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Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biomedical Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biomedical Sciences is a doctoral programme offered at KEMRI Graduate School in collaboration with JKUAT and at the University of Nairobi through the Faculty of Health Sciences. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in molecular biomedical sciences, molecular diagnostics and translational medicine. The programme addresses Kenya's biomedical research and molecular medicine development needs.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 432,000
Ksh 1,296,000 to Ksh 2,160,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 288,000
Ksh 864,000 to Ksh 1,440,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

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

Students engage with advanced topics in molecular biomedical sciences, molecular diagnostics, translational research, molecular pathology, immunology, molecular epidemiology, biomarker discovery, molecular therapeutics, genomics and proteomics in disease and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops molecular biomedical insights for Kenya's disease burden and health challenges.

Kenya's infectious disease burden, non-communicable disease rise, molecular diagnostics needs, personalised medicine potential, biomarker discovery, translational research and the demand for biomedical research create demand for doctoral-level molecular biomedical sciences expertise. The programme supports Kenya's biomedical research and translational medicine goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At KEMRI Graduate School, PhD in Molecular Biomedical Sciences is offered through JKUAT/KEMRI collaborative training. School of Biomedical Sciences includes departments of Medical Microbiology, Medical Virology, Medical Mycology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine.

Application fee KSh 3,500 for PhD. Duration 3 years with coursework, research and thesis. JKUAT PhD total approximately KSh 510,500.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, biomedical researchers, molecular diagnosticians, translational medicine specialists and clinical research scientists. They work in universities, KEMRI, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and research institutes.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Advanced Molecular Biomedical Sciences
  • Molecular Diagnostics and Pathology
  • Translational Research and Personalised Medicine
  • Molecular Immunology and Immunodiagnostics
  • Molecular Epidemiology of Diseases
  • Biomarker Discovery and Validation
  • Molecular Therapeutics and Drug Development
  • Genomics and Proteomics in Disease
  • Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases
  • Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Advanced Molecular Biomedical Sciences

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Biomedical sciences, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Molecular Diagnostics and Pathology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Molecular diagnostics, covering pathological principles, diagnostic techniques, and their application in disease investigation.

  • Translational Research and Personalised Medicine

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Translational research, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Biomarker Discovery and Validation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Biomarkers, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Molecular Therapeutics and Drug Development

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Molecular therapeutics, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.

  • Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences

    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

  • Translational Medicine

    Research on translational medicine

  • Molecular Therapeutics

    Research on molecular therapeutics

  • Biomarker Discovery

    Research on biomarkers

  • Molecular Diagnostics

    Research on molecular diagnostics

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting biomedical research, running molecular diagnostics, analysing genomic and proteomic data, reviewing biomedical literature, attending seminars on translational medicine, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KEMRI, hospitals and CDC for research collaboration.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's disease burden creates strong research demandRequires expensive molecular biology equipment
Access to KEMRI, CDC and WHO KenyaEthical approvals for biomedical research can be lengthy
Research contributes to translational medicineRequires multidisciplinary knowledge

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
Public170k to 432k
170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology432k at University of Nairobi
Private144k to 288k
144k at Kenya Methodist University288k at Kabarak 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 ~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 offers research funding and training.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

  • KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

Scholarships

4 recorded

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Science and technology researchers in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme

    FellowshipKenyan

    Health researchers in Kenya

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Masters Degreeminimum entry
Alternative entry

At JKUAT/KEMRI: Bachelor's degree Second Class Upper Division + MSc in relevant biomedical field. Application fee KSh 3,500 for PhD. School of Biomedical Sciences. Total approximately KSh 510,500 over 3 years. Duration 3 years, coursework, research and thesis.

Subject requirements
MSc in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Kisii University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.

May 20273 institutions

Including Kisii University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.

September 20274 institutions

Including Kisii University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, laboratory projects and seminar presentations

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

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 KEMRI Graduate School (JKUAT/KEMRI collaborative, School of Biomedical Sciences, total approximately KSh 510,500, application fee KSh 3,500) and University of Nairobi (Faculty of Health Sciences). KEMRI School of Biomedical Sciences includes departments of Medical Microbiology, Medical Virology, Medical Mycology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Biomedical Researcher

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Research at KEMRI and research institutes

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaching and research in biomedical departments

  • Translational Medicine Specialist

    High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Translational research at pharmaceutical companies

  • Molecular Diagnostician

    High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Molecular diagnostics at hospitals

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, biomedical researchers, molecular diagnosticians and translational medicine specialists. They work at KEMRI, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Molecular biomedical sciences is just about lab tests.

    The field covers translational research, biomarker discovery, molecular therapeutics, genomics and personalised medicine.

  • There is no demand for biomedical PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's disease burden and translational research create strong demand.

  • Biomedical research is purely laboratory work.

    The programme uses genomics, bioinformatics, clinical research and epidemiology.

  • Only medical doctors study this PhD.

    The programme attracts biochemists, microbiologists and biotechnologists.

Further reading

Read next