DIDIDA consortium is looking for PhD students based in Kenya

This PhD research project will involve development and evaluation of a highly sensitive, low cost and easy-to-use DNA-based test for malaria and other common pathogens such as typhoid and non-typhoidal fever that can be performed at the point of care or at the community level on a finger prick blood sample. Test results will be digitalized through mobile devices including clinical decision support software and data will be stored and curated for synchronization with existing databases such as DHIS2. These tests will be evaluated in a digital health ecosystem in Kisumu, western Kenya with technical support from DIDIDA-consortium members, the University of Glasgow and Pharm Access Foundation.

Successful applicants will be registered at the University of Glasgow (Glasgow, UK) and carry out their research at KEMRI/Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya, with opportunities for scientific visits to partners groups, including significant time at the University of Glasgow.
Location: Centre for Global Health Research, KEMRI, Kisumu

Supervisor: Jonathan Cooper, Professor of Engineering at the University of Glasgow and principal investigator on DIDIDA project.

Co-supervisor: Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Glasgow

The objectives of this studentship:

1. Write a review paper on available diagnostics for common childhood pathogens focusing on portability, cost, sensitivity/specificity, digitization of results through mobile phone/tablet technology and linkage to existing platforms such as DHIS2.
2. Understand the genomic diversity of the different pathogens targeted, and how to identify conserved regions (University of Glasgow, LSTM).
3. Work with University of Glasgow and LSTM on designing a Malaria Plus test.
4. Evaluate initial test prototypes with stored blood samples of known etiology to assess sensitivity/specificity, improvement over existing Gold Standard diagnostic tests, optimal storage conditions and other relevant parameters.
5. Field implementation and evaluation of feasibility, acceptability, users experience, turn-around-time and costs.

Eligibility

• A master’s degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Bioinformatics or a related field.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience working in a research laboratory.
• Excellent working knowledge of molecular diagnostic tests used in patient management of important childhood diseases and/or surveillance.
• Good communication, data analysis and scientific writing skills
• Good understanding of digital linkage of diagnostic tests and connected diagnostics.
• Willingness to commit 100% time and effort to the PhD.
• Willingness to stay in Kisumu and field sites for the duration of the PhD.
• Working knowledge of Kiswahili will be an added advantage.
• Previous work experience and publications in the PhD research topic will be an added advantage.

Apply before 12th April 2023. Application procedure and details on the KEMRI Website.

The Institute of Healthcare Management, Strathmore University Business School, Strathmore University, in collaboration with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), invites application fellowships to be undertaken at Strathmore University. The PhD research areas cover various aspects of digital innovations and diagnostics for infectious diseases in Africa based on the topics appended hereunder. The students will be registered at Strathmore University and awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Healthcare Management.

Main Supervisor: Professor Gilbert Kokwaro, Institute of Healthcare Management, Strathmore University Business School, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
Co-Supervisor: Professor Angela Jornada Ben, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The objectives of this studentship:

1. Using the health benefits package costings previously performed in Kenya (2018-2019) as a basis: rating priorities for which diseases best suit a multiplex test from an economic perspective comparing Kenya (update), Tanzania and Uganda. This is anticipated to be mainly review of secondary data, with some South-South visits, to culminate in the development of business models for respective multiplex DIDIDA tests across project countries, that can attract investors and funding.
2. Beyond developing business models, the fellow will develop a framework for local institutional and consumer markets. Most Global technologies falter at this stage before scaling. In institutional and consumer markets, manufacturers are often left with insufficient demand to continue supply, while buyers have limited experience with and understanding of the value of the technology. The study will develop a framework that will address these issues.
3. Later in the program, economic evaluations will be done of the DIDIDA multiplex diagnostic(s) in the digital health ecosystem supported by PharmAccess in Kisumu, Kenya.

Eligibility

• Holders of a Masters degree in Healthcare Management, Public Health, Health Sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing)  or, Health Economics, Health Social Sciences and other related disciplines, with a minimum of three years management and/or research experience. Holders of a Masters in Business Administration/Management or other management courses from recognized universities, with at least three years management or research experience in a healthcare-related field will be considered; as will those with other qualifications deemed relevant by the University’s Academic Council.
• Beside the other generic requirements for the Strathmore PhD Healthcare management program, strong preference will be given to those with health economics training and/or experience/expertise.
• Final selection will be undertaken by the PhD Committee at the Strathmore Business School
• Candidate will be required to develop and successfully defend a research proposal internally (within the consortium) before PhD registration is completed

Apply before 7th April 2023. Application procedure and details on the Strathmore University website.

The Institute of Healthcare Management, Strathmore University Business School, Strathmore University, in collaboration with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), invites application fellowships to be undertaken at Strathmore University. The PhD research areas cover various aspects of digital innovations and diagnostics for infectious diseases in Africa. The students will be registered at Strathmore University and awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Healthcare Management.

Main supervisor: Prof Francis Wafula, Institute of Healthcare Management, Strathmore University Business School Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Chris Pell, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Co-supervisor: Prof. Frances Mair, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK

The objectives of this studentship:

1. A study on socio-economic determinants of adoption of health innovations in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on diagnostics and digital innovation, using as case studies, three or more of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal and Reunion. The research will consider different strategies applied in different countries. It is anticipated to entail review of secondary data and South-South visits.
2. The doctoral fellow will also do case studies on adoption of other Point of Care (POC) (self-) diagnosis technologies e.g., HIV self-testing, pregnancy test, COVID-19 test in one or more DIDIDA countries.
3. Study will also cover aspects such as a) Acceptability: a) to patients, b) to service providers, c) to policy makers; b) Access: Where is the technology to be deployed for maximum benefit? What happens when technology is deployed at a lower health system level (say primary healthcare facilities), and management of the diagnosed condition(s) cannot be undertaken at that level? What are the tradeoffs between the patient getting that information at the lower level, and then needs to go to a higher level of care or another site for the management of the condition?
4. A review of regulatory matters around data and of intellectual property issues in one or more DIDIDA countries. What are ethical consequences of (digital) DIDIDA interventions in Africa with respect to TIPS: (trust, identity, privacy, security).

Eligibility

• Holders of a Masters degree in Healthcare Management, Public Health, Health Sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing)  or, Health Economics, Health Social Sciences and other related disciplines, with a minimum of three years management and/or research experience. Holders of a Masters in Business Administration/Management or other management courses from recognized universities, with at least three years management or research experience in a healthcare-related field will be considered; as will those with other qualifications deemed relevant by the University’s Academic Council.
• Beside the other generic requirements for the Strathmore PhD Healthcare management program, strong preference will be given to those with health systems training and/or experience/expertise, and an interest in strengthening broader policy and regulatory ecosystems to promote scaling.
• Final selection will be undertaken by the PhD Committee at the Strathmore Business School
• Candidate will be required to develop and successfully defend a research proposal internally (within the consortium) before PhD registration is completed.

Apply before 7th April 2023. Application procedure and details on the Strathmore University website.

The Institute of Healthcare Management, Strathmore University Business School, Strathmore University, in collaboration with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), invites application fellowships to be undertaken at Strathmore University. The PhD research areas cover various aspects of digital innovations and diagnostics for infectious diseases in Africa. The students will be registered at Strathmore University and awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Healthcare Management.

Main Supervisor: African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Chris Pell, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Frances Mair, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK

The PhD will answer key research questions for digital innovations and diagnostics in Africa:

1. What are the key socioeconomic criteria and considerations for prioritizing infectious diseases to be diagnosed through multiplex tests with respect to equity, the potential to avoid catastrophic healthcare expenditures, health human resource requirements, affordability, political support, and (lack of) competition, etc.).
2. What are the sociocultural and socioeconomic consequences of task-shifting as potentially induced by (DI-DIDA) innovations in diagnostics, specifically with respect to rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs)?
3. What role does the private sector (in comparison to the public sector) play when it comes to deploying and using multiplex RDTs?
4. How do DI-DIDA diagnostics fit in the wider health system with respect to the diagnosis and management co-morbidities i.e., how do these diagnostics work in health systems with vertical and horizontal programming? For instance, in situations where HIV patients with other comorbidities seek services in different parts of the healthcare system, can a multiplex diagnostic test be a catalyst for a more integrated patient-centred healthcare system?

The proposed research approach is key informant interviews with researchers and stakeholders in infectious disease management, complemented by literature/systematic review of published and grey literature of evidence on national systems or policies or plans for multiplex tests, what has worked/not worked, and areas for improvement.

Candidate suitability

• Holders of a Masters degree in Healthcare Management, Public Health, Health Sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing)  or, Health Economics, Health Social Sciences and other related disciplines, with a minimum of three years management and/or research experience. Holders of a Masters in Business Administration/Management or other management courses from recognized universities, with at least three years management or research experience in a healthcare-related field will be considered; as will those with other qualifications deemed relevant by the University’s Academic Council.
• Beside the other generic requirements for the Strathmore PhD Healthcare management program, strong preference will be given to those with health systems training and/or experience/expertise, and an interest in strengthening broader policy and regulatory ecosystems to promote scaling.
• Final selection will be undertaken by the PhD Committee at the Strathmore Business School
• Candidate will be required to develop and successfully defend a research proposal internally (within the consortium) before PhD registration is completed.

Apply before 7th April 2023. Application procedure and details on the Strathmore University website.

The Institute of Healthcare Management, Strathmore University Business School, Strathmore University, in collaboration with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), invites application fellowships to be undertaken at Strathmore University. The PhD research areas cover various aspects of digital innovations and diagnostics for infectious diseases in Africa. The students will be registered at Strathmore University and awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Healthcare Management.

Main Supervisor: African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Chris Pell, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Co-Supervisor: Prof. Frances Mair, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK

This PhD project would review other DI-DIDA-supported PhD projects on molecular tests (including multiplex), with a view to understanding and highlighting how these innovations have incorporated user-centredness in their design and implementation.

It is proposed that the PhD research:

1. Starts with a review of pre-prototypes of molecular tests in 1-2 sites in the intermediate pilot phase, provide feedback and review other prototypes in additional DI-DIDA sites.
2. Investigates aspects of sociocultural acceptance of (digital) diagnostics in African settings (in Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda).
3. Conducts a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative research on the social dimension (cultural and economic) of molecular tests, including RDTs.
4. Employs a mixed methods study to investigate the trends in the current use of RDTs in health facilities and for home-based care (e.g. pregnancy and self-HIV tests) in Kenya and other countries where DI-DIDA-sponsored PhD research is implemented.

Candidate suitability

• Holders of a Masters degree in Healthcare Management, Public Health, Health Sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing)  or, Health Economics, Health Social Sciences and other related disciplines, with a minimum of three years management and/or research experience. Holders of a Masters in Business Administration/Management or other management courses from recognized universities, with at least three years management or research experience in a healthcare-related field will be considered; as will those with other qualifications deemed relevant by the University’s Academic Council.
• Beside the other generic requirements for the Strathmore PhD Healthcare management program, strong preference will be given to those with health systems training and/or experience/expertise, and an interest in strengthening broader policy and regulatory ecosystems to promote scaling.
• Final selection will be undertaken by the PhD Committee at the Strathmore Business School
• Candidate will be required to develop and successfully defend a research proposal internally (within the consortium) before PhD registration is completed.

Apply before 7th April 2023. Application procedure and details on the Strathmore University website.