Masters student fellow job at Infectious Diseases Institute

About the Organization

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) is a Ugandan not-for-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen health systems in Africa, with strong emphasis on infectious diseases, through research and capacity development. IDI has six operational areas through which it works to achieve its mission: Prevention, Care and Treatment; Training, Research, Laboratory services (including the CAP-certified IDI Core Lab & Translational Lab), Global Health Security and Health System Strengthening.

Job Description

The increasing adoption of technologies like mobile phones, high throughput genomic sequencing, IoT and electronic health records is accelerating the buildup of an avalanche of data: clinical, genomic, epidemiological, climate-related and social/behavioral data. These growing volumes and complexity of data, render the rapidly expanding field of “Big Data” analysis and interpretation essential to improving health and economic outcomes.

Data Science (DS¬¬¬), which encapsulates Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a pathway to the leveraging and enhancement of these data into meaningful and actionable information. However, the highly technical nature of DS as well its powerful potential, simultaneously pause the risk of ‘leaving behind’ sections of the population that have already been disadvantaged. In Uganda in particular, the high gender disparity within STEM fields means that women are more likely to be left behind, resulting in the unintended consequence of DS further widening the gender gap in STEM.

This program is thus going to target the training and advancement of Ugandan women in data science and (or) bioinformatics. It achieves this goal through three critical areas: 1) Skilling women in data science / bioinformatics methods and techniques, 2) identify barriers to women in STEM, Data Science and bioinformatics 3) Providing a bridge to help trainees translate their data science skills into biomedical and public health practice.

Benefits of the program
• There are two fellowships that will provide a stipend to two MSc students during the research year.
• Research clearance fees for MSc student project.
• World class health data science mentorship from some of the best mentors in the field.

Research concept
The research concept should be one that employs data science, mathematical and (or) bioinformatics to any of the following areas: a) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives; b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome; c) cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science; and d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.

Submission
Submit the following documents as a single pdf file
1. Certified copies of relevant academic documents.
2. Two reference letters from academic referees
3. Statement of motivation (max 1000 words)
4. Your idea for the research project (single page)
5. An updated CV (max 4 pages)

Application deadline: June 20th 2024
NB:
• This is a full-time MSc scholarship. It is expected that the intending applicant is not involved in any other form of study or employment.
• Only successful candidates will be notified.
• Although this opportunity is majorly targeted towards females, exceptionally qualified males are encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

Fully develop a research concept that employs data science, mathematical and (or) bioinformatics to any of the following areas: a) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives; b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome; c) cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science; and d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.

Successfully defend your research proposal
Successfully obtain ethics approval from Institutional Review Board (IRB) and National approval from Uganda National Council for Science & Technology (UNCST)
Present your work at scientific workshops, conferences and research forum Successfully defend your Masters thesis
Write at least 1 peer reviewed scientific publications in high impact journals
Participate in ACE research groups relevant to your area of study.

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

Minimum qualifications: Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field such as bioinformatics, data science, computer science, mathematics or a related field from a recognized university.
Be enrolled for an MSc in bioinformatics, data science, computer science, mathematics or a related quantitative field at Makerere University.

Have completed the first year of taught modules evidenced by a stamped testimonial from the department hosting the MSc degree.
Demonstrated interest in health data science, mathematical modelling and (or) bioinformatics.
A viable and innovative research concept in any of the above-mentioned areas.
Ready to commit as a full-time student.