Master's Degree Student Support Opportunity at MakSPH

Background

Annually, 1.2 million adolescents die prematurely due to preventable or treatable causes, while many more suffer from poor health and disability. A high share of the global mortality and morbidity burden in adolescence occurs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Adolescence is also a critical stage of life when important physical, cognitive and social developments take place, and critical behaviors related to diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, violence and sexual behavior are developed. These developments and behaviors determine and shape behaviors well into adulthood and, with it, long-term health outcomes. Improving adolescent health, therefore, is paramount for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating healthy societies.

Under the DASH Project, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is collaborating with other institutions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to evaluate interventions aimed at addressing key health challenges among adolescents and young adults in SSA. DASH in full is: “Research network for design and evaluation of adolescent health interventions and policies in Sub-Saharan Africa”. The overarching and long-term goal of the DASH project is to boost adolescent health in SAA through rigorous population-based intervention and policy research. The project is working within three domains of: (i) nutrition & physical activity, (ii) sexual & reproductive health), and (iii) mental health & violence.

Position Description

As part of capacity building, two master’s degree student support slots are available for suitably qualified individuals with interest in advancing their knowledge and research skills in any of the domains described above. The master’s degree students must be Makerere University registered students currently completing their first year, moving on to their second year in the academic year 2024/ 2025. Successful applicants will receive full financial support for their tuition and functional fees for one academic year of 2024/2025. Reasonable dissertation research costs will also be provided if applicable.

Eligibility

i)        Currently pursuing a master’s degree on a program at Makerere University School of Public (MakSPH).

ii)       A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.6 in their bachelor’s degree,

iii)     A CGPA of at least 3.6 during their Year One on a master’s degree program at MakSPH

iv)     Submission of a no longer than 4-page research concept (font type and size Arial 11, single spacing), describing the possible master’s degree dissertation research concept in one of the DASH project domains described above. The concept must have at least the following sections: i) Brief background, ii) research problem, ii) research hypotheses/ conceptual framework for the research, iii) specific aims, iv) study design and study population, and, v) analysis plan

v)      Applicants must be Ugandan citizens, and a copy of their national ID card must be attached

vi)     Applicants should be no older than 35 years

How to apply:

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

i)        A 1-page type written application letter addressed to the Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), with a subject line “Application for a Master’s Degree Student support on the DASH Project.”

ii)       A signed copy of the testimonial showing academic performance during Year One on the master’s degree at MakSPH

iii)     Copies of the relevant academic transcripts

iv)     A copy of the national identification card

v)      The proposed master’s degree concept as described above

 The above application documents must be submitted AS ONE PDF FILE to the following email address: recruitment@musph.ac.ug, with the email subject line “Application for a master’s degree student support on the DASH Project”. The deadline for submission is by 11:59 pm on 26th July 2024.

 NB:  

i)      Any application document that does not comply with the specifications described above will not be considered.

ii)    Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.