Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access.

The Department of Population Health (DPH) at AKU is implementing the Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK)—a large, multi-site, population-based cohort study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging (NIA). LOSHAK forms part of a global network of ageing studies and is designed to generate high-quality longitudinal evidence to inform policy and practice in Kenya and internationally.

Role Summary

The Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK) is a flagship population-based cohort platform designed to generate high-quality evidence on ageing, cognitive health, and life-course transitions in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. LOSHAK integrates large-scale household surveys, cognitive assessments, biomarker data, and contextual social and environmental information, and is embedded within regional and global networks on ageing and health.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow who has completed a PhD in Epidemiology, Population Health, Public Health, Demography, Biostatistics, or a closely related field is ideal for an early-career scientist seeking advanced training and leadership in survey research, ageing, and cognitive epidemiology in LMICs, while contributing substantively to a world-class longitudinal cohort platform.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will lead, and co-lead high-impact research embedded within LOSHAK, contributing to:

• Design and implementation of large-scale ageing and cognition survey components.
• Advanced epidemiological analysis of cognitive ageing and later-life health.
• Methodological innovation in longitudinal and survey-based research in LMICs.
• High-quality scientific outputs and grant development.
• Supervision and mentorship of PhD students and junior researchers.
• Development of funding proposals.
• Design nested studies within the cohort.

The role bridges independent scholarship with platform leadership, positioning the Fellow for a competitive academic or research career.

Key Responsibilities

Research leadership & design

Co-lead development of LOSHAK sub-studies in ageing and cognition; refine research questions and analytical frameworks; support ethics and regulatory submissions.

Survey & field systems

Lead design, piloting, and optimization of ageing and cognitive survey modules; support field training and QA

Data analysis & methods

Conduct advanced analyses of longitudinal and survey data; develop reproducible analytical pipelines; contribute to harmonization with global cohorts.

Scholarly outputs

Lead and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts; present findings at scientific fora; contribute to policy briefs.

Grant development & platform growth

Contribute to proposal development and donor engagement; support expansion of LOSHAK research portfolio.

Mentorship & team engagement

Supervise PhD and MSc students; mentor research staff; engage multidisciplinary teams.

Professional development

Build an independent research profile in ageing and cognitive epidemiology; pursue advanced training.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Epidemiology, Population Health, Public Health, Demography, Biostatistics, or related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and epidemiological methods.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong interest in ageing, cognition, or life-course health.
• Ability to lead components of complex, multi-site research.
• Excellent academic writing and communication skills.

Relevant Experience

• Experience with large-scale population surveys or longitudinal cohorts.
• Familiarity with LMIC research environments.
• Experience in cognitive assessment or mental health research.
• Exposure to grant writing and collaborative research networks.

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Demonstrates high scientific integrity and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Culturally sensitive and adaptable in diverse environments.
• Committed to mentoring and continuous professional development.

• Co-lead development of LOSHAK sub-studies in ageing and cognition; refine research questions and analytical frameworks; support ethics and regulatory submissions.
• Lead design, piloting, and optimization of ageing and cognitive survey modules; support field training and QA
• Conduct advanced analyses of longitudinal and survey data; develop reproducible analytical pipelines; contribute to harmonization with global cohorts.
• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts; present findings at scientific fora; contribute to policy briefs.
• Contribute to proposal development and donor engagement; support expansion of LOSHAK research portfolio.
• Supervise PhD and MSc students; mentor research staff; engage multidisciplinary teams.
• Build an independent research profile in ageing and cognitive epidemiology; pursue advanced training.

• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and epidemiological methods.
• Ability to lead components of complex, multi-site research.
• Excellent academic writing and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Culturally sensitive and adaptable in diverse environments.
• Committed to mentoring and continuous professional development.

• PhD in Epidemiology, Population Health, Public Health, Demography, Biostatistics, or related field.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong interest in ageing, cognition, or life-course health.
• Experience with large-scale population surveys or longitudinal cohorts.
• Familiarity with LMIC research environments.
• Experience in cognitive assessment or mental health research.
• Exposure to grant writing and collaborative research networks.