data to answer policy-relevant questions and to strengthen how health systems generate and use information for decision-making. Her interests span the use of routine health information system and population data sources to translate information into actionable evidence that support equitable access to health, improve service delivery and improve health outcomes. Her work has consistently been grounded in quantitative methods and an applied understanding of how data move from point of care to actionable insights for policymakers. She obtained her Master’s degree in Public Health (Epidemiology) at the University of Cape Town, where she developed competence in infectious disease epidemiology, study design, biostatistics and critical appraisal of scientific literature. She also holds a BSc. in Nursing and Public Health from Kenyatta University, providing a strong foundation in clinical practice, community health, disease prevention and health promotion. Her experience spans public health and vaccinology research, evidence synthesis, clinical care and teaching, with a growing focus on data-driven health systems strengthening. In research settings, she has contributed to developing research protocols, coordinating data collection, strengthening data quality processes, and conducting epidemiological analyses that answer program-relevant questions. She has been particularly interested in improving the completeness, timeliness and accuracy of routine data sources, including medical records and vital registration. She aims to produce high-quality, implementation-relevant evidence by using modern analytical methods to analyze health data. Her current research interest is in strengthening immunization programmes in Africa by using routine data to improve vaccine access across different population groups. Institution/Affiliation: University of Cape Town
Call for PHD Applications
Call for PhD Scholarship Applications “Scaling Up Research in SSA Countries in Infectious Diseases: African-European Training Network in Integrated Health Informatics and Data Sciences – BRIDGE NETWORK Project” Background About the BRIDGE NETWORK Program Project details: https://doi.org/10.3030/101145734 BRIDGE NETWORK is a consortium of 12 leading African and European institutions aiming to train the next generation of experts in integrated health informatics and data sciences applied to infectious diseases domain. Jointly funded by the European Union and the Global Health EDCTP3, the program is coordinated by Ghent University and aims to establish five Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Benin, and South Africa. These CoEs will serve as data hubs for cutting-edge research, world-class training in health data harmonization and analytics, and innovative solutions to tackle infectious diseases that continue to claim millions of lives across the African continent. The BRIDGE NETWORK Training Program will provide: · Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships training to 14 experts who will lead innovative research in data sciences bridged to health informatics and applied to infectious diseases. · Postgraduate Certifications awarding at least 20 certifications per participating country through a mix of online learning and practical field mentorship, and world-class collaboration by partnering with renowned worldwide institutions. Application fields Title: Doctoral Scholarship in Integrated Data Science and Health Informatics (Research PhD) (Major: Infectious Diseases) Language of application All applications MUST be submitted in English. Degree awarding institutions University of Rwanda (in partnership with Rwanda Biomedical Centre – RBC) Target group: Graduates and postgraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa with a master’s degree who want to pursue studies in a new innovative PhD program combining data science techniques and health informatics applied to infectious diseases, and motivated to work and drive innovation and resilience in the region’s health systems in their home country and in sub-Saharan Africa in general. Number of scholarships: One (01) Eligibility criteria – To be eligible, applicants: 1. Must never have been enrolled in another PhD program at the date of their recruitment 2. Should be a resident of Kenya at the time of Application. 3. Should commit to stay and work in Kenya during the project period, however training rotations or internships are allowed in BRIDGE NETWORK Countries. 4. Must have a master’s degree in data sciences, Information Technology, or Health Sciences. 5. Must fulfill the requirements of admission in the PhD awarding university – University of Rwanda 6. Be not older than 45 years. How to apply The application process contains two steps – First step: o Applicants must send applications to Agha Khan University Kenya – Center for Child, Women and Reproductive Health (Contact: Prof Dr Marleen Temmerman, MD, PhD -Director. E-mail: marleen.temmerman@aku.edu) o Documents to provide while applying for this first step: · Motivation letter to the BRIDGE NETWORK Coordinator, specifying -The university chosen for PhD award -Please read the degree awarding university regulations and PhD admission requirements upfront (mandatory) -The area of interest for your PhD research, ideally a high-level topic title (with 10 lines maximum concept idea) in the area of infectious disease where you leverage combined health informatics skills and data sciences techniques (asset). · Copies of academic degrees (from baccalaureate) · Certified copies of academic transcripts (from the baccalaureate). Please supply the official explanation of the grading system if used. · Three letters of recommendation (from at least Associate Professors) from the institutions attended by the applicant · Certified copy of the birth certificate · Curriculum vitae including when applicable, a list of scientific publications and justify any trajectory gap in CV if any. Application Deadline for the First step: 27th March 2026. – Second step: o BRIDGE NETWORK reserves the right of final pre-selection. Only the pre- selected candidate will be asked to register themselves to the chosen university (with supporting letter from BRIDGE NETWORK). University Admission Application Deadline: 31st March 2026. Duration and Commencement PhD programme is generally up to three years (with possible 6 months extension, maximum and exceptionally twice) and is usually starting as soon as the admission is guaranteed. Prof Dr Claude MuvunyiMambo, MD, PhDDirector GeneralRwanda Biomedical Center -RBCBRIDGE NETWORK Project -Scientific Lead (Work Package -WP2, Lead) E-mail: claude.muvunyi@rbc.gov.rw DOWNLOAD PHD ADVERT Share this page→ Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email
Ebola in Uganda
EBOLA OUTBREAK IN UGANDA ARTICLE Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
WP7 Lead – UNIPH – Dr. Ario Riolexus Alex
WORK PACKAGE 7 LEAD: The Uganda National Institute of Public (UNIPH) Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario is an Associate Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, a Medical Doctor, and a Public Health Specialist. He has worked in various capacities within the Government of Uganda and affiliated agencies, including as Hospital Superintendent, District Health Officer, Health Advisor under the Health Sector Support Programme at the Ministry of Health, and Care and Treatment Manager in the Ministry of Health’s STD/AIDS Control Programme. As WP7 Coordinator (Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation), he coordinates activities related to the dissemination and communication of BRIDGE Network outputs. His role supports the planning and implementation of dissemination actions to ensure that project results, including training and research outputs, are shared with relevant stakeholders in line with the project’s dissemination objectives Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario currently supporting projects implemented by BRIDGE NETWORK as a WP7 Coordinator
WP6 lead – EPHI – Negga Asamene Abera
WORK PACKAGE 6 LEAD: The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) Mr. Negga Asamene Abera Mr.Negga Asamene Abera is a Work Package 6 Coordinator. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical laboratory technology. MPH infield Epidemiology and MSc in tropical and infectious diseases, and he brings extensive experience coordinating and supporting of operational research’s, Public Health emergency management, medical microbiology surveillance systems and other health-related initiatives across diverse settings. Since 2013. He has worked with multidisciplinary teams in program planning, stakeholder engagement, reporting, and project implementation to ensure successful delivery of objectives and measurable impact.He coordinates and manages project activities, including planning, monitoring, budgeting, and reporting mostly with US Center for diseases control and prevention, World Health organizations and African CDC. His role involves working closely with stakeholders, partners, and community structures to support program goals. I also lead data collection, analysis, and documentation processes, ensuring high-quality deliverables, donor compliance, and timely execution of tasks as agreed. Additionally, he provides capacity-building support, facilitate trainings, and contribute to the national research agenda particularly on diagnostic microbiology scientific communication and other relevant topics He is currently supporting projects implemented by BRIDGE NETWORK as a WP6 Coordinator
WP5 lead – Andrew Boulle and Meg Osler
WORK PACKAGE 5 LEAD: Andrew Boulle and Meg Osler Andrew Boulle is a public health physician working for the provincial health services in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. He is also a Professor of Public Health Medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT). He has worked on various aspects of health information systems, data integration and observational epidemiology for the past thirty years. He provides technical leadership for health data integration for the Western Cape Health Information Exchange and Provincial Health Data Centre, teach public health to medical students and registrars, and lead a research group which focuses on HIV and TB cohort epidemiology, as well as context-appropriate information systems development. Within the BRIDGE NETWORK, He co-lead for the University of Cape Town component. He is based in Cape Town, South Africa Meg Osler Holds a PhD in Public Health and has over 22 years’ experience leading monitoring and evaluation systems, with 19 years focused on the development and implementation of digital health information systems. She currently works for both the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the Western Cape government department of Health in South Africa. Over the last two decades, she has served as a consultant to the World Health Organization, contributing to expert panels on HIV, TB and mother and child health monitoring guidelines as well as guidelines for the transition of health facilities from paper-based to digital systems. Regional work in Southern Africa included leading the development of HIV and TB software scaled up in lower-income country settings as a bridge to online systems. In her current role with the Western Cape Provincial Health Data Centre, she oversees clinical reporting requirements for the HIV and TB programmes and works closely with the health services to promote the accurate and impactful use of data to improve services delivery and patient care. She collaborates extensively with the provincial compliance and auditing teams, data scientists, and the primary health care services to strengthen data tools, data use and health outcomes. Her professional interests include the development of context-appropriate health information systems, with a particular focus on infectious disease epidemiology and population health surveillance. Within the BRIDGE NETWORK, she is co-lead for the University of Cape Town component, working alongside other African country leads to support the holistic development of future public health leaders, particularly in data science, health informatics and infectious disease. She is based at the University of Cape Town, South Africa
WP4 lead – Marleen Temmerman
WORK PACKAGE 4 LEAD: Prof. Marleen Temmerman Prof. Marleen Temmerman – Work Package 4 Coordinator (Quality Assurance and Evaluation) is a globally recognized leader in women’s, adolescent, and child health and rights, with extensive experience in academic research, clinical practice, policy development, and global health diplomacy. She holds degrees in Medicine, Tropical Medicine, Public Health, and a PhD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Her career spans leadership roles in academia, government, and international organizations, including serving as Director of Reproductive Health and Research at WHO and as a Senator in the Belgian Parliament. She has published over 600 scientific papers (H-index >100) and mentored more than 60 PhD students worldwide. As WP4 Coordinator, she leads the Quality Assurance and Evaluation work package, ensuring the highest standards in curriculum development and training programs. Her role includes defining evaluation criteria, implementing continuous monitoring, collecting and analyzing feedback, and driving improvements in program design and delivery. She oversees the development of key performance metrics and periodic program reviews to guarantee impactful and sustainable outcomes. She is currently based at the Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya, where she serves as Director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, and AKU UNESCO Chair on Youth Leadership in Science, Health, Gender, and Education. She serves as the WP 4 Coordinator under the BRIDGE NETWORK
WP3 lead – EdenceHealth – Lars Halvorsen
WORK PACKAGE 3 LEAD: EdenceHealth Lars S. Halvorsen Lars S. Halvorsen holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Mathematics, and he brings over 30 years of experience leading IT, data, and healthcare technology initiatives across international research, pharmaceutical, and eHealth settings. Since 2019, as Founder and Managing Partner of edenceHealth NV, he has worked with multidisciplinary teams to design and deliver advanced Real World Evidence (RWE) solutions. His background includes many years as a Senior Developer, IT architect and technical project manager, as well as extensive entrepreneurial experience supporting complex data, analytics, and health innovation projects. He leads and coordinates the design, implementation, and optimization of RWE and health data initiatives, including OMOP CDM transformations, federated analytics, and large scale data harmonization efforts. His role involves working closely with partners, research networks, and technical teams to ensure high quality architecture, compliant workflows, and actionable insights. He also guides ETL development, supports regulatory aligned system implementations, and provides expertise in OHDSI tools, project leadership, and strategic planning to help organizations achieve impactful, data driven healthcare outcomes. He is currently supporting projects implemented by BRIDGE NETWORK as a WP3 Coordinator
WP2 lead – RBC-RW – Prof. Claude Muvunyi
WORK PACKAGE 2 LEAD: Rwanda Biomedical Center (Rwanda) Prof. Claude Muvunyi PROF. CLAUDE MAMBO MUVUNYI is a Professor of Clinical Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine and the Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Medicine from the University of Rwanda, a specialization and PhD in Clinical Microbiology from the University of Ghent (Belgium), and a Master’s degree in Medical Virology from the University of Manchester (UK). He brings over 15 years of experience in scientific leadership, public health research, and health systems strengthening at national, regional, and international levels, with a strong focus on infectious diseases, laboratory medicine, and research capacity development in Sub-Saharan Africa. As scientific Lead for the BRIDGE Project, he provides strategic scientific oversight to ensure the project’s objectives are met by scaling up high-quality research and advanced academic training in infectious diseases, integrated health informatics, and data sciences. His role includes steering scientific priorities and guiding the scientific direction of PhD and postdoctoral training programs, ensuring alignment with African public health priorities, and promoting excellence in research design, data governance, and ethical standards. He supports the integration of laboratory science, genomics, surveillance data, and digital health platforms to strengthen evidence generation and translational research. He also contributes to mentorship frameworks, institutional capacity strengthening, and the establishment and sustainability of Centres of Excellence in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is a Scientific Lead within the BRIDGE Network, working across the African–European consortium of universities, research institutes, and public health institutions to advance training, research, and innovation in infectious diseases, health informatics, and data science, with the goal of strengthening resilient, data-driven health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
