SHE-DATA SCIENCE (SHEDS)
Empowering Uganda’s Women in Health Data Science: Identifying Barriers, Bridging Knowledge and Innovation for Tangible Impact.
Call open: August 19th, 2025
Application deadline: September 3rd, 2025
Proposed start: October 1st, 2025
The She Data Science (SHEDS) project is pleased to invite suitable applications from females for ONE fully funded MSc fellowship for the year 2025. SHEDS is a collaborative initiative between the African center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda and the Institute of Global Health Sciences (IGHS) at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), USA.
About the SHEDS program
The increasing adoption of technologies like mobile phones, high throughput genomic sequencing, IoT and electronic health records is accelerating the buildup of an avalanche of data: clinical, genomic, epidemiological, climate-related and social/behavioral data. These growing volumes and complexity of data, render the rapidly expanding field of “Big Data†analysis and interpretation essential to improving health and economic outcomes.
Data Science (DS), which encapsulates Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a pathway to the leveraging and enhancement of these data into meaningful and actionable information. However, the highly technical nature of DS as well its powerful potential, simultaneously pause the risk of ‘leaving behind’ sections of the population that have already been disadvantaged. In Uganda in particular, the high gender disparity within STEM fields means that women are more likely to be left behind, resulting in the unintended consequence of DS further widening the gender gap in STEM.
This program is thus going to target the training and advancement of Ugandan women in data science and (or) bioinformatics. It achieves this goal through three critical areas: 1) Skilling women in data science / bioinformatics methods and techniques, 2) identify barriers to women in STEM, Data Science and bioinformatics 3) Providing a bridge to help trainees translate their data science skills into biomedical and public health practice.
Benefits of the program
- There is 1 fully funded MSc fellowship that will provide tuition and a stipend for a 2-year full-time MSc degree.
- Research clearance fees for MSc student project.
- World class health data science mentorship from some of the best mentors in the field.
Submission
Submit the following documents as a single pdf file to the IDI application portal
- CLEAR copies of certified relevant academic documents
- A one page concept in any of the following areas:
a) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome
b) Cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science
c) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives
d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.
3. Two reference letters from academic referees
4. Statement of motivation (max 1000 words)
5. An updated CV (max 4 pages)
NB:
- This is a full-time MSc scholarship. It is expected that the intending applicant is not involved in any other form of employment.
- Only successful candidates will be notified.
- This opportunity is targeted towards females.
Key Responsibilities
- Fully develop a research proposal that employs data science, mathematical and (or) bioinformatics to any of the following areas: a) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives; b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome; c) cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science; and d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.
- Successfully defend your research proposal
- Successfully obtain ethics approval from Institutional Review Board (IRB) and National approval from Uganda National Council for Science & Technology (UNCST).
- Present your work at scientific workshops, conferences and research forum
- Succesfully defend your Masters thesis
- Write at least 1 peer reviewed scientific publications in high impact journals.
- Participate in ACE research groups relevant to your area of study.
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry
- Bachelor's in Computer Science
- Bachelor's of Science in Biomedical Sciences
- Bachelor's of Biotechnology
Person Specification
- Minimum qualifications: Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree in any of following STEM fields: Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry, Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor's of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor's of Biotechnology or any other related field from a recognized university with a minimum of 2nd Class upper.
- Have obtained an admission letter for an MSc in Bioinformatics and Data science at Makerere University.
- Demonstrated interest in:
a) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the design of antimicrobial drug combination therapies, identifying One Health AMR transmission pathways, and utilizing data science methodologies to guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives
b) Human Genomics including the role of repeats in the human genome
c) cancer including cancer genomics and genomics data science
d) Natural Language Processing (NLP) and (or) generative AI solutions for health problems.
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