PhD and Masters Scholarships at Mbarara University of Science and Technology

Call For Applications (Deadline: 26th May 2024)

Project Title: Action Towards Reducing Aquatic snail-borne Parasitic diseases

(ATRAP) Phase II

Project background
ATRAP is a five-year multidisciplinary collaboration between Mbarara University of Science
and Technology (Uganda), the Royal Museum for Central Africa (Belgium), the University of
Kinshasa and Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (Democratic Republic of Congo,
with funding support from Belgium Development Agency for the period 2024-2029. The
overall aim of the project is to aid in the prevention of snail-borne diseases in Uganda and
Congo, with a focus on community engagement through the citizen science approach. This
is a phase II project, which is a continuation of phase I that was successfully implemented
from 2019 to 2023 (https://www.africamuseum.be/en/get_involved/citizen_science/ATRAP).
Therefore, in this call, we are looking for suitable Ugandan candidates to fill 3 PhD positions
at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, two in the biological strand and one in
the social sciences strand, and two master’s positions, one in the biological and another
one in the social sciences and Communication aspects of the project.

PhD Topics

Topic one (Biology)

Optimisation of LAMP assays to detect the presence of snail and parasite species involved
in schistosomiasis transmission, based on their eDNA in water samples (‘eLAMP’). LAMP
(loop-mediated isothermal amplification) can be conducted without the need for a specialised
laboratory, enabling diagnosis near the actual or potential transmission sites in the field.
Genus and species-specific primers will be used or adapted from existing LAMP assay
primers (e.g., Blin et al., 2021a; Mesquita, 2021; Yongkiettrakul et al., 2017) while the eDNA
sampling and filtration protocol will be adapted from existing templates. Special attention will
be given to developing methods that can be easily applied as close as possible to the water
contact site (point of care) and methods that are robust but cost- and time efficient.
Sampling of the eDNA will occur before and after the intervention applied in the different
contact sites to determine the effectiveness of the interventions (e.g. snail control by manually
removing them from the water and use of a proven plant-based molluscicides like endod
berry; and constructed wetland for water filtration coupled with behaviour change in Uganda).

Topic two (Biology)

Randomised control trial to explore the efficacy of a herbal soap from endod (Phytolacca
dodecandra) berries as a plant-based saponin molluscicide. Endod is a readily available

Pharm-Bio Technology and Traditional Medicine Centre (PHARMBIOTRAC)

Mbarara University of Science & Technology P.O.Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda
E-mail: @must.ac.ug, Website: http://www.must.ac.ug
native shrub plant to tropical Africa with a long history of use by African communities as a
medicinal plant in treating various ailments such as worm, bacterial and fungal infections
(Beressa et al., 2020), and as a soap in East Africa. Endod has been promoted as a
sustainable local and natural method of snail control, specifically in East Africa (King, 2015).
Therefore, the student will be required to; 1) carry out randomised control trials to explore the
efficacy of the cultivation and use of endod as a plant-based saponin molluscicide, 2) Conduct
controlled experiments to determine the doses required to kill the snails without causing
significant harm to other water organisms like macroinvertebrates and fish, and 3) Develop
herbal washing soap from the endod berry extracts.

Topic three (Social Science)

Evaluating the acceptability, adoption and effectiveness of selected interventions in the
control of snail-borne disease in endemic communities of Uganda. Community-Based
Participatory Research Strategy integrating the citizen science approach shall be employed
to 1) conduct a baseline study to understand community perceptions and attitudes regarding
the application of locally applied WASH interventions described above; 2) assess community
capability, social and cultural acceptability and willingness to uptake of endod-based soap
and filtered water from the constructed wetland in the prevention and control of
schistosomiasis; 3) co-design and implement with the citizen scientists and local communities
the locally applied WASH interventions and health education that target behaviour change
and finally; 4) evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented interventions.

PhD candidate's profile:

a) Biological strand
- Must be willing to undertake a PhD in Biology offered by the Department of Biology,
Faculty of Science at MUST.
- The candidate must have an MSc degree in biological sciences or a relevant field
and a relevant first degree from a recognised university.
- Must have acquired at least second-class upper division from Bachelor’s degree.
- Molecular lab experience and statistical skills are an added advantage.
- Experience with fieldwork activities is an added advantage.
- Must be interested in working in the field of snail-borne diseases.
- Must be interested in doing regular fieldwork around the lake Albert region.
- Experience with academic writing will be an added advantage.
- Should be willing to work under minimum supervision in multidisciplinary and
international teams.
- Should be a good communicator and writer.

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NB: For topic two above, candidates from the Vector Control Division (VCD) of the Ministry
of Health-Uganda will have an added advantage as this position targets capacity building of
the unit.
b) Social science strand
- Must be willing to undertake a PhD in Development Studies offered in the Faculty of
Interdisciplinary Studies at MUST.
- Should have a master’s degree in social sciences, development studies, public health,
sociology, and a relevant first degree from a recognised university.
- Having a second-class upper degree and above in the Bachelor’s degree will be an
added advantage.
- Experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, community
engagement methodologies and working in interdisciplinary research teams are
desirable.
- Knowledge of Runyoro-Rutooro and/or Alur will be an added advantage.
- Should be willing to work under minimum supervision in multidisciplinary and
international teams.
- Should be a good communicator and writer.

Candidate profile for Master’s scholarship candidates:

c) MSc in Biology
- Must be willing to undertake a MSc in Biology: either in Natural Resources’ Ecology,
Management and Conservation (NRM), or in Microbiology and Parasitology (MAP)
offered in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science at MUST.
- The candidate must have at least a second upper Bachelor Science degree in
biological sciences or a relevant field and a relevant first degree from a recognised
university.
- Must have done and passed biology at an advanced level (A-level).
- Must be interested in working in the field of snail-borne diseases. The candidate shall
work in collaboration with the PhD student leading the Biology Topic one described
above.
- Must be interested in doing regular fieldwork around the Lake Albert region.
- Should be willing to work under minimum supervision in multidisciplinary and
international teams.
- Should be a good communicator and writer.

d) Master of Arts in Development Studies

- Must be willing to undertake a Master of Arts in Development Studies offered in the
Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies at MUST.
- Should have a second upper Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, development
studies, public health, or Sociology, and a relevant first degree from a recognised
university.

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 - Should be willing to work in collaboration and under direct supervision of the PhD
student leading Topic Three (Social science) described above.
- Should be willing to work under minimum supervision in multidisciplinary and
international teams.
- Should be a good communicator and writer.

General Notes:
(i) Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
(ii) Candidates should be willing to work away from home and in hard-to-reach areas
for extended periods.
(iii) Interested candidates shall be supported to purse joint PhD degrees between
MUST and selected universities in Europe wherever possible.

Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship caters for tuition fees, research costs, short stays in Belgium (for PhD
students only), and a modest monthly stipend in Uganda.

Student Selection Criteria

Since the ATRAP project focuses on capacity building in host countries, priority will be
given to Ugandan nationals in this call. Interested candidates should apply or must have
applied for admission at MUST into the academic programmes. Visit
https://applications.must.ac.ug to apply for admission into the postgraduate programme.
Application procedures
The application should include:
• A concept note (no more than 3 pages), is mandatory for PhD applicants. The
concept note must include a title for the proposed study, a brief background
highlighting key literature, the research problem, the main research question, the
methodology and a list of key references.
• A cover letter (1 page)
• A CV (2 pages)
• Copies of academic documents (no more than 5 pages)
• A statement of motivation – what interests you in this topic and why do you think
you are the best candidate for the PhD/MSc position (1 page).
• A letter of recommendation from the current employer/immediate supervisor (1
page) – if applicable.
• A letter from an academic referee supporting your application (1 page). The
application should be compiled into one document of no more than 15 pages in
total.
• Evidence of application for admission at MUST is required.
• Only complete applications will be assessed.

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 • The applications should be addressed (and submitted) to the ATRAP Ugandan
Promoter by email: tolocas@must.ac.ug. Ensure that the following are included in
the cc: jtumusiime90@must.ac.ug and manyolitho@lirauni.ac.ug
• All applications should be submitted by 26th May 2024, 5:00 pm EAT.
• Interviews: The selection process will involve two stages – a pre-selection phase
between May 27th and 31st 2024, and the final selection between June 4 th and 5th
2024. The successful candidate should be ready to start his/her PhD or Masters
studies by June 15th 2024.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Date of Publication: 15th May 2024

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