PhD Student

Description:

The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), in partnership with University College London (UCL), invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship for the 2026–2027 academic cycle.

This opportunity offers the successful candidate the chance to register for a PhD at UCL while conducting the majority of their research at AHRI in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The studentship is open to applicants who are permanently What this studentship offers: domiciled in South Africa.

Overview of Duties:

What this studentship offers:

The studentship provides comprehensive financial support, which covers the following:

• Full tuition fees
• Living costs in Durban for two years
• Living costs in London for up to one year
• Two return economy flights between South Africa and the UK
• UCL bench fees

Duration:

The PhD studentship is three years in duration, with students expected to spend most of their time at conducting their research at AHRI, alongside designated periods of study at UCL in London.

Number of awards:

The PhD studentship is three years in duration, with students expected to spend most of their time at conducting their research at AHRI, alongside designated periods of study at UCL in London.

Number of awards:

Up to two studentships are available across seven research projects in diverse disciplines. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review each of the seven available projects and apply for the one that best matches their interests and expertise.

Please note: each call relates to one specific project only.

Eligibility criteria:

Applicants must:

• Be domiciled in South Africa at the time of application
• Have completed or be close to completing a master's degree (or equivalent)
• Be able to take on a full-time PhD if successful
• Obtain letters of recommendation from both a UCL and an AHRI supervisor
• Obtain three referee letters from previous academic supervisors/line managers
• Meet the UCL English language requirements (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/english-language-requirements )
• Be willing to spend up to one year in London (this may be split into four three-month periods)
• Hold a valid passport at the time of application

Please note there may be additional requirements depending on the project.

Project 1: Human airway immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Supervisors:

AHRI: Prof Alasdair Leslie
UCL: Prof Mahdad Noursadeghi

The respiratory mucosa is the primary site of entry for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and increasing evidence highlights the importance of airway-resident immune responses—including IgA, Th17 cells, tissue-resident memory T cells, MAIT cells, γδ T cells, and alveolar macrophages—in controlling infection. However, human mucosal correlates of protection remain poorly defined, as most studies focus on peripheral blood, which does not accurately reflect airway immunity. This represents a critical gap in understanding immune protection and in the development of effective TB vaccines.

This project aims to generate a detailed understanding of human airway mucosal immunity and the factors influencing protection against Mtb in high-burden African settings. Samples collected from a multi-site African cohort will enable comparison of immune responses across compartments, including nasal mucosa, induced sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and matched blood samples.

Using high-resolution approaches such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), alongside flow cytometry, systems serology, and microbiome analysis, the study will define immune landscapes within individuals and across populations. The project will identify biologically meaningful immune endotypes and characterise Mtb-reactive lymphocytes, including through T-cell receptor sequencing approaches.

These data will be integrated to develop mathematical models describing host–environment interactions and predicting anti-mycobacterial immunity. The findings will contribute to identifying mucosal correlates of protection and informing the design and evaluation of TB vaccines in high-burden settings.

Further details on this project are available here:
Project1_concept_Leslie_Noursadeghi.docx

Selection process

The selection process will include:

Stage 1: Initial interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

Stage 2: Final interview
Final candidates will meet with AHRI and UCL supervisors and participate in a joint panel interview.

How to apply

Applicants should complete the 2026–2027 AHRI–UCL PhD Studentship – Project 1 of 7_Human Airway Immunity to Tuberculosis_Leslie-Noursadeghi form and upload the following supporting documents:

• Academic CV
• Passport or ID document
• Certified copies of academic transcripts
• Original degree certificates

For more details or assistance, please contact AHRI education and training unit via education@ahri.org with the subject heading: 2026–2027 AHRI–UCL PhD Studentship – Project 1 of 7_ Leslie-Noursadeghi.

Worker Type:

Contingent Worker

The application closing date:

27 Jun 2026

AHRI is a values-driven organisation. As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership.

Our values
The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.


Employment equity
AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable. AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.