The GSK Africa Open Lab Postgraduate Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded, 12-month research and training opportunity hosted at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at LSHTM within the Statistics and Computational Bioinformatics department. The fellowship is designed to strengthen research capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa by equipping early-career scientists with advanced skills in data-driven biomedical and public health research.
About the GSK Africa Open Lab Postgraduate Fellowship
The fellowship places selected candidates into active research programmes where they gain hands-on experience in clinical and population health research. Fellows work alongside experienced biostatisticians, epidemiologists, and data scientists while contributing to real research projects that address pressing health challenges in the region.
Funding Size
Fellowship support includes:
• Annual stipend for living expenses
• Accommodation support
• Return international airfare
• Full access to research facilities, mentorship, and training resources
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
• Be a national and resident of a Sub-Saharan African country
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) in Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field
• Hold a Master’s degree (GPA ≥ 3.2 or equivalent) in Biostatistics, Health Data Science, or a related discipline
• Have at least one year of relevant research or professional experience
• Demonstrate proficiency in English
• Be able to code in R, Stata, or SAS, or show willingness to improve these skills
• Applicants with a PhD are also encouraged to apply
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Geographic eligibility
Only nationals and residents of Sub-Saharan African countries are eligible to apply.
Sector or thematic focus
Fellows gain practical experience across:
• Clinical trials and study design
• Epidemiology and public health research
• Modelling and machine learning applications in health data
• Bioinformatics and computational analysis
• Data management, statistical analysis, and scientific writing
Application Process
Applicants must submit their complete application by email before the stated deadline. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for further assessment or interviews as part of the selection process.
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Required Materials
All documents must be submitted in PDF format:
• CV
• Personal statement
• Two references
• Academic transcripts
Key Dates
Application Deadline: 18 April 2026 (23:00 GMT)
Start Date: Mid-April 2026
Duration: 12 months
Selection Notes
Selection is competitive and based on academic performance, relevant research experience, analytical and coding skills, and the applicant’s potential to contribute to biomedical and public health research capacity in Africa. Fellows receive mentorship and ongoing professional development throughout the program.