Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Biochemistry (Research)
The Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Biochemistry (RESEARCH) is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Biochemistry and at JKUAT through the College of Health Sciences in collaboration with KEMRI. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in medical biochemistry, molecular medicine and clinical biochemistry.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 432,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,296,000 to Ksh 2,160,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 288,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Masters Degree or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The programme addresses Kenya's medical biochemistry research and clinical laboratory development needs.
Students engage with advanced topics in medical biochemistry, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, enzymology, metabolic disorders, molecular medicine, bioinformatics, proteomics, drug discovery biochemistry and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops biochemical insights for Kenya's disease burden and health challenges.
Kenya's infectious disease burden, non-communicable disease rise, nutritional disorders, drug discovery needs, clinical laboratory services and the demand for biochemical research create demand for doctoral-level medical biochemistry expertise. The programme supports Kenya's health research and clinical biochemistry goals.
Teaching is delivered through research and supervised thesis work. At UoN, the Department of Biochemistry offers PhD by research with links to KEMRI, ICIPE, ILRI and other research institutions. At JKUAT, medical biochemistry research is conducted through the College of Health Sciences with KEMRI collaboration. JKUAT PhD total cost is approximately KSh 510,500 over 3 years. KEMRI Graduate School offers PhD in Medical Microbiology through JKUAT/KEMRI collaborative training.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, medical biochemistry researchers, clinical biochemists, drug discovery scientists and diagnostic specialists. They work in universities, KEMRI, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and research institutes.
What you study
10 subjects- Advanced Medical Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology and Molecular Medicine
- Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- Enzymology and Metabolic Disorders
- Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Drug Discovery and Development Biochemistry
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Research Methods in Biochemistry
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced Medical Biochemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical biochemistry, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Molecular Biology and Molecular Medicine
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular medicine, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.
Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Clinical biochemistry, providing hands-on experience through laboratory work, field exercises, and practical applications of theoretical concepts.
Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Proteomics, covering chemical principles, analytical techniques, and their application in research and industrial contexts.
Drug Discovery and Development Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Drug discovery, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.
Research Methods in Biochemistry
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.
Thesis Research
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.
Specialisations
Clinical Biochemistry
Research on clinical biochemistry
Drug Discovery
Research on drug discovery biochemistry
Molecular Medicine
Research on molecular medicine
Proteomics
Research on proteomics
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting biochemical research, running laboratory experiments, analysing molecular data, reviewing biochemistry literature, attending seminars on molecular medicine, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KEMRI, hospitals and research institutes for research collaboration.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's disease burden creates strong research demand | Requires expensive laboratory equipment and reagents |
| Access to KEMRI, ICIPE and ILRI | UoN health science PhD fees are high (KSh 432,000/year) |
| Research contributes to health improvement | Ethical approvals for medical research can be lengthy |
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 coursesAnnual 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 ~170k/yr verified. UoN ~432k/yr (UoN pattern). KeMU 144k, Kabarak 288k/yr verified (kabarak.ac.ke).
HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants. KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme offers research funding and training opportunities.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant
KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
Scholarships
4 recordedKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
FellowshipKenyan
Health researchers in Kenya
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
At UoN: MSc from UoN or recognised institution. Department of Biochemistry. Research PhD. Links to KEMRI, ICIPE, ILRI. At JKUAT/KEMRI: Bachelor's degree Second Class Upper Division + MSc Medical Microbiology or related. Application fee KSh 3,500 for PhD. Total approximately KSh 510,500.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
3 componentsThesis
Thesis60% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Research Seminars
Continuous assessment20% of the mark
Seminar presentations and research progress reports
Accreditation
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board
Professional
Regulates medical laboratory professionals in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at University of Nairobi (Department of Biochemistry, research PhD) and JKUAT (College of Health Sciences, KEMRI collaboration, total approximately KSh 510,500). KEMRI Graduate School offers collaborative JKUAT/KEMRI PhD training. Application fee KSh 3,500 for PhD.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesClinical Biochemist
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Clinical biochemistry at hospitals
University Professor
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaching and research in biochemistry departments
Drug Discovery Scientist
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Drug discovery at pharmaceutical companies
Medical Biochemistry Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research at KEMRI and research institutes
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, medical biochemistry researchers, clinical biochemists and drug discovery scientists. They work at KEMRI, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Medical biochemistry is just about blood tests.
The field covers molecular medicine, proteomics, drug discovery, bioinformatics and metabolic disorders.
There is no demand for medical biochemistry PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's disease burden and drug discovery needs create demand.
Biochemistry research is purely laboratory work.
The programme uses computational biology, bioinformatics and clinical research methods.
Only chemists study medical biochemistry.
The programme attracts medical professionals, biologists and pharmacists.