Overview The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) announces multiple fully funded PhD opportunities for the 2026 intake. As one of Africa’s leading centres for public health training and research, the Division offers an intellectually stimulating environment where doctoral candidates engage with cutting-edge epidemiological methods, interdisciplinary research collaborations, and impactful population health inquiries. These new PhD awards provide an opportunity for early-career researchers to develop advanced research competencies in epidemiology, biostatistics, and health sciences, while contributing to evidence generation that informs health policy and strengthens health systems across low- and middle-income settings. Selected candidates will join a vibrant academic community dedicated to methodological rigor, scientific integrity, and research excellence. Available PhD Research Areas Applicants may apply to pursue doctoral research in one of the following thematic areas: • Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology – Investigating maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes, with an emphasis on survival, growth, developmental trajectories, and early-life risk factors.• Infectious Diseases Epidemiology – Focusing on transmission dynamics, surveillance data analysis, disease modelling, and evaluation of infectious disease prevention and control strategies.• Nutritional Epidemiology – Generating research on dietary intake, nutritional risk factors, and nutrition-related health outcomes across the life course.• Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology – Examining the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and related behavioural or environmental determinants.• Psychiatric Epidemiology – Advancing evidence on mental health disorders, population-level risk patterns, service utilisation, and related social drivers of health.• Clinical Epidemiology – Applying epidemiological principles to clinical practice, patient outcomes, and health service delivery research. These research areas reflect the Division’s strategic focus on improving population health through rigorous empirical research, quantitative analysis, and applied methodological innovation. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must demonstrate strong academic preparation, research readiness, and clear alignment with one or more of the Division’s research themes. Eligible candidates must have: • Completed, or be nearing completion of, a Master’s-level qualification in Epidemiology and/or Biostatistics.• Evidence of academic excellence and strong performance in previous research training.• Proficiency in R, with demonstrated ability to manage, analyse, and interpret epidemiological data.• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.• A clear research interest in one or more of the specified epidemiology fields.• Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for academic and scientific contexts.• Demonstrated ability to work independently, including experience with self-directed learning, project planning, and task execution. The Division seeks motivated candidates who show intellectual curiosity, scientific discipline, and a commitment to advancing public health research in Africa. Award Details and Funding Each PhD award is granted for a maximum duration of three years, with annual renewal based on satisfactory progress. The funding package includes: • Cost-of-living support and UCT tuition fees, totalling R380,000 per year, tax-free.• Full participation in UCT’s research ecosystem, including seminars, doctoral training workshops, research groups, and collaboration platforms.• Access to advanced supervision from leading epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and public health researchers. Successful applicants are required to undertake their studies full-time and be based on campus at UCT throughout the award period. They are also expected to participate actively in the academic life of the Division and School, contribute to research initiatives, and engage in scholarly dissemination. Application Requirements Applicants must submit a complete application package that includes: • Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing academic background, research experience, publications (if any), and technical skills.• Cover letter outlining motivation for pursuing doctoral studies, proposed research interests, and alignment with the Division’s thematic areas.• Undergraduate and postgraduate academic transcripts, including full grading details.• Names and contact information for three academic referees who can comment on the applicant’s research potential and academic readiness. All applications must be submitted by email to:EpiAdmin@uct.ac.za Incomplete applications will not be considered. DOWNLOAD THE ADVERT HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the seeking University. For any inquiries, please contact the official university directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.