By Anita John 
OSOGBO | Oct 13 – Osun State University, Osogbo, is hosting a major international research initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity for data-driven malaria control and health planning.
- Osun State University partners in £ project funded by the Wellcome Trust through the Ifakara Health Institute
- Initiative to strengthen malaria modelling in Nigeria, DRC, and Tanzania
- Postdoctoral research position announced under MoDD Africa programme
Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, is currently hosting the Modelling for Decisions in a Dynamic (MoDD) Africa project — a new research collaboration funded by the Wellcome Trust through the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania.
The initiative brings together African researchers and institutions to advance the use of mathematical and geospatial modelling in public health, beginning with malaria control across Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Tanzania.
According to the project team, MoDD Africa aims to build a network of experts in geospatial analysis, epidemiology, and health systems to generate model-based evidence for national health decision-making.
Project Goals
The project will:
- Explore links between environmental change, disease transmission, and health system responses.
- Improve the effectiveness and reach of malaria interventions.
- Develop early warning systems for malaria risk.
- Build long-term modelling capacity within African research institutions.
Postdoctoral Opportunity
As part of its activities, MoDD Africa has announced a one-year postdoctoral research position at the institution, with potential renewal based on performance and funding.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing innovative frameworks that link malaria and climate data, providing technical expertise in mathematical and statistical modelling, and collaborating with national malaria programmes.
They will also help strengthen local institutional capacity by transferring skills and training researchers in advanced modelling techniques.
Required qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD in a quantitative field such as geostatistics, biostatistics, mathematical modelling, or climate science, with proven experience in infectious disease modelling.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in R, Python, or Stata, as well as experience in working with national health programmes and research collaborations. Strong communication, teamwork, and project management skills are essential.
Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience in malaria or vector-borne disease research, publication records in peer-reviewed journals, and familiarity with climate modelling and capacity-building initiatives in African contexts.
Application details
Interested applicants should submit a single document containing an application letter, curriculum vitae, and scanned credentials to: uniosunmodd@gmail.com
and copy dapoadeogun@hotmail.com and monsuru.adeleke@uniosun.edu.ng
Applications close on 30 October 2025, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Duty Station: Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
For further enquiries, contact:
Dr O.A. Adeogun (Country Lead) – dapoadeogun@hotmail.com
Prof. M.A. Adeleke (Project Manager) – monsuru.adeleke@uniosun.edu.ng
What is the MoDD Africa Project?
The Modelling for Decisions in a Dynamic (MoDD) Africa project is a Wellcome Trust–funded initiative to support evidence-based health policy across Africa. It focuses on building homegrown capacity to use data and modelling to predict disease trends, guide interventions, and inform governments’ public health strategies.
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