Postgraduate Bursaries – 2025

Stellenbosch University 2018 graduation (Photo:GCIS)

Postgraduate Degree Programmes

SACEMA provides research facilities and a stimulating environment in which scientists can interact to transcend disciplinary and institutional boundaries. We support postgraduate degree programmes at the Honours, Masters, and PhD level. The focus of the postgraduate studies may include mathematics, epidemiology, biostatistics, global health, data science and biochemistry.

Join the SACEMA team at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) in advancing health through innovative epidemiological modelling.

SACEMA invites applications for MSc, PhD, and Postdoctoral positions in infectious disease epidemiological modelling. We seek individuals with a strong background in quantitative sciences, including Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Epidemiology, etc., to join our innovative research projects.

Broad modelling project topics:

  • Interprovincial differences in the HIV epidemic in South Africa, and other HIV related projects.
  • Impact of prevention strategies on the burden of hepatitis B virus in South Africa.
  • Optimising wastewater surveillance for infectious diseases, including polio, measles, influenza and hepatitis E.
  • Prevention of HPV infection and related cancer in South Africa.
  • Estimating population immunity against polio and measles in South Africa and other African countries.
  • Optimising health systems in West, East and Southern Africa for HIV and related co-morbidities.
  • Epidemiological analyses of childhood cancer in South Africa.

Minimum Requirements for all degrees:

  • Proficiency in English, both oral and written.
  • Some experience in coding in R, C++, or any other similar language.

Application closing date: 31 October 2024

Masters Degree

Additional requirement: Honours Degree / Structured Masters Degree in Mathematical Statistics, Epidemiology, Econometrics, Data Science, Mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field.

Click here to apply!

PhD Degree

Additional requirement: Research Masters in Mathematical Statistics, Epidemiology, Econometrics, Data Science, Mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field.

Click here to apply!

Postdoctoral Candidates

Additional requirements:

  • PhD in Mathematical Statistics, Epidemiology, Econometrics, Data Science, Mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field.
  • Proven track record in research and publications, with several high-quality publications as a first author.
  • PhD must have been obtained within the last 5 years.

Click here to apply!

Application guidelines:

Please make sure that you have the following required materials ready before starting the process, as you will not be able to save your progress:

  1. A current Curriculum Vitae (no more than 3 pages)
  2. A motivation/statement of interest (no more than 400 words)
  3. A reference letter from your last degree’s supervisor (preferably) or other mentor

* Submission of your application does not automatically qualify you for funding.

Shortlisted candidates will be aligned with a SACEMA-affiliated supervisor and a project that falls within one of our research themes.

At SACEMA, students will be registered at Stellenbosch University and in most cases must be physically based at SACEMA. The registration process will commence after the award has been confirmed.

You will have:

  • Mentorship from experienced researchers.
  • International collaboration opportunities.
  • Contribution to impactful publications.
  • Professional development through training workshops and seminars.
  • Opportunities to apply for travel support for external workshops and conference participation.

Further enquiries may be directed to: SACEMA Training Coordinator, Faikah Bruce at faikah@sun.ac.za