As a Centre of Excellence for biomedical research, WACCBIP supports a wide range of research activities. In collaboration with its international partners, the Centre provides a rigorous PhD training programme, offers a well-resourced research environment to promote the research careers of newly graduated PhDs, and supports the establishment of independent researchers in their chosen fields.

The Centre provides the opportunity for aspiring African scientists to work in an environment that supports high-calibre research, promotes the development of scientific leadership and enables networking with other scientists throughout Africa and beyond.

1. PhD fellowships

WACCBIP is inviting applications from highly motivated individuals for two (2) PhD fellowships. Successful fellows will be enrolled at the University of Ghana in the four-year PhD programme in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases.

To apply for this fellowship, you must:

• Be an African national who holds a relevant Master’s degree
• Be a highly motivated individual interested in working on one of the listed projects below.

The successful PhD fellow will be expected to:

• Conduct high quality research leading to the publication of at least 2 papers in peer reviewed journals
• Contribute to the training of undergraduate students
• Graduate with a PhD degree from the University of Ghana

The PhD fellowship will cover:

• Tuition at the University of Ghana
• A monthly stipend
• Research supplies and reagents

Project 1. Plasma cell longevity markers as predictors of long-term protection post vaccination and infection

Background and techniques required: The candidate must have a strong background in immunology and molecular biology and must have experience in the following techniques:

• PBMC isolation
• Serum collection
• Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS)
• Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Nucleic acid isolation and PCR/qPCR

Principal Investigator: Dr. Abdouramane Camara

Project 2. Structural characterization of key maturation intermediates for structure-guided discovery of HIV inhibitors using X-Ray crystallography and single particle cryo-EM

Background and techniques required: The candidate must have a strong background in physical/biological/biomedical sciences, and must have experience in the following techniques:

• Cloning
• Protein expression in bacteria and or leishmania
• Protein purification
• Crystallization and or cryoEM (experience in these techniques will be at an added advantage)

Principal Investigator Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison

2. Postdoctoral fellowships

WACCBIP is inviting applications for two (2) Postdoctoral Fellowships. The successful fellows will be based at the University of Ghana and one of our partner institutions, including:

• The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, The Gambia
• University of Lagos, Nigeria

To apply for this fellowship, you must:

• Be an African who received his/her PhD degree within the last five (5) years with interest in developing a research career in the biosciences in Africa.
• Develop innovative research proposal that can be completed within 3 years.
• Be a highly motivated individual interested in developing novel research directions.
• Work with minimal supervision and have a high standard for research ethics.
• Be interested in working on one of the listed priority disease areas and research themes.

The successful postdoctoral fellow will be expected to perform the following responsibilities:

• Conduct high quality research leading to the publication of at least 2 papers.
• Contribute to the training of graduate students.
• Compete for external funding to pursue new research projects.
• Contribute to research capacity building at their host research laboratories.

The postdoctoral fellowship will cover:

• A monthly salary
• Research supplies and reagents
• Conference attendance
• Other related costs including relocation costs for international fellows

General Information

All fellowships provide the opportunity of a three-month research visit to some collaborating institutions, including:

• University of Cambridge, UK
• Francis Crick Institute, UK
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
• University of Edinburgh, UK
• Oxford Brookes University, UK
• John Hopkins University, USA
• University of New Mexico, USA

Please download the fellowship application forms using these links:

• PhD Fellowship
• Postdoctoral Fellowship

Interested applicants must download the specific application form of interest and send their complete application documents as a single PDF file saved with the applicant’s full name to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The email subject line should indicate which of the fellowships is being applied for: PhD fellowship or Postdoctoral fellowship

Closing Date: August 15^th 2024 at 23:59 GMT (Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered)