Advert for a PhD Training Position

Deadline: 18^th June 2025

Background

Physical activity is a key behaviour to reduce the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden. If governments don’t take urgent action to encourage more physical activity among their populations, almost 500 million people will develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes, or other NCDs attributable to physical inactivity between 2020 and 2030. Several evidence-based interventions for cities to promote physical activity exist yet they remain under-implemented, with a whole-of-system approach particularly lacking, and often failing to target the least active or vulnerable groups. The CITY-MOVE consortium is thus adapting and implementing the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity in six cities across three continents: Europe (Antwerp, Ljubljana, and Rotterdam), Africa (Kampala) and Latin America (Bogota and Lima), to learn from cities in different phases and in diverse cultural and macro-economic contexts. The project, supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 Programme, has run since January 2024 and will end in December 2027. Makerere University is leading the implementation of the CITY-MOVE activities in Uganda.

Position description
As part of capacity building, a doctoral (PhD) training position is available on the CITY-MOVE project for a suitably qualified individual with interest in advancing their knowledge and research skills in the area of physical activity / active mobility for health in sub-Saharan Africa. Specifically, through a living lab approach , Makerere University is working with multiple stakeholders on improving cycling in Kampala city. The PhD is expected to be conceptualised around this component of CITY-MOVE’s work. The candidate will have to be registered at Makerere University and will receive support for research costs and a modest monthly stipend. The PhD fellowship support is for a maximum of two and a half years only, with an annual review for acceptable performance and progress.

The role

The PhD candidate will be expected to conduct the following tasks among others:

1. Support the development of study protocols.
2. Support the day-to-day implementation of the project.
3. Conduct qualitative and quantitative research including data collection and analysis in line with the project objectives as guided by supervisors. 
4. Participate in consultations and engagement with partners including the city authority.
5. Present research papers at scientific conferences and write scientific manuscripts that will contribute to the attainment of PhD. 
6. Co-draft grant applications for additional funding.

Eligibility

• A master’s degree in Public Health or Environmental Health or Health Services Research, or Social Sciences, or a closely related master’s degree.
• A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.6 at bachelor’s, and at least 4.0 at master’s degree training.
• Ugandan citizenship.
• Experience in conducting non-communicable diseases research will be an added advantage.
• The position is FULL TIME with expected commencement in July 2025.

How to apply:

Suitably qualified persons should email their application which must include the following:

1. A 1-page type written application letter addressed to the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health, with a subject line “Application for a PhD Position on the CITYMOVE Project.”
2. Up-to-date curriculum vitae.
3. Copies of the relevant academic certificates and transcripts.
4. A copy of the national identification card.
5. The PhD concept (no more than 3 pages, font type Arial 11, single spacing) describing the possible PhD research idea in line with the project interests as described above; including: i) Brief background, ii) research problem, ii) research hypotheses/ theoretical underpinning for the research, iii) specific aims, iv) research design, and, v) analysis plan.
6. Two (2) letters of recommendation, with at least one from an academic supervisor at masters training, including their functioning email address and daytime phone number.

The above application documents must be submitted as ONE PDF file to the email: recruitment@musph.ac.ug, copied to citymove@musph.ac.ug with the subject line “Application for PhD Position on the CITY-MOVE Project.” The deadline for submission is  18^th June 2025 at 23:59.

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews in June 2025.