MSc and PhD Studentships
in Vaccinology
The Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation Vaccine
Preventable Diseases Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand is offering PhD and MSc
studentships in the field of vaccinology. The positions will be based at the unit at Chris Hani
Baragwanath Hospital, but may include collaboration with other departments at Wits, the NHLS,
or the NICD. There are a number of PhD and MSc projects on offer.
Areas of interest include:
 Pre-clinical identification and evaluation of vaccine candidates
o Genomics and reverse vaccinology approaches to antigen discovery
o animal models for evaluation of vaccines
o polymorphisms in vaccine antigens
 Association of mucosal and serum response in relation to asymptomatic colonization,
disease and vaccination status
 Effect of HIV exposure and/or infection on antibody responses to childhood vaccines
 Antibody kinetics to routine childhood vaccines
 Clinical and molecular epidemiology of newly identified respiratory viruses (bocavirus,
coronavirus, and rhinovirus)
Minimum Requirements
For MSc – a BSc honours or equivalent in Biological and Medical Science.
For PhD – a MSc or MBCHB
Experience in either of the following disciplines: Molecular biology, biochemistry, virology,
immunology and microbiology
Applicants must be South African Citizens
Remuneration
NRF Bursary paid quarterly as follows:
MSc – R50,000 /annum tax free.
PhD – R80,000 /annum tax free.
Wits fees will be paid by the unit.
Students with <R300,000 household income may be eligible for a top up.
Contacts
For further information, please contact Dr Peter Adrian, adrianp@rmpru.co.za, (011) 983 4268
or 082-776-5399