​​Vacancies​​

Keyword

Location


Search  
View all  

Research Fellow in Planetary Health

Entity

Aga Khan University

Location

Arusha, Tanzania

Introduction

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international University, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents (www.aku.edu). An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research relevant to the countries, and operates 7 hospitals and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has close to 4,000 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access.

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is committed to academic excellence, research and improving quality of life. Its Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (AKU-ACER) brings together researchers, communities and partners to develop practical responses to climate and environmental challenges. The Centre’s ecologically significant site in Arusha serves as a living laboratory for research, learning and outreach.

AKU-ACER seeks a Research Fellow in Planetary Health to investigate how climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and other environmental changes affect human health and well-being. The successful candidate will help design and deliver research that brings together environmental, health and social evidence, with a focus on findings that communities and decision-makers can use.

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement transdisciplinary research on the connections between climate, ecosystems and human health, including climate-related health risks and vulnerabilities.
  • Develop study protocols and data collection tools; coordinate fieldwork and maintain high standards of research ethics and data quality.
  • Analyse quantitative and spatial data using appropriate statistical, modelling and GIS methods, and integrate findings from other relevant disciplines.
  • Manage assigned research projects, including workplans, partner coordination, reporting and delivery of agreed outputs.
  • Work with communities, researchers, public institutions and other partners to shape research questions and interpret findings.
  • Prepare peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, reports and other accessible research outputs.
  • Present findings at scientific and policy forums and contribute to stakeholder engagement, training and the development of new research proposals.

Requirements

  • PhD in epidemiology, public health, environmental science, ecology, biostatistics, geography or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated track record of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental change and human health.
  • Strong skills in quantitative analysis and capabilities to do spatial analysis, GIS, environmental or climate modelling, population modelling, or spatial statistics.
  • Experience designing and conducting field research, managing data and producing publishable research outputs.
  • Ability to work across disciplines and communicate findings clearly to scientific, policy and community audiences.
  • Familiarity with planetary health frameworks or climate and health vulnerability assessments.
  • Interest in applying research to public health, environmental management and sustainable development in Tanzania and the wider East African region.
  • Experience working with community partners or on multi-institutional research projects would be an advantage.

To Apply

​If you meet the requirements of this position, please send your application package, which should include an application letter and an updated CV, to hr.tanzania@aku.edu. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further information, please visit http://www.aku.edu.

Applications should be submitted latest by October 13, 2026