Masters Student

AHRI is always looking for talented and motivated staff to join our multidisciplinary team. We offer a highly diverse, professional and supportive environment with opportunities for development and growth.

Description:

Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is recruiting a highly motivated master’s candidate to join an interdisciplinary research team focused on advancing HIV prevention and care strategies through innovative mathematical modelling approaches. This two-year master’s project provides an opportunity to analyse pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP and antiretroviral therapy ART adherence using Truvada concentration and HIV viral load measurements on dry blood spot (DBS) samples. The student will apply statistical and mathematical modelling techniques to assess adherence patterns, explore factors influencing adherence, and evaluate the impact of adherence levels on HIV prevention and treatment outcomes in the AHRI health and demographic surveillance system area.

Overview of Duties:

Ensuring consistent adherence to PrEP and ART is critical for effective HIV prevention and treatment. However, self-reported adherence is often unreliable, highlighting the need for biological adherence measurements. Truvada concentration on DBS samples provides an objective measure of PrEP adherence, while HIV viral load on DBS indicates ART adherence and treatment effectiveness. This MSc project will analyse DBS-based adherence data from AHRI’s implementation studies to assess adherence trends, influencing factors, and the relationship between biological and self-reported adherence. By applying statistical and mathematical modelling, the study will quantify adherence patterns and evaluate their impact on HIV prevention and treatment outcomes. Findings will provide evidence-based insights to optimize HIV intervention programmes and support the implementation of status-neutral HIV care integrated with sexual and reproductive health services.

Key research and responsibilities

The student will use Truvada concentration measurements on DBS for PrEP adherence and HIV viral load for ART adherence to assess adherence patterns among adolescents and young adults in the AHRI surveillance area. The student will apply statistical and mathematical modelling to:

• Quantify adherence levels and identify factors influencing adherence to PrEP and ART.
• Assess the correlation between self-reported adherence and biological measurements from DBS.
• Examine population-level trends in adherence over time, stratified by demographics and intervention type.
• Use predictive modelling to estimate the impact of varying adherence levels on HIV transmission.

Minimum Qualification

• Honours degree in any of the following areas: mathematics, statistics, epidemiology, operations research, computer science, engineering, or a closely related quantitative discipline.

Minimum Experience

• Basic programming skills (e.g., Python, R) and a willingness to learn new analytical methods.
• Demonstrated interest in public health, infectious diseases, or data-driven policy research.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work under guided supervision, independently and in a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and team orientated.

How to apply:

Please complete an application form by clicking on the apply button above. You are expected to attach a cover letter, 1–2-page CV, and academic records.

The salary for this position depends on previous experience and follows AHRI’s official scheme and NRF grades and will be exempt from tax deductions due to the tax-exempt status for postdoctoral fellows.

If you have enquiries about the position, please email education@ahri.org with the subject line: ‘MSc - Mathematical Modelling Edinah Mudimu group”.

Worker Type:

Contingent Worker

Skills:

The application closing date:

8 May 2025

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.

AHRI is a values-driven organisation. As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership.

Our values
The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.
 
 
Employment equity
AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable. AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.