Doctoral Candidate (Epidemics, Disease, State Formation in Africa)

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university seeks a Doctoral Candidate for a PhD research project focused on state formation processes influenced by epidemics, requiring fieldwork in Uganda. Candidates need a relevant bachelor's and master's degree, alongside strong research skills and a commitment to meet EU mobility requirements. This fixed-term position is full-time, starting from September 2026, with a salary of £40,604 per annum and various staff benefits. Applications close on 1 March 2026.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous annual leave

Defined benefits pension scheme

Flexible work options

Qualifications

• Must meet requirements for admission as a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh.
• Experience in qualitative or quantitative research preferred.
• Strong motivation for conducting empirical fieldwork.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a PhD-research project examining processes of state formation related to epidemics.
• Undertake empirical fieldwork in Uganda.
• Submit a PhD thesis at the end of the project.

Skills

Research skills

Fieldwork in Uganda

Knowledge of state formation processes

Ability to meet EU mobility requirements

Education

Bachelor's and Master's degree

Job description

ARC Grade: £40,604 per annum

School of Social and Political Science / CAHSS

Full Time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: for 36 months, from September 2026

The Opportunity:

Your next step starts here. Be part of something bigger.

In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries.

We provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.

As a Doctoral Candidate you will conduct a PhD‑research project examining processes of state formation and how they have been shaped by epidemics and infectious diseases in Uganda. This will include undertaking empirical fieldwork in Uganda.

You will be registered as a PhD student in the School of Social and Political Science, and will submit a PhD thesis at the end of the project. This is a double degree awarded by the University of Edinburgh (UK) and Makerere University (Uganda). Tuition fees will be waived.

You will be part of the Health and Environment in Africa and Europe (HEALENAE) Doctoral Network funded by the EU Research and Innovation Programme Horizon Europe, under a grant by Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA‑DN).

You must meet requirements for admission as a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh and EU mobility requirements set by Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (see full job description for details).

As part of the University, you are aافة part of our community. We are looking for people with drive, determination, and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

• Professional development and subject matter expertise
• Good salary/pay rates
• Excellent benefits and support

This post is full‑time (35 hours per week), and will require regular attendance on‑campus in Edinburgh. This post is fixed term from September 2026 for a period of 3 years.

View the full job description

How to apply

Applications must include the following documents in the required formats:

• Cover letter including a statement of motivation and research interests
• Curriculum Vitae
• Project description
• Copies of Batchelor and Masters degree certificates

See the full job description for detailed information on the required format of the supporting documentation.

Informal questions about this post can be directed to the Hiring Manager, Dr Gerhard Anders, Senior Lecturer, via email at [e-mail].

External applicants, please refer to the guidance in ‘How to Join Us’ to support your application process.

Current employees, please apply as an internal applicant through the People & Money Current Jobs app using your staff email address.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide duerch of staff discounts, family‑friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education.

We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also 발표​​Stonewall Scotland власти, are actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 1 March 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will typically be held 2-3 weeks after the closing date.