PhD Student

Fully funded PhD studentship for 2026–2027, enabling registration for a PhD at UCL while conducting the majority of research at AHRI in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Applicants must be domiciled in South Africa and have completed or be close to completing a master's degree. The project (Project 5) investigates GLP-1 receptor agonists as modulators of gut immune homeostasis in people with HIV, embedded within the GLOBE-4 clinical study. Research activities include analysing longitudinal clinical samples (gut biopsies and blood) using flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and biomarker analysis to understand immune changes and their relationship to systemic inflammation and cardiometabolic risk. The award covers full tuition, living costs in Durban for two years and London for up to one year, plus two return economy flights between South Africa and the UK. Duration is three years with most time spent at AHRI and designated study periods at UCL in London. Selection includes an initial interview, followed by a final joint panel interview with AHRI and UCL supervisors. Applicants should submit the AHRI–UCL PhD Studentship – Project 5 application package including academic CV, passport/ID, transcripts, and degree certificates. Contact: Dr Kamini Gounder. Employment type: Contingent Worker.