Columbia University-Southern Africa Fogarty AIDS & TB International Training and Research Programme - Call for applications for Traineeships in 2007

The Columbia University-Southern Africa AIDS & TB International Training and Research Programme is funded by the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, USA. This programme, now in its thirteenth year of existence, offers a unique, prestigious and challenging training opportunity to promising researchers early in their careers, in the fields of basic science, epidemiology, social science and bioethics related to HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. Only citizens of South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland are eligible.

Category 1: Post-doctoral Traineeship in Epidemiology or Biostatistics at Columbia University, New York, USA. This category of traineeship is tenable for one year in the Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, to pursue a Master of Science or PhD in Epidemiology or Biostatistics. Applicants must: have a professional medical, dental or veterinary degree or a PhD, MD or other equivalent doctoral degree; have demonstrable research experience in HIV/AIDS or TB with at least one peer-reviewed publication; make a commitment to return to southern Africa for a period at least equal to the training period in the USA; and meet the Columbia University Joseph Mailman School of Public Health entrance requirements, including the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). This traineeship, at one of the top 10 listed universities in the world, covers return airfare from southern Africa to New York, a generous stipend, tuition fees, prescribed text books, and health insurance. A pro-forma application form must be submitted. Further information on the programme at Columbia University is available on the website: http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu

Category 2:Short-Term HIV and/or TB basic science skills training in HIV and TB Laboratories in the USA. This traineeship is tenable for 3-6 months. It is intended for Masters level or doctoral students who want to acquire a specific laboratory skill or technique at a US laboratory. The applicant is responsible for identifying the US institution at which he/she would like to train. Applicants must have: at least a Masters degree; identified the laboratory skill/technique that needs to be acquired; and identified the laboratory in the USA at which he/she would like to train. Applications must be submitted on a pro-forma application form, and should be accompanied by letter of support from the proposed mentor at the US institution at which training is sought. This traineeship covers return airfare from southern Africa to the USA, and a generous monthly stipend for the duration of the traineeship.

Category 3:Pre- and Post-doctoral Traineeship at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This category of traineeship is for doctoral and post-doctoral studies in HIV/AIDS and TB. This traineeship is tenable for one year in disciplines and research centres at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to pursue and enhance scientific career development under the mentorship and guidance of an established HIV/AIDS and/or TB researcher. Applicants must have: at least a Masters degree in a scientifically related field; and identified a department/centre and mentor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the proposed mentor to confirm willingness to provide mentorship in the relevant discipline, school, department or research centre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This traineeship provides a generous and competitive monthly stipend for the duration of the traineeship.

Applications for all 3 categories must be submitted on a pro-forma application form that is available on request from: [email protected]. Completed applications should be submitted by mail to: Ms. J Hadingham, The Administrator, Columbia University-Southern African Fogarty AIDS & TB International Training and Research Programme, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research, Second Floor, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Private Bag X7, Congella 4013, Durban, South Africa or faxed to: 27-31-2604566 or E-mailed to: [email protected].

The closing date for receipt of applications is 7 September 2006