Call for Applications
2x Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Migration & Health in Africa
one year fellowship with possibility for a second year dependent on performance
Deadline for Applications – first call: 30 June 2025
Applications are invited for two postdoctoral fellowships at the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at Wits University. These fellowships are part of the Cluster of Research Excellence in Migration and Health (CoRE-MH) supported by the African Universities Research Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
The CoRE-MH is a joint initiative between the ARUA Centre of Excellence on Migration and Mobility hosted by the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at Wits University and the Global Health and Migration Unit (GHM), Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at the University of Uppsala in Sweden. The GHM also hosts the WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) on Migration and Health Data.
The postdoctoral fellows will be based at the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at Wits University with the opportunity to be hosted by Uppsala University for a maximum of two months over a 2-year period.
The CoRE-MH-MH addresses the key scientific challenge of identifying and developing solutions, relevant to the social, cultural and political contexts, to address the root causes of poor health among migrants to enhance the positive health outcomes of migration across one of the largest migration corridors globally, the African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) corridor.
These fellowships offer the opportunity to undertake research in the field of migration & health in Africa; whilst applications are welcome from across the continent, priority regions are West, North, Central, and East Africa. We invite applicants to propose research in any topic associated with migration & health in Africa.
The successful applicants will have experience of both working collaboratively as part of a diverse research team and successfully undertaking independent research. We are looking for individuals with demonstrated track records in taking initiative to drive research and related activities, including (for example) developing and coordinating seminars; reading groups.
Starting in August 2025 (negotiable), the successful applicants will join an interdisciplinary team of scholars exploring health and migration along the AU-EU migration corridor.
The postdocs will be supervised by Associate Professor Jo Vearey at Wits University with co-supervision from Dr Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil at Uppsala University.
Overview of key roles associated with the fellowship
- Work closely with Jo Vearey (Wits), Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil (Uppsala) and the CoRE coordinator (Uppsala) to finalise a detailed workplan associated with (1) undertaking proposed research and (2) to support development of the CoRE. This will include, but is not limited to:
- Undertaking primary research in the field of migration and health in the African context
- Publishing a minimum of two academic articles per year. This can include jointly-authored pieces with other CoRE-MH members
- Actively participate in CoRE-related activities and opportunities, including those offered by ARUA and The Guild, This will involve:
- Taking a leadership role in developing the Postgraduate and Early Career Researcher network of the CoRE-MH
- Supporting the establishment of joint doctoral degrees programmes
- Working with Wits colleagues to build and coordinate a CoRE-Wits Research Network on Migration & Health
- Participating in relevant policy forums and migration and health governance processes
- Explore fundraising opportunities and participate in research funding applications
- Actively participate in activities of the ACMS, contributing to its vision and mission. This will include, but is not limited to:
- Postgraduate teaching and co-supervision in the field of migration & health including co-coordination (with Jo Vearey) of the HONS/MA module in migration & health in southern Africa that runs in the second semester annually (July – Oct)
- Supporting postgraduate and postdoctoral professional development initiatives in collaboration with the ACMS postgraduate coordinator
Essential qualifications and experience:
- Fluency and experience of conducting research in English and at least one local language relevant to the proposed research context
- A PhD in Migration & Displacement, Health Sociology, Public Health or an associated discipline. The doctorate must have been awarded no longer than 5 years previously at the time of application.
- Working knowledge of the global migration and health research terrain
- Knowledge of African public healthcare systems and current responses to migration and mobility, including in the proposed research context
- A demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently, including in undertaking fieldwork in challenging settings
- Firm grounding in governance and policy research; qualitative research methods; and, data analysis. Experience in quantitative research and analysis will be an advantage.
- Prior experience in postgraduate teaching and/or supervision
- Ability to work across disciplines
- A record/emerging record of publication of research in internationally-recognised, peer-reviewed journals commensurate with experience
- A record/emerging record of presenting research to diverse audiences commensurate with experience
- An ability to travel to other countries required for fieldwork and/or CoRE meetings
- Experience in international research collaborations and partnership building
Desired experience:
- In addition to English and at least one local language relevant to the proposed research context, fluency and experience of conducting research and academic writing in Arabic, Portuguese and/or French
- Prior experience in health systems research in Africa and/or the Middle-East. This may include research in help-seeking and with plural healthcare systems, diverse healthcare users, public and NGO healthcare providers, and policy makers
- Two-three years of research experience after completion of doctorate
- Experience in working in the field of migration and health in other contexts, for example in the Middle-East, Asia, Latin America or Europe
- Experience in collaborating internationally as part of large and/or complex and diverse research teams
- Success in fundraising for research
- Prior experience in postgraduate teaching and/or supervision
- Experience in quantitative research and analysis
Timeframe: one year with possibility for a second year dependent on performance & availability of funding
Remuneration: ZAR 395,000 per year, plus Wits medical aid and ZAR 10,000 research funding per year
Anticipated start-date: 1 August 2025 (negotiable)
Application process:
Please submit your application as a single pdf to phindile.ngobese@wits.ac.za by 30 June 2025. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application; this will include information relating to the next steps in the application review process.
Applications should be submitted as a single pdf and include:
- Cover letter outlining your reasons for applying for the position. This should include an overview of your experience working in the field of migration and health in Africa (and, where relevant, elsewhere) and outline how you meet the essential (and desired where applicable) requirements for the position
- Full CV including:
- Description of your contribution in the case of jointly-authored publications
- Details of two referees: in the case of shortlisted applicants, the referees will be contacted and asked to provide a short report commenting on the applicant’s suitability for the position
- Evidence of award of PhD (e.g. degree certificate or award letter)
- Brief concept note (max 1500 words including references) outlining your proposed postdoctoral research project and its alignment with the ambitions of the CoRE-MH
- Two academic writing examples. These should be single-authored or first-authored and not a chapter from doctoral thesis. In the case of a jointly-authored piece, you should describe your contribution.
Further information: phindile.ngobese@wits.ac.za
The African (ARUA) co-lead for the CoRE in Migration & Health is Associate Professor Jo Vearey, Director of the ARUA Centre of Excellence on Migration and Mobility (CoE-MM). The CoE-MM is hosted by the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS) at Wits University, the leading institute for postgraduate training, research and outreach in the field of migration in the AFRO region. The ACMS is home to the Migration and Health Programme Southern Africa (maHp).
The European (Guild) co-lead is Dr Soorej Jose Puthoopparambil, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) on Migration and Health Data and Evidence at Uppsala University in Sweden. The Uppsala CC is one of the three WHO CCs that work with WHO globally, through activities such as producing policy guidance and conducting trainings, to promote migrant health. The WHO CC is hosted at the Global Health and Migration Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at the University. The department has decades of experience in capacity building (including joint PhDs) in the AU context in the field of public health.