Application Deadline: December 30, 2024, 23:59 hrs EAT
Overview: The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) is reopening its call for applications for postdoctoral fellowships at the DISCOURSE CARTA Research Hub. These fellowships, available for the 2025-2026 period, provide an opportunity for early career researchers to engage in cutting-edge research, build capacity, and contribute to multidisciplinary studies in areas related to infectious diseases and oncology.
CARTA is in its third strategic phase, known as CARTA2025, and has set up two prominent research hubs: one focusing on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (ERID), hosted at Makerere University, and the other, DISCOURSE, which is dedicated to exploring Infectious Diseases and Oncology research. The DISCOURSE hub is anchored at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and plays a critical role in addressing pressing health challenges faced by the region and globally.
The postdoctoral fellowships are designed to offer a collaborative environment where emerging scholars can conduct research, engage in professional development, and mentor others. The program fosters research knowledge, capacity building, and academic growth through its dynamic, multidisciplinary approach while also contributing to the partner institutions’ research culture.
Fellowship Highlights
- Duration: 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on performance.
- Research Focus: Fellows will focus on specific thematic areas related to Infectious Diseases and Oncology, addressing regional and global health challenges.
- Capacity Building: Fellows will participate in CARTA’s training programs, taking on roles as both trainees and trainers. This process not only enhances their skills but also strengthens the educational and developmental goals of the hub.
What the Fellowship Will Cover
- A monthly stipend of $3,000 for the 12-month fellowship period.
- Coverage for travel expenses and research costs.
- No support for dependents during the fellowship period, due to the short-term nature of the program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have completed their PhD within the last 8 years.
- Applicants should be staff members at one of the CARTA African partner institutions, located in South Africa, Rwanda, or Uganda.
- Preference will be given to CARTA graduates.
- Applicants must be based full-time at the research site in the country of the selected project. Some flexibility is possible if the research requires cross-site collaboration within the three countries.
- The fellow must commit to the selected project exclusively, with no other part-time commitments, unless directly related to the research and capacity-building objectives of DISCOURSE.
Application Process
- Interested applicants must submit their application through the REDCap platform by December 30, 2024.
- Compulsory Documentation:
- Letter of motivation (max 2 pages), where applicants should:
- Rank their top 3 preferred research projects from the list provided (1 = most preferred).
- Detail their motivation for applying to the CARTA Postdoctoral Fellowship and explain why they are a good fit for their chosen projects.
- Highlight relevant research qualifications and technical skills.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include research outputs such as peer-reviewed publications, patents, or impact stories.
- Letter of motivation (max 2 pages), where applicants should:
- Optional Documentation:
- A brief description of the preferred research location (institution and country).
- PhD certificate.
Additional Notes
- Preference will be given to fellows who choose institutions different from where they completed their PhD, as the goal of CARTA is to provide a broader skill set and experience by fostering exposure to new environments.
- The DISCOURSE hub aims to create a strong network of postdoctoral researchers who contribute not only to their research themes but also to the mentorship and development of the next generation of African scholars in the fields of Infectious Diseases and Oncology.
For inquiries about the fellowship or specific research themes, please contact carta@aphrc.org and copy rkaroki@aphrc.org.
Conclusion: These postdoctoral fellowships at the DISCOURSE Research Hub represent a unique opportunity for scholars to expand their research horizons, contribute to significant regional health challenges, and strengthen the research capacity of African academic institutions. Through collaboration, capacity building, and a focus on policy-relevant, multidisciplinary research, CARTA is cultivating the next generation of leaders in global health research.
For more details visit CARTA.
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