Aga Khan University Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan and Nairobi, Kenya are private, not-for-profit institutions providing high quality health care. The Main Hospitals serve as the principal sites for clinical training for the University's Medical Colleges and Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Pakistan and East Africa. Our Vision of Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi is to be the premier, tertiary, teaching and referral health care facility in sub-Saharan Africa. ​For over fifty years, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH) has been taking care of families in East Africa. As a private, not-for-profit hospital, we strive to provide access to quality healthcare to all who need it. At AKUH, patients are our first priority. Our team of medical professionals, faculty and staff are here to provide you and your loved ones with the highest standards of healthcare. We are committed to working together to ensure that you and your family receive outstanding medical services, first-rate facilities and compassionate care. The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi has set the standard for comprehensive healthcare and modern medical education in East Africa. Our dedicated staff, advanced facilities and state-of-the-art technologies have earned the hospital great reputation as a leading medical institution and teaching hospital in the region, and beyond. Patients benefit from our unique team-based approach to car​e, which enables you to benefit from the diverse expertise of our entire team of medical professionals. As the teaching hospital for Aga Khan University’s Medical College and School of Nursing and Midwifery, we practice an evidence-based approach to medicine, driven by the cutting-edge research conducted by our experienced faculty members. Our approach to care is guided by our core principles of Quality, Access, Impact and Relevance.​Role Summary The Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK) is a flagship population-based cohort platform generating high-quality evidence on ageing, cognitive health, and cardiometabolic transitions in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. LOSHAK integrates large-scale household surveys, cognitive assessments, biospecimen collection, and longitudinal follow-up, creating a unique infrastructure for biomarker-driven research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The PhD Studentship is for candidates already enrolled in a PhD Programme in Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Epidemiology, or a closely related discipline, who are at or near completion of coursework and ready to enter the research phase of their doctorate. This studentship is ideal for a highly motivated early-career researcher seeking to undertake a doctoral project focused on biomarkers of AD/ADRD and CVD in ageing populations in LMICs, using LOSHAK biospecimens and data as the primary research platform. The PhD Student will design and implement an independent doctoral research project embedded within LOSHAK, contributing to: Establishment and validation of biomarker pipelines for ageing research in LMICs. Measurement and analysis of AD/ADRD-related biomarkers (e.g., neurodegeneration, inflammation, amyloid/tau proxies). Characterization of cardiovascular and metabolic biomarkers relevant to later-life disease. Integration of laboratory, cognitive, and epidemiological data. Development of scalable, context-appropriate biomarker strategies for African populations. The role combines advanced laboratory science with population-based epidemiology and longitudinal analysis. Key Responsibilities Doctoral research design Develop a biomarker-focused PhD protocol aligned with LOSHAK priorities; define analyte panels and analytical strategy; secure ethics and regulatory approvals. Laboratory & biospecimen workflows Design and implement biospecimen handling, storage, and assay pipelines for AD/ADRDs and CVD biomarkers; contribute to SOPs development and Quality Assurance (QA) Data integration & analysis Link biomarker data with cognitive, clinical, and longitudinal survey data; apply appropriate statistical and epidemiological methods. Scholarly outputs Produce thesis chapters; prepare manuscripts; disseminate findings to scientific and clinical audiences. Platform & team engagement Contribute to LOSHAK laboratory and biobank development; engage with multidisciplinary teams (epidemiology, neurology, cardiology, data science) Professional development Build expertise in biomarker science, neurocardiovascular ageing, and longitudinal analysis; complete relevant training Required Qualifications Registered in a PhD Programme in Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Epidemiology, or related field. Completed or nearing completion of PhD coursework and ready for the research phase. Strong grounding in laboratory methods and quantitative analysis (STATA, R, Python). Demonstrated interest in ageing, dementia, cardiovascular disease, or biomarker science. Ability to work independently and manage a multi-year research project. Excellent academic writing and communication skills. Relevant Experience Experience with biomarker assays (e.g., immunoassays, proteomics, metabolomics). Familiarity with biobanking or biospecimen management. Exposure to population-based or clinical research. Interest in translational and policy-relevant ageing research in LMICs.