The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is offering a PhD studentship under the German African Cooperation Project in Helminth Infectiology, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The project, in collaboration with Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, focuses on understanding the impact of diets enriched with plant fibre and protein on helminth infections in both humans and pigs, which serve as a relevant animal model for human studies.

This initiative is designed to advance knowledge on nutrition and infection interactions while integrating Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) to encourage community participation in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices. Nutrition and WASH interventions are recognized as essential for achieving sustained control of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in endemic communities.

The project is expected to run for up to three years and includes a position for a doctoral researcher. The position will be based at the Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control (ESACIPAC) within KEMRI, Nairobi, with fieldwork conducted in Bungoma County, western Kenya.

Location: ESACIPAC, KEMRI Nairobi, with extensive fieldwork in Bungoma CountyReporting to: Principal Investigator of the Study

The broad aim of this PhD project is to investigate the impact of diets enriched in plant fibre and protein on helminth infection in humans and pigs. The doctoral researcher will also conduct social and behavioural research to assess community knowledge about reinfection risk factors, which include nutrition, WASH practices, economic activities, and household wealth status. Additionally, the researcher will evaluate the effectiveness of SBCC interventions within the local community.

The successful candidate will develop a research proposal aligned with the project’s objectives, design and implement methodological approaches, and lead specific components of the fieldwork under the guidance of the supervisory team. This studentship provides an opportunity to contribute to multidisciplinary research that combines nutrition, parasitology, public health, and behavioural sciences.

Applicants for the PhD studentship must meet the following requirements:

The candidate should possess:

The doctoral researcher will be responsible for:

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

Applications should be made exclusively through the KEMRI e-recruitment portal:https://www.kemri.go.ke/e-recruitment

The deadline for applications is 10th September 2025 at 5:00 pm East Africa Time.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Kenya Medical Research Institute provides this PhD studentship opportunity in partnership with Freie Universität Berlin to enhance research capacity in neglected tropical diseases, nutrition, and public health. The selected candidate will engage in multidisciplinary research, contribute to scientific publications, and gain international training experience, while also working closely with local communities in western Kenya.