EPMA Postdoctoral Fellowship – Second Cohort: Driving RMNCH Research in East Africa
The Ethiopia Performance Monitoring for Action (EPMA) project, housed within the School of Public Health at Addis Ababa University, is proud to announce the opening of its Postdoctoral Fellowship program for the second cohort. This initiative is a cornerstone of EPMA’s ambition to establish a Center of Excellence in RMNCH Survey Research in East Africa, supported by the Gates Foundation and backed by the technical expertise of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
This program is designed for recent doctoral graduates who are eager to transition from academic training to impactful research leadership. As a postdoctoral fellow, you will be at the forefront of generating evidence-based insights using the robust EPMA datasets, addressing critical gaps in maternal and child health across Ethiopia’s diverse regions. The fellowship is a rigorous 24-month commitment that focuses on advanced analytics, research translation, and professional development.
About the Fellowship
The program offers a structured environment where fellows are expected to produce high-quality research, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and engage in the academic life of the university. Fellows will be supported by a dedicated mentorship team and will develop a personalized professional development plan. The program specifically aims to foster gender balance, with a goal to ensure that at least two of the four fellows across both cohorts are women.
Research Focus Areas
Applicants must choose one of two specific research focus areas, each designed to tackle pressing issues in public health:
- Focus Area 1: Remote Data Collection for Longitudinal Follow-Up Surveys
This path focuses on methodological innovation. The fellow will design a randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of phone-based remote interviews against traditional in-person follow-ups for cohort studies. This role is ideal for candidates with experience in survey methodology, longitudinal data, and cost-effectiveness analysis. - Focus Area 2: Climate Change, Agricultural Productivity, and Fertility Dynamics
This area explores the complex interplay between environmental factors and reproductive health. The fellow will utilize satellite data and survey data to examine how climate-induced agricultural stress influences fertility behaviors, contraceptive use, and maternal health outcomes in rural Ethiopia. This role is suited for candidates with strong geospatial analysis skills and an interest in environmental epidemiology.
Who Should Apply
The ideal candidate holds a doctoral degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field completed within the last five years. They must have a proven publication record, with at least one article as a first author, and possess strong quantitative data analysis skills using software such as Stata, SPSS, or R. Applicants must be affiliated with Addis Ababa University and demonstrate a commitment to staying in Addis for the fellowship's duration.
Program Benefits
The fellowship provides a competitive monthly allowance, access to office space at SPH-AAU, and the opportunity to network with leading researchers in the field. Fellows will also participate in capacity-building workshops and skill-building seminars organized by the R-SAT center, ensuring they are well-equipped for their future careers in academia or policy-making.
Application Process
Interested candidates are required to submit their applications via the online portal at https://postdoc.epmadata.org/. The application must include a detailed curriculum vitae, a concept note (2-3 pages) aligned with the chosen focus area, and a response to the eligibility criteria.
The application deadline is September 10, 2026, at 5:30 PM Addis Ababa time.