Health

CAGE-TB Project Vacancies: Three (3) PhD Fellows

Published

5 years ago

December 22, 2021

Mark Wamai

A Male PhD Graduand from MUBS strides down the red carpet shortly after being conferred upon his award on Day 3 of the 69th Graduation Ceremony, 17th January 2019, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

We are recruiting three (3) PhD students to join the CAGE-TB programme, a multidisciplinary consortium supported by a grant from the European Commission and Coordinated by Stellenbosch University. CAGE-TB brings together African and European scientists to develop a mobile phone-based cough triage test for Tuberculosis (TB).

The Cough Audio triaGE for TB (CAGE-TB) project aims at promoting the adoption of mobile health-based cough audio triage testing for active pulmonary tuberculosis in health facilities in high-burden settings. Specifically the study aims are; a.) to generate and separately validate a cough audio classifier that meets the criteria for the World Health Organization (WHO) triage test target product profile for sensitivity and specificity, b.) to produce data on potential cost savings, and c.) to package the underlying technology into an easy-to-use smartphone app built using human-centred design ready-for-use in large-scale clinical evaluations. It will do so through:

Collecting cough audio data in a discovery cohort of patients with a prolonged cough who present to primary care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa; and optimising a classifier scheme;
Validating the audio classifier algorithm in separate clinical validation cohorts in Cape Town, South Africa and Kampala, Uganda and calculate potential cost savings; and
Using a human-centred design process to integrate the classifier into a smartphone application and identifying potential barriers and facilitators to its successful deployment.

CAGE-TB will provide opportunities for PhD training as part of its research activities. There will be three (3) PhD positions. The research topics for these PhDs will include aspects of diagnostic and implementation research, costing, mHealth, and human-centered design.

Under the supervision of a multi-discipinary research team, the PhD candidate will conduct mixed-methods research, hence the relevant tracks will be focusing on diagnostic OR implementation and costing research OR mHealth and human-centered design, to:

assess current smartphone and app usage among healthcare staff;
explore existing policies and practices of TB triage and diagnosis in primary health facilities;
conduct cost data collection and analysis of the phone-based cough triage test; and
support participatory app design process.

The role:

Design and conduct qualitative (e.g. structured interview guides) and/or quantitative research (e.g. survey questionnaires);
Develop a research protocol and obtain approval from ethical review committees;
Understand cultural background of participants to evaluate findings and methods in this context;
Analyze qualitative (e.g. coding) and/or quantitative data (e.g. statistical analyses)
Prepare and hold presentations for an audience with a varied disciplinary background;
Take the lead in authoring articles to be published in international peer-reviewed journals;
Compile a thesis based on the articles (and submitted manuscripts);
Participate in and present findings at CAGE-TB consortium meetings.

Professional background:

Required

A completed master’s degree in a health-related social science discipline, such as medical anthropology, medical sociology, OR a masters in, biological sciences, Medical-related discipline, global/public health, health services research, clinical epidemiology, and biostatistics with a significant proportion of qualitative research.
Experience in designing and conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research, biomedical science research, implementation science research
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex findings to an audience with varied disciplinary background.
Willingness and ability to work independently and to collaborate with a multidisciplinary and international team.
Socially engaged, highly motivated to understand social dynamics, autonomous and creative.
The willingness to be part of an international research team.

Desirable

Proficient in qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis software.
Experience of undertaking data collection in primary care settings.
Has taken a leading role in at least one article published in an international peer-reviewed journal (i.e., first author added advantage).
Demonstrable experience in the proposed track of choice i.e., diagnostic, implementation, and costing research, or mHealth and human-centered design
MUST be a Ugandan

Do you recognize yourself in this job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 31 January 2022. You can apply by sending the following to Ms. Nakayiza Hariet, email; kayizaharry[at]gmail.com. Please indicate ‘PhD TB-CAGE’ in the subject line.

CV. Please mention the months (not just years) in your CV when referring to your education and work experience.
a transcript of all university courses taken, and grades obtained;
a one-page motivation letter which includes a brief statement of research interests and experience;
a concept note: two pages plus one page of relevant literature. Clearly whether you are interested in diagnostic, implementation, and costing research, or mHealth and human-centered design.
Two (2) reference letters

Please combine all documents into a single PDF file and send it to Ms. Nakayiza Hariet, email; kayizaharry[at]gmail.com. Applications need to be submitted on or before 31 January 2022.

The Cough Audio triaGE for TB PhD Advert _ 8 12 2021 Download

Related Topics:App CAGE-TB coding Data design Fellows health mHealth PhD primary quantitative WHO

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Call for Abstracts: Makerere Bioethics Conference (MakBC) 2026

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Mak Editor

Call For Abstracts: Makerere Bioethics Conference (MakBC 2026), 10th - 11th November 2026. Deadline: 15th September 2026. Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Makerere Bioethics Conference (MakBC) 2026 Organizing Committee is pleased to invite researchers, academics, students, practitioners, policymakers, research ethics committee members, and other stakeholders to submit abstracts and register for MakBC 2026.

Conference Theme: Evolving Trends in Global Health Research Ethics

Conference Dates: 10^th – 11^th November 2026
Venue: Hotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda

Conference Sub-Themes

Research in Emergency and Disaster Situations
Genetic and Genomics Research, Biobanking, and Data Governance
Research in Vulnerable Populations and Health Equity
Emerging Technologies in Research and Artificial Intelligence
Research Regulation and Research Integrity

We welcome the submission of original abstracts that address the conference theme and sub-themes. The conference will provide an opportunity for participants to share research findings, best practices, innovations, and emerging ethical issues in global health research.

Call for Abstracts

Abstract Submission Deadline: 15^th September 2026

Abstract Submission Link:
https://form.jotform.com/261632774184058

Conference Registration

Participants are encouraged to register early to benefit from discounted registration rates.

Conference Registration Link:
https://form.jotform.com/261633420239048

Registration Deadlines:

Early Bird Registration: Until 30^th September 2026
Regular Registration: Until 30^th October 2026

For further information, please contact: makbioethicsconference@gmail.com

We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging and impactful conference.

Makerere-Bioethics-Conference-MakBC-2026-Poster Download

Health

Call for Applications: Master’s Scholarship in Biomedical Engineering

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Mak Editor

A hands-on session in the Biomedical Engineering Unit Lab. College of Health Sciences (CHS), New Mulago Complex, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Applications are invited for an exciting Master’s Scholarship Opportunity offered through a collaboration between Makerere University and Case Western Reserve University (USA).

The Biomedical Engineering Unit, Department of Physiology at Makerere University, in partnership with Case Western Reserve University, received funding from the U.S. NIH Fogarty International Center to train Ugandans in Biomedical Engineering (BME). The program aims to strengthen capacity for medical technology innovation and develop the next generation of researchers in Biomedical Engineering.

Scholarship Highlights

The scholarship supports students pursuing a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or a closely related field. Eligible applicants include MSc students from:

Technology Innovation and Industrial Development (CEDAT)
Computer Science (COCIS)
Immunology and Clinical Microbiology
Master of Health Informatics
Master of Bioinformatics (CHS)

The scholarship provides:

Tuition support
A modest monthly stipend
Reasonable research funding
Support for up to one academic year (Master of Science)

Eligibility

Applicants should:

Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a health-related field from a recognized university.
Demonstrate interest in medical devices and technology innovation.
Have a research project idea focused on:
- Cardiovascular diseases,
- Blood disorders, or
- Chronic movement disorders.
Show evidence of good academic performance in the first year of their MSc program.
Be available for an oral interview.

Application Requirements

Submit the following as a single PDF:

Certified copies of relevant academic documents
Two reference letters
A motivation statement (maximum 500 words)
A one-page research project idea
A brief CV (maximum four pages)

Applications should be emailed to sightproject2022@gmail.com with the subject line:

“Scholarship MSc Application 2026”

Important Dates

Application Deadline: 30 July 2026
Interviews: 13 August 2026
Notification of Successful Applicants: 21 August 2026

Qualified MSc students interested in advancing research and innovation in Biomedical Engineering are strongly encouraged to apply.

Makerere-CHS-CWRU-Masters-Scholarship-Biomedical-Engineering Download

Health

Makerere Medical Journal: 52nd Edition

Published

6 days ago

June 25, 2026

Mak Editor

Cover page of the 52nd Edition of the Makerere Medical Journal. College of Health Sciences (CHS), Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

It is with great esteem that I welcome you to the 52^nd edition of the Makerere Medical Journal (MMJ). This edition of the Makerere Medical Journal (MMJ) comes at a pivotal moment in our country’s history, a time marked by change and a growing determination for voices to be seen and heard. Various platforms have given people the opportunity to do just that and the MMJ is one of these platforms because, here, we believe there is no greater joy than visibility and expression.

Writing is one of the purest forms of self-expression, and research represents its highest academic form: writing grounded in facts and figures. Research is the very backbone that shapes the future of humanity. The hallmark of any society progressing In an evolutionary direction is RESEARCH. It, therefore, felt essential to include the work of so many bold, young writers and researchers whose work will shape the landscape of science for generations to come.

We invite you to embark on this journey of inquiry and to open your mind to the powerful ideas captured within these pages. “Research is always the best the part of writing.” What we especially love about this is the fact that our writers take their time to do their research before making submissions which made our work particularly easy. We were impressed with the quality of the submissions in spite of the rigorous academic schedules. We hope their brilliant writing speaks volume to you like it did to us. This edition features articles that explore emerging innovations and evolving ideas in medicine, including cancer research, gene editing, and other compelling areas of study we hope you will find equally thought-provoking. Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), continues to be a hub of research prowess and excellence. The number of undergraduate students producing high-quality research continues to grow, and we are immensely proud to showcase their work in our journal.

Additionally, we believe it is of the utmost importance to get inspiration and guidance from those who came before us. On that note, we have included an interview from Dr. Sabrina Kitaka and Prof. David Meya, who both continue to shape and nurture the next generation of clinicians. We have also included two study abroad pieces that highlight the journey of two of our medical students through Sweden and Italy. We believe their experiences will inspire and motivate those coming after them. MakCHS is home to vibrant clubs whose activities have shaped the landscape of the student experience, which we are proud to have featured.

This edition is especially meaningful as it represents the continuation and completion of the outstanding work of the 2024–2025 editorial team. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them under the leadership of Mr. Karlos Samuel, as well as, to our patron, Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, for her unwavering guidance and support. And finally, our deepest thanks go to you, our dearest readers, without whom this journal would not exist. We hope you find the inspiration you seek within these pages.

APILI LORRAINE,
MBChB V
Email: roritech[at]gmail.com

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