CDT-Africa, Addis Ababa University Ph.D. in Translational Medicine 2024/25

Background 

The Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa) is a World Bank-supported Africa centre of excellence for higher education and research at the College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Centre aims to improve access to health care through novel medical discoveries (medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, care delivery mechanisms) supported by clinical trials. 

The Center has a Ph.D. program in Translational Medicine with three tracks:

  1. Vaccine Development;
  2. Diagnostic Development; and
  3. Drug Development.

This Ph.D. program aims to produce independent scientists who would have the appropriate knowledge, attitude, and skills in designing, developing, and delivering medical solutions - vaccines, diagnostics, and drugs - through an integrated multidisciplinary translational biomedical sciences training. Specifically, the PhD program intends to equip new generation of scientists with knowledge and skills which enable them:

  1. To develop new vaccines and/or adapt already existing vaccine development technologies, as well as successfully execute and monitor complex vaccine clinical trials (Vaccine Development track);
  2. To develop new and innovative diagnostics for existing and emerging diseases (Diagnostic Development track); and 
  3. To develop new drugs and adapt active pharmaceutical ingredients production technology for local manufacturing (Drug Development track). The Centre is accepting applicants for the Ph.D. in Translational Medicine program since 2019.

Students in this PhD program will need to complete coursework corresponding to 53 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System), 4 ECTS seminar work, 2 ECTS attachment, and doctoral thesis work. The Ph.D. program has a maximum total duration of four years. The coursework, seminar, and attachment will be given in the first year and the doctoral thesis will be worked on in the remaining years. 

Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Translational Medicine should be able to:

  • Lead drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics development studies in an integrated  multidisciplinary research program;
  • Independently design sound research protocols in translational medicine and secure grants;
  • Establish/strengthen therapeutic R&D centers in industries, academia, or research institutions;
  • Lead research units involved in the development of  vaccines, diagnostics or drugs;
  • Offer translational medicine and related courses to postgraduate and undergraduate students and supervise research projects;
  • Manage large-scale clinical trial studies;
  • Positively influence society and serve as an agent of change in matters related to health science in general and therapeutics in particular;
  • Make strong contributions to the overall education of future scientists;
  • Be able to effectively communicate scientific knowledge to the public, policy-makers, and peers; and
  • Contribute to translating discovery into product commercialization 

Eligibility

Applicants need to fulfill the following minimum requirements: 

  • MSc degree in translational medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, immunology, biochemistry, physiology, medical laboratory technology, microbiology, parasitology, biology, biotechnology, medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, biomedical sciences, MD/DVM with specialty certificate or with MSc  in biomedical or life sciences, or other related fields of study;
  • Submit and defend a project concept note relevant to any of the three tracks and take and pass written and/or oral entry examination;
  • Meet also the general requirements laid down by the School of Graduate Studies, Addis Ababa University;
  • Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English as English is the medium of education;
  • Strong candidates from private or public institutions are eligible to apply for the program; and
  • Applicants could be from Ethiopia or other countries in Eastern or Southern Africa, while priority could be given to national and other African partner institutions. 

The Center has modest funding to support research projects of all students. National applicants from public institutions are required to submit sponsorship letter if they are selected. The Centre does not give stipends for students, except covering living expenses for non-national students. However, the Centre has incentive mechanisms for any student who achieves certain millstones on time or extraordinarily exhibits innovation or creativity. Private applicants need to pay their registration and tuition fee, except when a candidate is eligible for a scholarship due to exceptional capacity.

Application must be submitted online using the graduate application portal of the Addis Ababa University Office of the Registrar (http://admission.aau.edu.et/HowToApply). Additionally, CV and motivation letter must be submitted in electronic copy via email to Dr Tsegahun Manyazewal (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) copying  Michele Joseph (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Non-Ethiopian applicants should submit their documents using the email addresses stated above.

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

•       Application deadline is 11th October 2024. Follow the Addis Ababa University Office of the Registrar website for the application deadline and Graduate Admission Test (GAT).