Global Doctoral Scholarship - University of St Andrews and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Project

TB is a public health challenge in low-resource countries. The WHO developed consolidated guidelines on TB prevention in 2020.  In these guidelines, TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) has been identified as a critical intervention to reduce the risk of TB among high-risk populations, including People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and children under five years of age who are contacts of TB patients. Evidence so far shows that TPT reduces risk of TB disease by 60% in eligible adults and children. Despite the acclaimed benefit, the uptake of TPT remains suboptimal in Malawi and other developing countries, leading to a continued high TB burden. A PhD candidate is being sought to undertake epidemiological and laboratory-based research investigating the promoters and inhibitors of TPT uptake among diverse population groups and assess utility of novel/more accurate latent TB diagnostic technology and other public health strategies developed by our previous research in improving TPT uptake and adherence.

Reports have indicated that empirical prescription of TPT without diagnostic evidence is one of the reasons why people decline TPT. They ask, ‘why treat me when I am not sick?’ To this end, our previous Global St Andrews PhD studentship led to the development of a human messenger RNA-based latent TB diagnostic that is more sensitive than the standard- of-care Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) (DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024- 66486-z). We will leverage on this diagnostic tool to diagnose latent TB among TPT naïve household contacts of TB patients, children and PLHIV and assess whether awareness of latent TB infection (LTBI) motivates them to take TPT.

The project will be managed jointly between the School of Medicine at St Andrews and the Helse Nord Tuberculosis Initiative of the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. The student will be supervised by lead researchers from St Andrews and KUHES.

Informal enquiries regarding this scholarship may be addressed to Dr Sabiiti (ws31@st-andrews.ac.uk) or Dr Nliwasa (hnti@kuhes.ac.mw).

Value of award (per year)

The funding comprises a scholarship equivalent of a full-fees award and stipend for a period of up to 3.5 years. It is expected that the student will spend half of the scholarship term at the University of St Andrews and half at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences:

• For the period spent at the University of St Andrews, the scholarship will comprise a full fees award and a stipend paid at the current UK Research Council rate (£19,237 each year in 2024–2025)

• For the period spent at KUHES, the scholarship will comprise a stipend to cover living expenses during the stay and a tuition fee award.

Unless otherwise specified, the scholarships do not cover:

• Any continuation, extension, or resubmission period/fees.
• A research training grant or another equivalent award for research expenses, e.g. bench fees or conference attendance fees.
• Funding for fieldwork activities.
• Support for travel, immigration, health insurance and related charges between the partner institutions.

Duration of award

Up to 3.5 years. The student will be expected to spend approximately half of the award term at the University of St Andrews and half at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. The successful candidate will be expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the award term. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.

Additional criteria

Applicants must not already (i) hold a doctoral degree; or (ii) be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews, KUHES, or another institution.

How to apply

Submit an application via the University of St Andrews’ online portal:

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/

As this is a St Andrews system, please ensure that you choose School of Medicine and Dr Wilber Sabiiti as your principal supervisor.

Applications/Expressions of interest should include the following documents:

• CV including information about publications.
• Transcripts of most relevant/recent degrees.
• Information about thesis components (thesis mark, word count, weight/length in comparison to the degree overall).
• Statement of suitability as a candidate for the project (max 500 words)

Applications for a scholarship will be assessed jointly by the co-supervisors. Following a successful application for the scholarship, candidates may be invited by the co-supervisors to submit a full application to each university for admission into the program and award of the scholarship.

Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for this Global doctoral scholarship

Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for this Global doctoral scholarship (Sabiiti-Nliwasa). Applications should be submitted to the co-supervisors via email to: (for St Andrews) Dr Wilber Sabiiti (ws31@st-andrews.ac.uk) and (for KUHES) Dr Marriot Nliwasa (hnti@kuhes.ac.mw).

Next steps

Successful scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for admission to both universities from late April 2025, and then formal outcomes of the position will be made, subject to provision of full application details and materials for entry to the programme at the entry dates listed above.

Successful scholarship applicants must meet all relevant entry requirements for admission including any immigration requirements that may be in place. Please see the advice on applying for research degree programmes at St Andrews.

Terms and conditions

Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions (opens in new tab).

These are applicable during the St Andrews duration of the award; please consult the partner institution for their terms and conditions relating to scholarships.

When will I know the outcome?

By the end of April 2025. Awards are subject to final signatures of contracts between the parties and successful admission to both institutions.