The Gender Capacity building in Clinical Research for Female Scientist in Central Africa (WISE) is a project under the Central Africa Regional Network on Clinical Research (CANTAM), which is an EDCTP-funded network of excellence. The main aim of WISE is to meet the following objectives in order to address several discipline gaps in the Central African region:

Description

• To increase the number of skilled female PhD and Masters candidates in clinical research in Central Africa
• To increase research capacity of women in clinical research in diverse disciplines with an emphasis on immunology for an efficient outbreak response in Central Africa countries
• To generate missing data on COVID-19 infection in Central Africa countries
• To promote science and female scientists in all Central Africa countries by stimulating interested in sciences within the next generation of learners.

The PhD Programme

This WISE PhD programme will be delivered by five partners from CANTAM including Fondation Congolaise pour la Recherche Médicale - Republic of Congo (FCRM), University of Yaoundé-1 Cameroon (UY1), Université des Sciences de la Santé - Gabon (USS), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Germany, and Acadiemisch Ziekenhuis Leiden - Netherlands (LUMC). At the end of the four-year period, CANTAM expects to have new research groups led by female WISE PhD fellows s established in Cameroon, Republic of Congo (RoC), Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This PhD programme will focus on : immunology, infectious diseases, non-Communicable diseases, Epidemiology and clinical research.

Each track will have one PhD fellow, an MSc student attached to a PhD fellow and will be delivered by one of the partner institutions. It is highly recommended that the research projects focus on emerging diseases, especially COVID-19 as limited data is available for the region.

The programme will include specific courses prescribed by the enrolling Universities including cross-cutting courses in bioethics, research methodology, and data sharing which will be coordinated through CANTAM. In addition, each PhD candidate will be required to develop a research proposal, conduct her research and publish at least three manuscripts in peer reviewed journals in addition to a PhD thesis. The requirement for three manuscripts will be a minimum requirement regardless of the normal practice of the enrolling university. Each fellow shall train and co-supervise an MSc student under her research project and shall collaborate with a team of experts across CANTAM in many activities which also includes attending networking meetings in the region and networking with other PhD fellows from other EDCTP networks of excellence.
Selected candidates will register at universities within the Central Africa region and will be required to sign a WISE fellowship agreement expressing commitment to undertake and complete the training.

Duration of training

The PhD fellowship will be for three years with a possible six-month extension. Successful PhD candidates will be awarded a €75,000.00 grant. Research costs, travel allowance, essential equipment such as laptops, maternity cover and other justifiable eligible expenditures will be included in the grant.

Eligibility Criteria

This programme is open to female candidates from all Central African countries especially those with less established institutions within CANTAM. Central African countries under-represented in previous EDCTP funding and/or are disadvantaged due to political conflicts, will be prioritized. Candidates from Chad, Central African Republic (CAR) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are encouraged to apply.
Applications from disadvantaged groups within the society in the region such as people with physical disabilities are also encouraged. Pregnancy should not be a limitation to apply. Candidates will be selected based on the strength of their academic background and track record in research verifiable through documents like certificates, letters of support, documentation of the candidates experience in research, evidence of at least one research publication, etc.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted to the secretariat of the CANTAM selection committee via email to info@fcrm-congo.com , copying nkahleo@gmail.comand jolivet.mayela@fcrm-congo.com.

The Application package should contain the following :

• A motivational statement of not more than 300 words indicating the professional development plan of the applicant during and after PhD studies.
• One page concept notes of the proposed PhD research project. Projects focusing on emerging diseases such as COVID-19 are encouraged.
• A recent CV indicating previous and/or current employer(s) and position(s) held, as well as a list of peer reviewed publications (if any). Maximum of 2 pages.
• Certified copies of academic transcripts and relevant certificates
• Supporting letters from two professional referees, together with their telephone numbers, institutional addresses and e-mail addresses.
• Daytime contact details of the applicant including email, and telephone contacts.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5:00pm (WAT) on Tuesday 30th September, 2021

NB : The selection of candidates will involve a 2-step process that will be based on review of motivational statement and assessment of the PhD concept note. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for virtual or face-to-face interviews if conditions allow. Final award of scholarship to selected candidates will be subject to successful university registration for the PhD by November 2021.

CANTAM institutions :

• University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
• University of Buea, Cameroon
• Centre de Recherche sur les Filarioses et autres Maladies Tropicales (CRFiLMT), Cameroon
• Unite De Pharmacologie Clinique et Pharmacovigilance, University of Kinshasa (UPC-PV), Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
• Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Gabon
• La Faculté de Médecine Universite des Sciences de la Santé (DPM-USS-LIBREVILLE), Gabon
• HerpeZ Limited (HerpeZ), Zambia
• Academisch Medisch Centrum, Netherlands
• University College London (UCL), United Kingdom
• Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen , Germany