Unravelling the Zoonotic Risk Landscape of Abortion and Stillbirths in Uganda (PhD Studentship)

This PhD studentship at the University of Edinburgh offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the zoonotic risk landscape of abortion and stillbirths in Uganda. The project is based within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and leverages a well-established Ugandan open population cohort, the Iganga–Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, which has tracked over 100,000 individuals for 20 years. More than 3,000 abortion and stillbirth events have been recorded in the past five years, highlighting the urgent need for research in this area. The successful candidate will retrospectively characterize patterns and risk factors associated with abortion and stillbirth using a large longitudinal database containing demographic, socio-economic, livestock ownership, and climatic variables. The project includes a cross-sectional seroprevalence analysis of archived sera targeting key zoonotic pathogens such as Brucella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Chlamydia spp., and Coxiella burnetii. Additionally, a prospective metagenomic investigation of new abortion and stillbirth events will be conducted to identify and confirm microbial causes. This multidisciplinary research is part of the MIGOHILL partnership between the Universities of Edinburgh and Makerere, led by Dr Adrian Muwonge, and benefits from the MOSAIC network, which positions the cohort as a miniature One Health system. The supervisory team includes experts from the Roslin Institute, the Usher Institute, and Makerere University, providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and field exposure. The student will gain skills in quantitative molecular epidemiological analysis, bioinformatics, and serology, enabling a cross-sectional, prospective, and retrospective approach to the research questions. Funding is available for UK and international students, including a monthly stipend matched to UKRI minimum level for 42 months and a research budget for research costs, training, and conference attendance. The project aims to generate critical evidence to support public health decision-making, strengthen community awareness, and inform prevention strategies, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5. Applicants should have a relevant undergraduate or master's degree in medical science, biology, veterinary science, public health, or a related field, and demonstrate enthusiasm and motivation for research at the human–animal interface. Experience in bioinformatics, quantitative analysis, or molecular epidemiology is desirable. The application deadline is February 13, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the project website or contact the application email provided.