The WACCBIP DELTAS II programme is seeking ambitious African scientists to study and work in an environment that promotes the development of leadership skills and networking with other scientists in Africa.

As a Centre of Excellence for biomedical research, WACCBIP supports a wide range of research activities. In conjunction 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 DELTAS II programme is supported by the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA) with funding from Wellcome and UK FCDO, and WACCBIP-DELTAS II is inviting applications from African scientists for three types of fellowships: PhD Fellowship, Postdoctoral Fellowship and Senior Research Fellowship.  

1. PhD fellowship

To apply for this fellowship, you must:

1. Be an African national who holds a relevant Master’s degree
2. Be a highly motivated individual interested in working on one of the listed priority disease areas and research themes.

The successful fellows will be enrolled at the University of Ghana, but can be based at any of our African partner institutions, including:

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

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 University of Ghana PhD degree in Biochemistry or Molecular Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases, depending on the research theme.

The PhD fellowship will cover:

• Tuition at the University of Ghana
• A monthly stipend
• Research supplies and reagents
• Three-month research visit to a partner institution
• Other related costs (such as international conferences, courses and workshops)

2. Postdoctoral fellowship

To apply for this fellowship, you must:

• Be an African who received his/her PhD degree within the last four 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 fellows will be based at the University of Ghana or one of our partner institutions, including:

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

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

3. Senior Research fellowship

To apply for this fellowship, you must:

• Be an African who received his/her PhD degree at least 4 years ago, with strong interest in establishing a research career in the biosciences in Africa.
• Develop a comprehensive research proposal with a long-term vision to establish a research track in one of the WACCBIP priority areas, and including deliverables within 3 years.
• Be a highly motivated individual interested in driving innovative research and training young scientists.
• Have a high standard for research ethics.
• Be interested in working on one of the listed priority disease areas and research themes.

The successful Senior Research fellow will be based at the University of Ghana and will be expected to perform the following responsibilities:

• Build a research team and lead innovative research leading to policy impact, high-impact publications and patents.
• Contribute to the training of graduate students.
• Compete for external funding to complement WACCBIP funding in support of their research vision.

The Senior fellowship will cover:

• A monthly salary
• Research supplies and reagents
• Dedicated PhD and Master’s students
• Conference grant
• Other related costs including relocation costs for international fellows.

General Information

All fellowships provide the option 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 full fellowship application forms using these links

PhD Fellowship

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Senior Research 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 three types of fellowship being applied for:

• PhD Fellowship-WACCBIP-DELTAS II Programme
• Postdoctoral Fellowship-WACCBIP-DELTAS II Programme
• Senior Research Fellowship-WACCBIP-DELTAS II Programme

Closing Date: June 12, 2023 at 23:59 GMT (Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered)