Title
PhD position in the Economics of Vector-Borne Diseases
Closing date: 30 Jul 2025
Summary of the project
This PhD study is part of the project " Integrated Multi-vector-borne Diseases Platform to Assess Global Change Impacts on Transmission Using Innovative Systems Modeling, Novel Monitoring Tools, and Transmission-blocking Microorganisms (IMPACTING)” funded by the European Union.
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) remain a persistent public health challenge in Africa, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Climate change, environmental degradation, and human-induced ecosystem shifts are increasing the spread and intensity of these diseases. The EU-funded project IMPACTING takes an interdisciplinary approach to address these evolving threats by integrating innovative vector control, disease modeling, diagnostics, and policy tools. The project brings together ten institutions across East (Kenya), Central (Cameroon), and Southern Africa (Mozambique), and Europe (France and Portugal). Its focal diseases include malaria, dengue, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), onchocerciasis, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), transmitted by Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes, Glossina tsetse flies, Simulium blackflies, and Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus ticks.
- Model VBD risk under changing climatic and environmental conditions.
- Develop novel vector monitoring tools and diagnostics.
- Identify and test transmission-blocking microorganisms.
- Engage communities in co-developing effective surveillance and control interventions.
- Build a comprehensive, user-friendly risk prediction dashboard to inform policy.
We invite applications from highly motivated PhD candidates in agricultural economics, development economics, or related fields with a keen interest in the socio-economic dimensions of vector-borne diseases.
This PhD position will explore:
- The ex-ante and ex-post socio-economic impacts of VBD surveillance and control systems.
- Community-level barriers and enablers for adopting these systems.
- Opportunities for integrating economic resilience strategies such as carbon farming and sustainable land-use practices.
The successful candidate will work closely with a diverse research team spanning entomology, epidemiology, policy, modeling, and community engagement. The PhD research will be hosted at icipe in Nairobi, with frequent field visits to project sites. The successful candidate will be part of a vibrant group of PhD scholars at the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Sciences (ARPPIS) at icipe (https://www.icipe.org/capacity_building/grad).
Benefits
The fellowship covers:
- Research costs, including fieldwork and data collection expenses.
- Attractive and competitive stipend.
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and capacity-building workshops.
- Mentorship and training in scientific communication and grant writing.
- Applicants must note that tuition fees will not be covered.
Roles and Responsibilities
The candidate will:
- Support community consultation, mobilization, and policy engagement for VBD control.
- Participate in baseline and endline data collection, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and household surveys.
- Produce high-quality research on: (1) Institutional and socioeconomic barriers to VBD surveillance and control, (2) Socioeconomic impacts of VBDs on rural livelihoods, and (3) the impact of VBD surveillance and control innovations on various Development outcomes (e.g., reduction in disease incidence).
- Contribute to dissemination of research findings to project partners and stakeholders.
The specific research focus will be determined collaboratively with the supervisors within the broader research framework of IMPACTING.
Eligibility criteria
- Be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country.
- Hold a master’s degree (obtained within the last five years) in agricultural economics, development economics, economics, or a related discipline with both degrees at least at least Second Class/Upper Division or equivalent).
- Demonstrate knowledge of quasi-experimental methods, and economic modeling (e.g., partial equilibrium or economy-wide models).
- Be proficient in analytical software (STATA, R, or Python).
- Have excellent written and spoken English; Knowledge of French is an added advantage.
- Have experience in survey design and electronic data collection tools (e.g., CSPro).
- Be willing to travel and conduct fieldwork in rural settings.
- Experience in health economics or familiarity with vector-borne disease research is highly desirable.
- Candidates who are staff members of a public university or considered for university teaching/research staff recruitment are encouraged to apply.
- Qualified female candidates and candidates from underrepresented regions or those with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
The PhD position is based at icipe’s Duduville Campus in Nairobi, Kenya but with some periods in the field in Kenya and Cameroon.
The PhD project is fully funded for 3 years.
How to apply
Applications will be accepted up to 30th July 2025. Applicants must submit the following documents online (email applications will not be accepted):
· Completed application form, including a well-written abstract based on the research background (max. 750 words, excluding references) and a concept note (maximum 5 pages).
· A concise letter of motivation, outlining your interest in the position, relevant experience, and willingness to commit full-time to the PhD training Programme. Include a link to a sample of academic writing (e.g., MSc thesis or publication).
· A detailed CV (including academic background, field experience, and software skills; name, contact details, age, gender, and the names of at least three referees).
· Certified copies of BSc and MSc diplomas and transcripts.
· Submit your applications at the online portal: https://scholarships.icipe.org/calls/59
Selection Process
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview and written assessment.
- Successful candidates will be required to develop a full research proposal and register with a university after commencing their PhD at icipe.
For Questions and Further Information
For further inquiries about the PhD project, you may contact Dr. Zewdu Abro (zabro@icipe.org) and copying Dr. Beatrice Muriithi (bmuriithi@icipe.org). If you have any questions regarding the ARPPIS PhD Programme or your application, kindly contact Ms. Vivian Atieno, Capacity Building Officer, icipe. Email: vatieno@icipe.org
Application Deadline: 30th July 2025.