Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW) is committed to promoting research and research training led by Malawian & and international scientists. The aim is to improve the health of people in Malawi and elsewhere in the region. MLW has a unique translational research portfolio that links an excellent laboratory
research base to strong hospital and community-based research and high-level policy formulation.

The MLW Research Strategy is built around six thematic areas: (1) Infection Biology, (2) Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health, (3) Clinical and Experimental Medicine, (4) Vaccines, (5) Population Health and (6) Social Science. Researchers are organized into 22 research groups, and these are described on the MLW website:
https://www.mlw.mw.

The KUHeS research agenda is broad ranging from disease-focused thematic areas such as HIV, malaria, and cancer to multi-disciplinary thematic areas such as reproductive health, nutrition, and child development and health policy. Details of areas of research interests of KUHeS faculty members and research organizations at KUHeS can be accessed on these websites: https://www.kuhes.ac.mw.

There are exciting training opportunities for which we will accept applications between now and 15 April 2024 – see below for details of the opportunity.

An information session will be held at MLW in Nyika room on 29th March from 12:00 – 13:00
Email training@mlw.mw to indicate if you will attend and to reserve your seat.

Applications must be sent to training@mlw.mw. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

All documents should be saved using file names starting with the following pattern:
“Surname_GivenNames_PrePhD/PreMasters/PhDTuition_Application.”

Information on research groups/themes can be found at https://www.mlw.mw and https://www.kuhes.ac.mw/. For any other questions and clarifications, please contact the MLW Training &
Development team at training@mlw.mw

For all opportunities, the application closing date is 15th April 2024

12-month post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) bridging fellowships

We are looking to recruit 2 post-doctoral candidates who will work in MLW/KUHeS-relevant research areas and who are within 2 years after receiving their PhD degree award. Specifically, we are looking for candidates who show potential to develop into independent researchers over time and who, with senior support and mentorship, will be able to develop competitive international post-doctoral PDR fellowship applications within the period of these bridging fellowships. We aim to support talent with exciting research and mentorship opportunities at MLW/KUHeS, and where applicable with co-supervision from senior academics from other national or international institutes. The Wellcome Trust funds the MLW Training Fund (2023-2025) and aims to support Malawian-based candidates.

We will award one-year fellowships that will cover the salary of the candidate plus £10,000 in research funding for eligible research costs. Applications will be reviewed by an academic review. Successful candidates will need to show how the PDRA fellowships will help them develop their own research agenda and secure a longer-term early career researcher award that aligns with the MLW research agenda.

Application process

Applications must include the following:

1. An application letter detailing your suitability for the fellowship, motivation, and career ambition as well as the research group you would like to work with and how the fellowship project and research group align with your career vision.
2. A letter of support from a potential supervisor (based in the research group of your choice) with a proven research track record in the applicant’s chosen research thematic area.
3. A detailed CV, including information on academic performance and achievements to date, including any awards and personal distinctions, research grants and/or fellowship funding received, and any relevant outputs, including publications and presentations.
4. Photocopied certificates and transcripts
5. A 2-page outline fellowship plan with a budget for up to £10,000 in research costs, outlining any other existing funding sources that may contribute to the fellowship.

Assessment process
Fellowship applications will be assessed on the following: academic performance and potential of the candidate, quality of the proposed research, supervisory team and training environment, alignment of the research to MLW-KUHeS research areas and proposed career track, and planned next career steps, application presentation, and interview performance.

Applications will need to show how the fellowship will help the candidate to transition to independent research funding.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a panel of senior scientists for the final selection of successful candidates. Further guidance on the application requirements can be downloaded from the MLW website (careers & training section). Information on research groups/themes is found on the above website.