Deadline: Unspecified
Applications are open for the UNU-IIGH Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme 2026. The Global Health PhD Fellowship Programme at the United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) offers an opportunity for PhD candidates to enrich their doctoral training through direct engagement with global health policy processes in the UN system.
The Fellowship is designed to provide hands-on experience in applied research, policy analysis, and knowledge translation. Fellows will be embedded within UNU-IIGH’s research team and will contribute to policy-relevant work that supports UN agencies, governments, and partners.
Successful candidates will be assigned to a project under the mentorship of a UNU-IIGH researcher. Fellows are expected to actively engage in the Institute’s work and contribute to its research, policy, and capacity development activities.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the supervision of the work package lead, the PhD Fellow will:
- Contribute to literature reviews, analysis, and preparation of draft reports or journal manuscripts for assigned projects within UNU-IIGH’s global health portfolio.
- Co-lead (with supervision) the development of a UNU-IIGH report, policy brief, and/or peer-reviewed journal manuscript based on work conducted during the Fellowship, aligned with both the Fellow’s PhD research and UNU-IIGH’s active projects.
- Support the research and programmes team on assigned projects, including (as relevant) event preparation, communications, project planning, and reporting.
- Identify and meet mutually agreed research, programme, and learning objectives with the supervisor, including in areas such as global health governance, health policy and systems, and evidence-to-policy translation.
- Present a seminar on a mutually agreed topic and provide a short reflection on the Fellowship experience at the end of the placement.
- Communicate regularly and effectively with the supervisor and UNU-IIGH team and deliver assigned outputs to a high professional standard and within agreed timelines.
- Comply with all relevant UNU-IIGH, UNU, and UN policies and procedures, including onboarding and administrative requirements.
Benefits
- Exposure to global health policy processes within the UN system.
- Hands-on experience in policy-relevant research and knowledge translation.
- Mentorship from senior UNU-IIGH researchers.
- Opportunity to contribute to high-impact policy and research outputs.
Eligibility
Applicants should:
- Be currently enrolled in a PhD programme in global health, public health, health policy, or a related field.
- Have strong analytical and writing skills in English.
- Demonstrate interest in global health policy, governance, and applied research.
- Be able to work independently and collaboratively in an international, multidisciplinary environment.
Application
Send your CV and 3 references to UNU-IIGH Director’s email: [email protected]
For more information, visit UNU-IIGH Global Health PhD Fellowship.
