CALL FOR PHD STUDENTS - CryptoT&T

Host Institution: Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Mozambique and the University of Bergen, Norway

Funding Level: Funds available to support research activities, subsistence and University fees.

Funding period: 2025-2028

Open Application Date: 27th of March 2025

Close Application Date: 27th of April 2025

Possible Starting date for the selected applicant: 1 st of June 2025

The Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM) in collaboration with local and international partners is planning to undertake a project entitled "Impact of a cryptosporidiosis point-of-care test-and-treat strategy in children with diarrhoea (CryptoT&T)". The project is funded by the Global Health (GH) European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) 3 and is a collaboration between partners in Mozambique, Norway, and Ethiopia. Therefore, CISM intends to recruit 2 competent PhD students for this collaborative project:

PhD Project Title 1: “Prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of diarrheic children with and without Cryptosporidium infection in Mozambique.”

PhD Project Title 2: “Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp in Mozambique and Ethiopia."

Summary of the Project: Cryptosporidium is an intestinal parasite causing cryptosporidiosis, a prevalent diarrheal disease among young children in low- and middle income countries. Treatment is often hindered by the limited availability of affordablepoint-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests. LED microscopy of auramine- phenol (AP) stained fecal smears has demonstrated promising diagnostic accuracy in detecting Cryptosporidium. In the Crypto T&T study, we will implement a test-and-treat strategy in a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial. The aim is to assess the clinical effectiveness of LED-AP testing, in conjunction with access to targeted drug treatment, in reducing the duration of cryptosporidiosis-induced diarrhea in children aged 12-23 months.

In PhD Project 1, we will describe the prevalence and clinical presentation of Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea in Mozambique, as well as Cryptosporidium species and risks factors for Cryptosporidium infection. We will also assess the prevalence of other common diarrheal pathogens in Mozambique.

In project 2 we will perform molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp to assess the distribution of genotypes and to correlate the species and subtypes with treatment outcome.

Student Requirements: A competent candidate for the studentship should fulfil the following criteria:

1. The position is open to candidates working at Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM) and partner institutions

2. Hold a BSc and MSc or MD/MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences

3. Minimum of average grade for BSc and MSc of 70%

4. Research experience in microbiology and molecular techniques

5. Has published at least one first authored manuscript in an indexed, peer reviewed journal (preferably on the area of diarrhoea research)

6. Excellent communication skills in English language and strong computer literacy

7. High personal motivation and willingness to travel as required to field sites

8. Commits 100% of his time to the PhD study and to the project

9. Women are highly encouraged to apply

Value of Studentship

The PhD students will be enrolled in the Department of Clinical Science at the University of Bergen. The student will spend 6-12 months in Norway, with the remaining duration in Mozambique.

Funds available to support research activities, University fees and stay at the University of Bergen as required

Required Documents:

The application must include the following numbered attachments:

1. Application letter detailing your motivation for a PhD-education with this project including a description of how your background & experience can contribute to the project and clearly indicates your preferred project (max 2 pages)

2. Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages).

3. Copies of diplomas and transcripts of all academic degrees with translation and transcript of grades to English. Regarding enrolment at UiB, approval from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK - dir) concerning whether the education (bachelor and master) corresponds in scope and level to a Norwegian Master’s degree, please see https://hkdir.no/en/foreigneducation for more information. This will take some time and we recommend you to contact HK-dir as soon as you decide to apply for the position. If no review by the application deadline, please enclose a confirmation from HK – dir that they have received your application. Please note that the automatic recognition offered by HK-dir is not sufficient and will not be a basis for admission to the PhD programme.

4. Please also see the requirements for English language qualifications at UiB: https://www.uib.no/en/education/49142/english-language-requirements-mastersprogrammes-taught-english.

5. Enclose up to three of your scientific work/publications from the last 5 years along with a brief overview of the content and your own contribution for each of these.

6. Submit two letters of recommendation (at least one should be your Master’s thesis supervisor and should contain a (max 1 page) statement. The second can be an academic reference or professional reference from someone who knows you well and can comment on your potential as a graduate student).

7. Indicate your project preference.

NB: Only applications that provide all the aforementioned documents will be considered.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit the required documents simultaneously to delfino.vubil@manhica.net; teresa.machai@manhica.net and Kurt.Hanevik@uib.no