KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Graduate Internships scheme (16 Positions)

Research internships are a mechanism for giving high calibre young university graduates a structured experience of research at an early stage in their career. They provide an opportunity to gain experience by assisting senior scientific staff and participating in on-going research activities. This gives interns a chance to see whether they wish to embark on a research career. The internships are strictly limited to 6 months duration and are non-renewable. A monthly stipend is provided. Generally, a first or upper second Bachelors degree within the last year from an East African University and in addition a minimum average score of B+ or equivalent at secondary school exit exams is required. Depending on the projects available, the degrees can be in a biomedical science (e.g. zoology, biochemistry) or a health science (pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, nursing) or mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, demography, geoscience, social science, economics or anthropology.

Each intern is allocated to a research mentor, selected on the basis of having submitted a plan for a structured training experience in a particular area. Towards the end of their 6-months training interns are required to present their findings to an audience invited from the whole Programme. They are also given a formal assessment by their mentors, with a final report agreed by discussion between intern and mentor.

Recruitment procedure

We have established a rigorous recruitment process, and appoint roughly 25 interns per year (based in both Kilifi and Nairobi). Recruitment is in two stages: First, applications are invited from anyone who completed their undergraduate training in the previous two years. 100-150 applicants are selected to attend a selection day in Nairobi. The selection day involves talks about our research programme followed by a written exam. Subsequently, the top scoring candidates are invited for a face-to-face interview at either our Nairobi or Kilifi site depending in the internship subject area. Please note: only successfull candidates will be contacted.

Application procedure

All application should be done online. Applicants will be required to register and after that login using the email address and password they used for registration in order to access the application form.  If you need further information please email us at [email protected]. Emails directed to other addresses may be missed and go unanswered.

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