CDT-Africa Addis Ababa University, and Brighton & Sussex Medical School joint PhD opportunity in Drug Development

Background

The Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT- Africa) is a World Bank supported centre of excellence for education and research at Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The main aim of CDT-Africa is to serve as a platform for equitable access to interventions (drugs, vaccines, diagnostics and complex interventions) and bring about sustainable development in Africa through high quality capacity development for innovative therapeutic discovery. The centre partners with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School and its parent universities (University of Sussex and University of Brighton), one of the top universities in the United Kingdom. The Department of Global Health and Infection at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, in collaboration with CDT-Africa, has obtained a grant from the National Institute for Health Research to conduct a research project on developing and implementing diagnostic and treatment tools for people affected by skin-NTDs and other conditions in Ethiopia. As part of this partnership, we will be able to offer a PhD fellowship in the area of drug development 

Successful PhD candidate will register for his/her PhD with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School but will be based within CDT-Africa and conduct their research in Ethiopia and have joint supervisions.

Job Requirements

Eligibility

• Applicants must meet the requirements of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School entry into a PhD program as well as the requirements of Addis Ababa University. There will also be an interview in which colleagues from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School and CDT-Africa will participate.

Entrance Requirements

• The PhD candidate will function as a member of the CDT-Africa team to advance research priorities, particularly in drug development to advance health equity, innovative methodologies and medical discovery. 

Day-to-day activities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing scientific content

• Analyzing the research portfolio and aiding in the development of emergent research areas

• Performing data analyses and contributing to scientific manuscripts, reports, and presentations

• Leading or assisting with the planning and execution of scientific workshops, sessions, meetings, and webinars

• Developing methodologies for drug discovery for scabies and other NTDs

• Developing testing methodologies, including clinical trial approaches

Qualifications

• Candidates should have background in Medicinal Chemistry or Organic Chemistry

Personal qualities

• Candidates must demonstrate strong organizational, planning, oral and written communication skills, scientific writing, and project management skills. Effective interpersonal skills and an openness to working in new areas are required, as activities frequently involve novel interdisciplinary, collaborative, team-based efforts. The successful applicant must be a self-starter who is comfortable taking initiatives and who can play a major role in completing several projects.Working in a Center of Excellence, the successful candidate is expected to live the live the values of the Center.

Application

Application Requirements

• Cover letter describing research interests, professional background, and career development goals

• Resume or curriculum vitae

• Scientific writing samples

• MScdegree, official transcripts, and/or proof of good academic standing on official letterhead and signed by graduate program director, advisor, or equivalent.

Other requirements

• English Language Requirement: Applicants will need to demonstrate IELTS qualification with 7 overall and not less than 6.0 in each section (or equivalent).

Timetable 

• The deadline for applications is two weeks after the advertisement is published. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed at the CDT-Africa office in Addis Ababa with UK partners joining remotely. The shortlisting and interview after the closing date of application will be within three weeks.

How to Apply

Application document (CV, official transcript, and copies of degrees, etc) must be submitted in electronic copy via email to DrTsegahun Manyazewal (email: tsegahunm.cdtafrica@gmail.com) copying Ms Rahel Birhane(email: richina156@gmail.com).