The HEALENAE Doctoral Network, funded by the EU HORIZON-MSCA programme, is offering 15 fully funded PhD positions in anthropology with a focus on health and environmental challenges across Africa and Europe. This unique network brings together leading universities including KU Leuven, Makerere University, University of Nairobi, Aarhus University, University of Oslo, University of Cape Town, and University of Edinburgh. The program is designed for early-career researchers interested in interdisciplinary, impactful research at the intersection of medical and environmental anthropology.

PhD candidates will engage in cutting-edge research topics such as youth mental health and gambling in environmental crises, toxic urban landscapes, climate migration and elderly care, zoonotic diseases, gendered cancer epidemics, and more. Each project is supervised by leading academics from partner institutions, with dual or joint doctoral degrees and opportunities for cross-continental collaboration. Students will spend at least one semester at a partner university and may participate in fieldwork, often in Africa or Europe, for up to 12 months.

Eligibility requires a recognized Master’s degree in anthropology or a related social sciences/humanities discipline, and compliance with MSCA mobility rules. Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree. The program offers generous funding for three years, covering salary, research activities, travel, conferences, and equipment. The application deadline for most positions is March 1, 2026, but candidates should check individual university links for specific details and procedures.

To apply, candidates should review the project descriptions and eligibility criteria at the HEALENAE website and submit applications directly to the recruiting universities. This is an exceptional opportunity for those interested in medical anthropology, environmental anthropology, health, environment, climate change, migration, biodiversity, and related fields.