SAPPHGenE degree training opportunity: applications open until 28 February 2026 →

SOUTH AFRICA-PITTSBURGH PUBLIC HEALTH GENOMIC EPIDEMIOLOGY RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM

SOUTH AFRICA-PITTSBURGH PUBLIC HEALTH GENOMIC EPIDEMIOLOGY RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM

Training

Applications for degree training opportunity open until 28 February 2026

The South Africa-Pitt Public Health Genomic Epidemiology Training Program (SAPPHGenE) has been funded for another five-year cycle (2025-2030) by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fogarty International Center. The SAPPHGene Program is led by Dr. Anne von Gottberg, Section Lead of the laboratory of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis (CRDM) at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), and Dr. Lee Harrison, Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine and the head of the Center for Genomic Epidemiology at the University Pittsburgh,

Aim of the program

SAPPHGenE aims to provide early-career South African investigators with multidisciplinary tools needed to conduct cutting-edge research in public health genomics. The program will provide a combination of non-degree and post-graduate degree training by a multidisciplinary group of experienced mentors at University of Pittsburgh, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), University of the Witwatersrand and NICD. Trainees will have access to research training opportunities and resources available at the training sites.

SAPPHGenE Internal Scientific Committee: Cheryl Cohen, Mignon du Plessis, Nelesh Govender, Kedibone Ndlangisa, Sibongile Walaza, Nicole Wolter, Lee Harrison, Anne von Gottberg

SAPPHGenE External Training Advisory Committee: Brenda Kwambana-Adams, Duncan MacCannell, Penny Moore, Alison Morris, Rob Warren

Invitation for applications is now open

We would like to invite applications from South African citizens in possession of a completed BSc Hons or MSc degree with an interest in genomic epidemiology and bioinformatics to join us to complete an MSc or PhD, registered at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg with primary supervisors/mentors located at the NICD (CRDM or CHARM). Co-mentors will be located in the U.S. at CDC or University of Pittsburgh, and it is expected that recipients will travel to the U.S. for part of their training.

Program benefits

This highly competitive program includes funds for:

    • Stipends (not applicable if already getting a salary)
    • Tuition fees and university registration at Wits
    • Books and other educational expenses
    • Laptop computer with relevant software

For international training opportunities:

    • All travel expenses (e.g., airfare, visa, incidentals)
    • Non-taxable payment for living expenses and insurance
    • Administrative support for visas

 

Applications must include:

  • A full curriculum vitae (CV) including details of exceptional academic performance
  • Candidate’s motivation letter, including stated commitment to pursue SAPPHGenE research
      • Highlight likely contributions to research in South Africa
      • State broad or specific area/s of particular interest in public health (pathogen) genomics
      • Include the names of potential supervisors or mentors if already identified within SAPPHGenE +/- brief outline of proposed project
  • Two letters of recommendation and support (e.g., from previous tutors, supervisors or managers)

Applications should be sent to Havannah Tung (havannahtung@pitt.edu) for opportunities starting as soon as possible in 2026.

Deadline for applications is 28 February 2026.