CREATE PhD Programme Fellow (x5)

CREATE is an exciting consortium of 5 UK Universities, with 6 partner research institutions in Africa and Asia, funded by Wellcome to train high-calibre health professionals who wish to undertake a PhD as a first step towards a clinical academic career.

The 5 UK Universities — London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Brighton and Sussex Medical School at the University of Sussex (BSMS), University of Sheffield (UoS), University of Bristol (UoB), and University of Southampton (UoSo) — have established partnerships with 6 partner institutions in Asia and Africa: Aga Khan University, Pakistan (AKU), University of Ghana (UoG), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits), The Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Zimbabwe (BRTI), MRC The Gambia (MRCG), and MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit (MRCU).

CREATE will support doctoral fellowships for health professionals from all disciplines with an aspiration for developing a research career. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives and all categories of allied health professionals, including pharmacists and healthcare scientists, and those in veterinary medicine, dentistry and all sub-specialties within medicine and surgery. Applicants must have an interest in global health research and successful applicants will develop their potential to become global health leaders within a structured and mentored training environment.

Fellows will register their PhD at one of the 5 UK institutions and will be expected to conduct their research in and spend extended periods of time (18 months minimum) at one of the Programme Africa/Asia partner institutions in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Pakistan, South Africa, The Gambia, and Uganda as part of their PhD. Fellows will all have a primary supervisor in one of the five UK universities and a co-primary supervisor at the Africa/Asia institution where they will be based.

The scope of the research is deliberately broad and must fulfil the following criteria: (1) research will focus on the health problems pertinent to the countries/region where the fellow will conduct their research; (2) research must fulfil the criteria of Discovery Research as defined by Wellcome. Wellcome defines Discovery Research as 'covering studies across fields and disciplines that lead to new knowledge of life, health and wellbeing', incorporating disciplinary breadth. Projects that range from the fundamentals of biology to the development of new methods, tools and technologies will be within remit. Population health studies exploring the social, ethical, cultural, political, economic and historical contexts of human health are also funded. Inter-disciplinary research ideas are encouraged.

On completion of their PhD, CREATE fellows will receive individually tailored support to develop their research careers.

Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be practising healthcare professionals registered with a national professional regulatory body in the UK/Republic of Ireland (e.g. General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council).
- Those with provisional registration or at pre-registration stage are not eligible.
- All applicants must have a minimum of two years of clinical experience following their qualification.
- Medical graduates must be registered on a UK/Republic of Ireland training programme or be a registered GP. Those on a training programme must have a minimum of 12 months left to complete their CCT in their chosen specialty by the time the PhD is awarded.
- Nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) must have a Masters Degree in a relevant field.
- Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be eligible for UK/home fees.

Support and Benefits:
- Support is for three years and includes a salary, research expenses, home rate tuition fees, and training and travel costs.
- Appointments will be made to match an appointee's current salary plus London allowance if applicable.
- Every effort will be made to match NMAHP salaries to the Agenda For Change scale.
- Applicants should maintain their clinical skills, if applicable.

Application Process:
The application is a two-stage process. Stage 1 is an online application form assessing the applicant's suitability for the CREATE PhD Programme, including motivation to undertake doctoral research training and vision for their PhD research and career. Each question must be completed within the word limit.

Approximately 15–20 applicants will be selected from Stage 1 and invited to develop a full Stage 2 application comprising a competitive PhD proposal with a detailed budget and relevant supervisors. Up to five applicants will be selected for funding following external peer review and interview in May 2027. If successful, fellows will be required to take up the fellowship within 12 months of the award being made.

Fellowships are due to commence in September 2027.