Call for Applications: CLARITY-Africa PhD Scholarship

Deadline: 30 April 2025

The Climate Change Resilient Equitable Healthy Cities in Africa (CLARITY-Africa) project is a consortium of partners coordinated by Imperial College London and it includes the University of Ghana (UG), the Africa Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Research & Innovation Centre (AIMS RIC), and other leading universities. It is implemented in collaboration with policy and societal partners in four African cities: Accra and Tamale in Ghana, and Kigali and Musanze in Rwanda.

The objective is to co-produce novel and transformative knowledge on how climate change affects environmental risk exposures and to determine vulnerable groups at risk from the effects of climate and environmental change. Examples of vulnerable groups and spaces will include outdoor workers, schools, and communities affected by heat or flooding as a result of urban expansion/densification.

CLARITY-Africa is seeking to recruit PhD students to work on the project and pursue doctoral studies as part of the project. The PhD student will either be based at the University of Ghana or at AIMS Research and Innovation Centre.

Please note that:

a) The PhD Programme at UG is 4 years and that of AIMS RIC is 3 years.

b) PhD students recruited into the CLARITY programme will have the opportunity to spend time in related or partner institutions as part of the learning process.

c) They will be supervised by faculty and researchers who are part of the CLARITY consortium

d) Applicants interested in joining the University of Ghana will be required to:

• attend one full year of coursework (first year),

• participate in experiential learning through attachments to relevant institutions in the second year,

• formally apply to the University of Ghana Graduate School to be admitted as PhD students

e) ALL applicants (both at UG and AIMS RIC) will be required to focus their research on either heat or flooding and drought in one of the identified African cities (Accra and Tamale in Ghana, and Kigali and

Musanze in Rwanda). The project will fund the tuition, research, stipend, travel, and other related expenses for the duration of the program.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants from any African country1 are welcome to apply.

• Applicants must possess a Master's degree in a discipline related to the CLARITY-Africa focus area, such as climate science, demography, economics, geography, environmental science, public health, environmental health, and mathematical and physical sciences.

• Applicants should demonstrate openness and willingness to conduct their research in areas aligned with the CLARITY-Africa research focus.

1 AIMS RIC will accept applications from all African Countries. UG will accept applications from Ghana Nationals ONLY.

• Familiarity with analytical and statistical methods is advantageous, and strong communication skills are needed.

• Applicants should possess research potential evidenced by academic performance and involvement in relevant academic activities.

• University of Ghana PhD Year 1 students are also eligible to apply.

Application Process

All applications must include the following information:

i. Statement of purpose in support of your application (including specific research interests and how the financial support will benefit your research career) (no more than 2,000 words)

ii. A two-page research proposal

iii. Complete academic CV, including any publications and research experience and achievements

iv. Copies of recent graduate transcript(s)

v. Copies of graduate certificates

vi. Names and contact details (email and phone) of two academic referees

Interested applicants should take note of the following details:

i. Applications to University of Ghana should be sent to clarity-africa@ug.edu.gh

ii. Applications to AIMS RIC should be done through this portal: https://applications.aimsric.org/home

iii. Application deadline is April 30, 2025.

iv. Pre-selected candidates will be notified and invited for interviews by May 30, 2025.

v. Scholarship awardees will receive notification by June 30, 2025.

vi. Successful candidates are expected to start in September 2025 (2025-2026 academic year).