As associated members of the German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded Research Training Group (RTG) 3096 “One Health Approach to Soil-Transmitted Helminths,” successful applicants will work on scientific projects in an interdisciplinary manner within a structured program. The doctoral program RTG 3096 addresses the three “One Health” aspects: 1) human roundworm infections (close cooperation and fieldwork in Kenya/Africa), 2) roundworm infections in farm animals (chickens and pigs in Germany), and 3) environmental factors (sociological and economic field studies in Kenya and Germany). The RTG will thus incorporate human, animal, and environmental aspects into the research and training of candidates in order to train “One Health” infectious disease specialists. After four years of training in the structured doctoral program and the acquisition of at least 30 CP, candidates have the opportunity to obtain a certificate for the successful completion of a graduate school.

Here you find more information about the offered postions and the scientific content of the projects:

Project 1

PI: Dr. Doris Njomo/Prof. Susanne Hartmann

Lab adress: ESACIPAC (Nairobi)

Title: Social analyses of household aspects of Ascaris-infected school children (RTG 3096-Assoc1)

Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), such as WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) plays an important role in controlling helminth infections. This project aims to increase awareness of the impact of Ascaris infections on school-going children and their families. The assessment will focus on the risks associated with behavioral traits, domestic chores and soil contact.

Project 2

PI: Prof. Francis Ndungu

Lab adress: KEMRI-Wellcome Trust (Kilifi)

Title: The impact of Ascaris-induced immunoregulation on immune responses to malaria coinfection (RTG 3096-Assoc2)

The most common coinfection in schoolchildren infected with Ascaris lumbricoides is malaria. Helminths have a strong immunomodulatory effect on the host's immune response, so the aim of the project is to decipher the humoral and cellular changes induced by Ascaris infection that affect the ability to mount an efficient anti-malaria immune response