Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Mycobacteriology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mycobacteriology is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Medical Microbiology in collaboration with KEMRI. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on mycobacteria, with particular focus on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, and non-tuberculous mycobacteria, contributing to TB control and diagnostic innovation in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced bacteriology, molecular biology of mycobacteria, TB drug resistance, diagnostic mycobacteriology, immunology of TB, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to mycobacteriology.

Kenya is among the 30 high TB burden countries globally and faces increasing multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and TB-HIV co-infection challenges. The programme addresses national health priorities under the Kenya Health Policy Framework and the National TB Programme by training researchers who can contribute to TB diagnostics, drug resistance surveillance, and treatment improvement.

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions at UoN and KEMRI's Centre for Respiratory Diseases Research, and supervised thesis work. Students train in BSL-3 laboratories for handling pathogenic mycobacteria and collaborate with the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, TB researchers, clinical microbiologists, and public health laboratory scientists in universities, KEMRI, WHO, CDC, the National TB Programme, and international research institutions. The programme provides advanced expertise for leadership roles in TB research and mycobacterial disease control.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in medical microbiology, biomedical sciences, or related health sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in mycobacteriology and TB research.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 464,000
Private, up to: Ksh 400,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Mycobacteriology
Molecular Biology of Mycobacteria
TB Drug Resistance
Diagnostic Mycobacteriology
Immunology of Tuberculosis
Research Methodology
TB Epidemiology
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Biosafety and Laboratory Management

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Mycobacteriology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Taxonomy, physiology, and genetics of mycobacteria including M. tuberculosis complex and non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Molecular Biology of Mycobacteria
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular techniques for studying mycobacterial genetics, genomics, and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis
TB Drug Resistance and Mechanisms
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis, resistance detection methods, and MDR-TB management
Diagnostic Mycobacteriology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced diagnostic methods including culture, molecular assays, and drug susceptibility testing for mycobacterial infections
Immunology of Tuberculosis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Host immune responses to M. tuberculosis, immunopathogenesis of TB, and TB-HIV interactions
TB Epidemiology and Public Health
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Distribution, determinants, and control of TB in Kenya including surveillance, transmission dynamics, and programme evaluation
Research Methodology and Biostatistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design, ethical considerations, and statistical methods for mycobacteriology research
Biosafety and Laboratory Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
BSL-3 biosafety practices, quality management systems, and laboratory accreditation for mycobacteriology laboratories
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on a mycobacteriology topic
Thesis Research and Writing
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners

Specialisations

Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.
Public Health Practice
Specialization in Public Health Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Immunology Research
Specialization in Immunology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as immunologist.
Medical Laboratory Science
Specialization in Medical Laboratory Science, preparing graduates for careers such as medical-laboratory-scientist.
Academic Research
Specialization in Academic Research, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Epidemiology of TB
Specialization in Epidemiology of TB, preparing graduates for careers such as epidemiologist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines BSL-3 laboratory work on mycobacterial cultures, drug susceptibility testing, and molecular diagnostics with data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend research seminars at KEMRI, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with clinical researchers at TB treatment centres.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's high TB burden creates strong demand for TB research expertise
Strong institutional links with KEMRI, WHO, CDC, and the National TB Programme
Opportunities for international collaboration through Stop TB Partnership and NIH grants
Contributes directly to TB elimination efforts in Kenya and globally

Against it

BSL-3 laboratory work requires specialised facilities and strict biosafety protocols
Tuition fees are relatively high at KES 396,000 per year
Mycobacterial cultures grow slowly, extending research timelines
Research funding for TB is competitive and project-based

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public241k to 464k

241k at JKUAT464k at University of Nairobi

Private200k to 400k

200k at Mount Kenya University400k at Aga Khan University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT 241K/yr (ITROMID). UoN 464K/yr (proxy). MKU 200K/yr. AKU unverified.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, NIH TB research grants, WHO/TDR fellowships, and DAAD scholarships for TB research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
NIH TB Research Grant
Grant
WHO/TDR Research Grant
Grant
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
WHO/TDR Career Development Fellowship
FellowshipKenyan
Researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on tropical diseases
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MSc in Medical Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences, or related health science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in a biomedical or health-related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

4 components

Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Laboratory work with pathogenic mycobacteria requires BSL-3 facilities and biosafety approvals.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Clinical Microbiologist
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides mycobacteriology diagnostic services and expertise at hospitals and reference laboratories
Public Health Laboratory Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Supports TB surveillance and laboratory quality management at the National TB Programme or public health laboratories
University Lecturer (Microbiology)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches medical microbiology and conducts TB research in university departments
TB Research Scientist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts TB research at KEMRI, CDC, or international research institutions

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, TB researchers, clinical microbiologists, and public health laboratory scientists in universities, KEMRI, WHO, CDC, and the National TB Programme.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

TB is a solved problem so mycobacteriology research is unnecessary
Kenya is among the 30 high TB burden countries with increasing MDR-TB and TB-HIV co-infection, requiring urgent research for new diagnostics, drugs, and treatment strategies.
Mycobacteriology is only about tuberculosis
Mycobacteriology encompasses M. tuberculosis, M. leprae (leprosy), and non-tuberculous mycobacteria causing opportunistic infections, requiring diverse research approaches.
A PhD in mycobacteriology has limited career prospects
There is strong demand for TB researchers at KEMRI, WHO, CDC, the National TB Programme, and international research institutions working on TB elimination.
Working with mycobacteria is too dangerous
Mycobacteriology research follows strict BSL-3 biosafety protocols designed to safely handle pathogenic mycobacteria.