The Makerere University–Behavioral and Social Science Research (Mak-BSSR) in HIV Training Program, in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), invites applications for Post-doctoral and Ph.D. level training opportunities in Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) with a focus on HIV.
This five-year research training program, funded by the Fogarty International Centre (FIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aims to strengthen expertise in behavioral and social science theories, frameworks, and methodologies to advance interdisciplinary HIV research in Uganda and beyond.
Research Priority Areas
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Intersectional stigma
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Alcohol and substance use
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Mental health (psychosocial health)
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Limited social support, social isolation, and loneliness and their impact on HIV outcomes
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Ageism and HIV
Who Should Apply
The program targets trainees across diverse disciplinary backgrounds who wish to advance their expertise in health-related behavioral and social sciences. It is ideal for individuals with biomedical or public health backgrounds seeking foundational and applied research training.
Through this program, participants will gain competencies in behavioral and social science research, learning to apply these approaches rigorously to HIV-related challenges.
Eligibility
Post-doctoral Training (2 years)
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Must be a Ugandan national.
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Must have a Ph.D. in a relevant field obtained within the last five years.
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Must be a junior faculty member at Makerere University or a recent graduate/alumnus of the BSSR training program.
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Demonstrated interest and experience in Behavioral and Social Science research.
Benefits:
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Research support, including fieldwork costs.
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Mentorship from national and international experts.
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Training in scientific writing, grant management, and responsible research conduct.
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Funding for local and international conference presentations.
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Monthly stipend.
Ph.D. Training (4 years)
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Must be a Ugandan ready to enroll in a full-time Ph.D. in Health Sciences or related social sciences at Makerere University.
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Must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
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Demonstrated commitment to HIV-related BSSR.
Benefits:
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Tuition and fieldwork support.
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Mentorship from leading scientists.
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Monthly stipend.
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Training in research writing, grantmanship, and ethics.
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Opportunities for presentation at conferences.
Application Process
Applicants should submit the following as a single PDF file (max 6 MB) to makbssr@gmail.com:
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Cover letter (max 1 page) expressing interest in the program.
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Curriculum Vitae (max 5 pages).
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Career development plan (max 2 pages).
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Concept note (max 2 pages) focused on one of the research priority areas.
Deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM (EAT)
Important Notes
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Ph.D. intakes at Makerere University occur in January and August each year.
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Recommendation letters are not required at this stage.
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Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For inquiries, contact:
The Training Coordinator, Mak-BSSR Project
Email: makbssr@gmail.com
This program is a collaboration between Makerere University College of Health Sciences, UCSF, and the Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), with support from the Fogarty International Centre (NIH).
