Call for PhD Candidates: FairChoices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Times of Change (2026–2030)

About this role

Call for PhD Candidates: FairChoices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Times of Change (2026–2030) Project Background and Institutional Ownership The FairChoices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Times of Change (2026–2030) project is a collaborative initiative uniting the Addis Center for Ethics and Priority Setting (ACEPS) at Addis Ababa University, the Bergen Center for Ethics and Priority Setting (BCEPS) at the University of Bergen, and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) , with generous funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) . The project aims to strengthen national capacity and institutionalize fair, transparent, and evidence-informed priority-setting systems within Ethiopia’s health sector. To ensure deep national ownership and direct policy translation, the Ministry of Health (MoH) is embedded at the core of project governance, leadership, priority agenda-setting, and candidate selection. Research questions and PhD dissertations will directly address real-world policy dilemmas faced by the MoH, feeding directly into the refinement and implementation of the Essential Health Service Package (EHSP), health financing reforms, and national UHC roadmaps. PhD Positions Overview ACEPS, in close collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, invites applications from highly qualified candidates for two (2) PhD positions under this collaborative project for the period 2026–2030. Project Title: FairChoices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Times of Change (2026–2030): Improving the Legitimacy, Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Fairness of Health Priority Setting in Ethiopia. Academic Enrolment: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen (UiB), Norway. Workstation & Fellowship Structure: Candidates will spend approximately five-sixths ( 5/6 ) of the study period in Ethiopia (primarily based at ACEPS, Addis Ababa University) and one-sixth ( 1/6 ) in Norway at the University of Bergen. A full PhD stipend is provided for the entire duration of the program (3 years), covering living and travel expenses across Ethiopia and Norway. 3. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must meet all of the following criteria: Institutional Affiliation: Be a permanent or core employee of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH), regional health bureaus, or associated public health institutions (e.g., Ethiopian Public Health Institute). Commitment to Service & Retention: Be fully willing to sign a formal legal and institutional service commitment agreement with the MoH (detailed in Section 4 below). Academic Background: Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Health Economics, Health Policy, Public Health, Quantitative Economics, or related fields with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (or a minimum GPA of 3.0 for MD holders). Research Record & Scholarly Output: Demonstrated research experience evidenced by authorship (as author or co-author) in peer-reviewed scientific journals, OR high-quality technical reports, working papers, or policy briefs in health economics, priority setting, health systems research, or modeling. Language & Literacy: Demonstrate excellent written and spoken English communication skills and strong technical/computer literacy. Career Dedication: Show strong motivation and commitment to a long-term career in health economics, healthcare priority setting, and public health leadership. Time Commitment: Be able to devote 100% of their time to the PhD program and project activities. Holding additional concurrent employment, external project appointments, or conflicting institutional affiliations during the PhD period is strictly prohibited. 4.Comprehensive Retention and Service Obligation Guideline To guarantee that the capacity built through this NORAD-supported initiative directly benefits the Ethiopian health system and prevents brain drain, all selected PhD candidates must adhere to a strict Retention and Post-Training Service Guideline: A. Pre-Enrollment Service Agreement Prior to official admission and fellowship activation, candidates, alongside the Ministry of Health and Addis Ababa University, will sign a tripartite Service and Retention Agreement. This legally binding agreement outlines mutual responsibilities regarding completion timelines, performance milestones, and mandatory post-study service. B. Mandatory Post-PhD Service Obligation Upon successful completion and defense of the PhD degree, the candidate is mandatorily obligated to serve within the Ethiopian Ministry of Health or an assigned strategic public health institution (such as EPHI or EHIS) for a minimum continuous period of four (4) years . This service requirement ensures that the advanced technical competencies acquired in economic evaluation, priority setting, and modeling are directly applied to national health planning, resource allocation, and policy formulation. C. Re-Integration and Career Pathway Support Strategic Placement: Upon graduation, the MoH, in collaboration with ACEPS, will guarantee the placement of the PhD graduate within a high-impact technical unit (e.g., Health Economics and Financing Directorate, or Policy and Planning Directorate). Leadership & Advisory Integration: Graduates will be appointed as core technical advisors to national decision-making bodies, technical working groups, and advisory committees. Continued Professional Mentorship: ACEPS and the University of Bergen will provide post-graduation mentoring, joint research opportunities, and continuous professional development to retain talent and foster academic leadership. D. Compliance, Monitoring, and Enforcement Progress Tracking: Regular annual reviews of academic progress will be conducted jointly by ACEPS, UiB, and the MoH. Breach of Agreement: In the event of unjustified withdrawal, failure to complete the degree within the stipulated timeframe due to negligence, or breach of the post-graduation service obligation before the completion of the 4-year term, the candidate will be subject to administrative remedies and financial indemnification as stipulated in national public service training guidelines. Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement ACEPS, Addis Ababa University, the University of Bergen, and the Ethiopian Ministry of Health are firmly committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in research and higher education. Applications from qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Selection is based strictly on merit, professional qualifications, analytical capabilities, proposed research relevance, and potential contribution to national health development.