The Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya, in partnership with the Rwanda Biomedical Center and leading European institutions, is pleased to announce the 2nd call for applications for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Integrated Data Science and Health Informatics under the “Scaling Up Research in SSA Countries in Infectious Diseases” initiative. This initiative is part of the BRIDGE NETWORK project — an ambitious, internationally funded program aimed at transforming health research and response capabilities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through state-of-the-art data science and health informatics.
The BRIDGE NETWORK is supported by the European Union and the Global Health EDCTP3, and it brings together 12 prestigious African and European institutions to establish five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Benin, and South Africa. These centers will act as epicenters for research, innovation, data harmonization, and training in infectious diseases, ultimately contributing to stronger health systems and better public health outcomes in Africa.
This fellowship represents a rare and valuable opportunity for highly motivated post-doctoral candidates to engage in multidisciplinary research and training while helping shape the future of infectious disease response in SSA.
About the BRIDGE NETWORK Program
The overarching goal of the BRIDGE NETWORK is to create an African-European training and research ecosystem centered around integrated health informatics and data sciences. Through fellowships, certifications, and field mentorship, the program is set to equip a new cadre of data scientists and health informatics specialists with the skills and resources needed to respond to pressing public health challenges.
Key components of the BRIDGE NETWORK include:
- 14 Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Fellowships across partner institutions.
- Over 20 postgraduate certifications per country, delivered via online and in-person mentorship.
- International collaboration with a robust focus on practical, policy-relevant research.
More information on the project is available at: https://doi.org/10.3030/101145734
Post-Doctoral Fellowship Overview
Title: Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Integrated Data Science and Health Informatics
Scope: Infectious Diseases
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Aga Khan University – Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health)
Language of Application: English
Number of Positions: 3 Total (2 for Kenya, 1 for Rwanda)
This position is ideal for post-doctoral researchers specializing in data science and health informatics with a focus on infectious diseases and public health systems in SSA. Selected fellows will undertake high-level collaborative research, mentor PhD students, and contribute to data harmonization strategies across partner institutions.
Key Responsibilities
Post-Doctoral Fellows will be expected to:
- Lead collaborative research efforts on infectious diseases within the BRIDGE NETWORK Centres of Excellence.
- Design and execute studies that combine data science and health informatics for evidence-based responses to infectious disease challenges.
- Develop frameworks for data harmonization, including Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) pipelines, and master the OMOP Common Data Model methodology in collaboration with the OHDSI community.
- Mentor and supervise PhD students engaged in BRIDGE NETWORK activities and research projects.
- Contribute to the development of tools and platforms for interactive data dashboards and support the formulation of data-driven public health policies.
- Collaborate with African and European partners, national health institutions, and academic networks to strengthen research capacity and promote knowledge exchange.
- Publish at least three peer-reviewed articles based on the research conducted during the fellowship period.
- Engage with policymakers and stakeholders to disseminate research findings and ensure real-world impact.
Target Group
This call is targeting:
- Rwandan nationals (1 fellowship position, to be coordinated with Rwanda Biomedical Center – RBC)
- Kenyan nationals (2 fellowship positions, to be coordinated with Aga Khan University – Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health)
Fellows should be able to commit at least 50% Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) to the position, with flexibility up to 100% depending on the fellow’s availability.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must:
- Hold Rwandan or Kenyan nationality.
- Possess a PhD in Data Science, Health Informatics, Computer Science, (Bio)Medical Sciences, Public Health, or a related field with demonstrated relevance to infectious diseases or public health data.
- Have obtained their PhD within the past 5 years from a recognized university (prior to appointment date).
- Demonstrate strong analytical expertise, especially in data wrangling, harmonization, and statistical analysis.
- Ideally, be proficient in one or more statistical software packages such as SPSS, R, STATA, or SAS.
- Have additional proficiency in programming languages like SQL, JSON, Python, R, or SAS, which is considered a strong asset.
- Show familiarity with health data harmonization methodologies (OMOP or similar) and standardized vocabularies such as SNOMED or ICD.
- Ideally, have experience in federated data networks, real-world data analysis, and multi-institutional research projects.
- Demonstrate a strong track record in academic publishing and conference participation related to health informatics or data science.
- Exhibit knowledge of ethical and regulatory requirements in clinical and health data research.
- Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills suited for interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
Structure of Fellowship and Work Locations
The successful candidates will be embedded in one of the BRIDGE NETWORK’s Country Health Data Hubs (formerly known as Centres of Excellence):
- Kenya: Aga Khan University – Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health
- Rwanda: Rwanda Biomedical Center (Scientific Lead)
- Benin: Institut Régional de Santé Publique – IRSP
- Uganda: Uganda National Institute of Public Health (Ministry of Health)
- South Africa: University of Cape Town
Duration and Remuneration
- The fellowship will span 18 months for candidates dedicating 100% FTE or up to 36 months for those committing to 50% FTE.
- The position is available immediately after final selection and hiring.
- A competitive stipend will be provided, along with full access to BRIDGE NETWORK’s professional development programs, cutting-edge data science tools, and mentorship from top-tier international researchers.
Application Process
The application process involves two key steps:
Step One: National Application to Participating Institutions
Applicants must apply to the relevant institution in their respective countries.
- For Kenyan Applicants: Submit to Aga Khan University – Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health
Contact: Prof Dr Marleen Temmerman (MD, PhD – Director)
Email: [email protected] - For Rwandan Applicants: Submit to Rwanda Biomedical Center – RBC
Contact: Prof Dr Claude Muvunyi Mambo (MD, PhD – Director General)
Email: [email protected]
Documents Required for Step One
- Motivation letter addressed to the BRIDGE NETWORK Coordinator. This should include:
- A short concept (no more than 10 lines) outlining a high-level research topic in infectious disease using integrated health informatics and data science.
- Copies of all academic degrees, including from the baccalaureate level onwards.
- At least one letter of recommendation from an Associate Professor or higher.
- A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV), listing publications and accounting for any academic gaps.
Deadline for Step One Application: July 15, 2025
Step Two: Final Selection and Institutional Hiring
After national review, pre-selected candidates will be invited to proceed to the institutional hiring process. A letter of support from BRIDGE NETWORK will be provided to shortlisted individuals to facilitate formal onboarding.
Fellowship Benefits
- Access to advanced research infrastructure within BRIDGE NETWORK CoEs.
- Mentorship and academic guidance from a global team of leading researchers.
- Opportunities for cross-border collaborative research with other fellows and institutions.
- Direct impact on national and continental health policies through data-driven insights.
- Immersive training in data harmonization methodologies and real-world health data usage.
- High-visibility platform to publish and present findings in international scientific arenas.
How to Apply
Send your application package including your motivation letter, detailed CV, letters of reference, academic certificates, and any relevant documents to the contact points below:
Kenyan Applicants
Manager, Recruitment
Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi
P.O. Box 30270-00100, NAIROBI
Email: [email protected]
Rwandan Applicants
Rwanda Biomedical Center
Email: [email protected]
Ensure to clearly indicate the title of the position in your application subject line and email. Applications submitted via email are preferred.
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
We encourage all eligible candidates who are passionate about health data science and public health innovation in SSA to apply and become a part of this transformative journey.
Note: Do not include an “Apply Now” link as the application process is via email.
