University of Dar es Salaam
Vacancy: PhD Scholarship
Closing date: 27th March 2024
The position
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology (University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) and the Institute of Health and Society (University of Oslo, Norway) are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work on the social science research project “Bits, bytes and bodies: Local innovation and digital healthcare in Tanzania” funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The project is jointly carried out by the two Universities and the PhD student will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of social science research experts.
The PhD research will focus on the use of digital and data-orientated technologies, including mobile phones and smartphones, in health facilities and the community in Tanzania.
Background
The WHO says harnessing the power of digital technologies is essential to achieve universal health coverage. Recently, there have been large investments in the development of digital technology to improve healthcare in low- and lower middle-income countries. However, there are concerns that high costs, weak regulations and design that is poorly suited to local social and cultural contexts challenge the potential of the digital revolution to improve health equity. These concerns have led to global initiatives to foster ‘local innovation’ to meet the needs of end-users and health systems rather than those of outside foreign experts or private investors. The research project seeks to understand the meaning and practice of ‘local innovation’ in the design, governance and use of digital health technologies, focusing on Tanzania. More information can be found at: www.sum.uio.no/english/research/projects/bits-bytes-and-bodies.
Main Responsibilities
The student will be hosted by the University of Dar es Salaam and be registered for their PhD at the University of Oslo. In order to complete the PhD, she or he will need to complete all the requirements of the University of Oslo, including completing the necessary educational courses as well as spending six fully-funded months in Norway.
The student is expected to:
- Submit a scientific article-based doctoral thesis at the University of Oslo within 3 years
- Carry out ethnographic data-collection and qualitative analysis
- Contribute to project reports and participate in other administrative activities in the project
- Organize and participate in regular meetings with the supervisory team (face to face and via conference call) and with internal staff and core partners.
- Coordinate the PhD project and closely work with the PIs of the project.
- Participate in activities in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology (University of Dar es Salaam). This will include assisting lectures, and chairing, organizing and participating in seminars and other forums.
- Submit to and present research findings at national and international conferences, and apply for scholarships to attend conferences.
- Travel to Norway and spend six months in Oslo.
Required qualifications and personal qualities
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline within the social sciences
- Excellent command of both written and spoken English and Kiswahili
- Documented background in qualitative methodologies including data collection methods, such as participant-observation and in-depth interviewing, and analysis
- Proven independent research experience in East Africa
- Ability to work proactively and independently with a flexible work attitude.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect to diverse groups of people
Desired qualifications
- Knowledge relating to social anthropology, sociology, science and technology studies, or related disciplines
- A strong interest in engaging with social science or humanities-based theory relating to digital technologies
- Evidence of (co-)authorship of peer-reviewed publication(s)
- Excellent computer software skills - Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint), and experience with qualitative data analysis software (for example, N-VIVO).
What we offer
- PhD scholarship including tuition fee and monthly stipend
- Living allowance for the six months the candidate is required to be in Oslo, Norway
- Supervision from experienced social anthropologists in Tanzania and Norway
- Access to funds for conferences, books and computer equipment
Submission process
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- Cover letter showing in detail your motivation for this position and how you fulfil the qualifications
- CV
- Evidence of writing skills. This can include a publication, an MA thesis written by the candidate, or another writing sample.
The application should be submitted to Dr. Vendelin Tarmo Simon (vendelin.simon@yahoo.com) and Dr. Tom Neumark (thomas.neumark@sum.uio.no). You are also welcome to direct further enquiries to either.
Candidates who are invited to the next stage of the process will be informed of further selection processes including a research proposal, writing exercises and interviews.
Applicants whose education is from a country other than Norway must enclose a review from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) showing that the required education (master’s degree) corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education. The process may take time, so we recommend applying for this review when you submit the PhD application. If you have not received an answer before the deadline, please enclose documentation showing that HK-dir has received your application.