Research Associate / Postdoctoral Position in Global Child Health 2026: Join Witten/Herdecke University and Collaborate with Malawi ·Unknown

Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) is inviting applications for a Research Associate / Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in the field of Global Child Health. This exciting opportunity is based at the Friede Springer Endowed Professorship in Global Child Health, one of Germany’s leading academic centres dedicated to improving child health worldwide.

The successful candidate will play a key role in coordinating international research, strengthening health systems, and supporting collaboration between Germany and Malawi through the Else Kröner Center for Global Child Health (EKC-GCH).

The position is offered on a 48-month fixed-term contract beginning 1 September 2026.

Application Deadline: 11 August 2026

Position Overview

Position: Research Associate / Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)
Institution: Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H)
Department: Friede Springer Endowed Professorship in Global Child Health
Location: Witten, Germany
Employment Type: Part-time (60% – 24 hours per week)
Contract Duration: 48 months
Expected Start Date: 1 September 2026
Application Deadline: 11 August 2026

About Witten/Herdecke University

Founded in 1982, Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) is Germany’s first privately funded university and is recognised for excellence in education, research, and innovation.

The university employs more than 900 staff members and serves approximately 3,700 students across the Faculties of Health Sciences and Economics and Social Sciences.

Its Friede Springer Endowed Professorship in Global Child Health is also a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Global Child Health, working closely with the Else Kröner Center for Global Child Health (EKC-GCH) in Malawi to improve child healthcare through research, education, and international collaboration.

About the Role

The Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher will provide strategic and scientific leadership for projects aimed at strengthening child health systems in low-resource settings.

Working closely with partner institutions in Germany and Malawi, the successful candidate will coordinate international research programmes, oversee project implementation, support fundraising efforts, and contribute to academic capacity building.

The role combines research, project management, partnership development, and scientific leadership within an internationally recognised global health programme.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Project Coordination

The successful candidate will:

• Coordinate and manage the Else Kröner Center for Global Child Health (EKC-GCH) on the German side.
• Work closely with partner institutions in Malawi.
• Monitor project milestones, deliverables, and quality standards.
• Support strategic planning and programme development.

Research Leadership and Quality Assurance

Responsibilities include:

• Providing scientific oversight for international research and development projects.
• Ensuring compliance with ethical, scientific, and regulatory standards.
• Supporting implementation of evidence-based global child health initiatives.

Partnership Development

The role involves:

• Coordinating collaboration with national and international institutions.
• Maintaining and expanding strategic research networks.
• Acting as a key liaison between Germany and Malawi.
• Representing the project in meetings with partners and stakeholders.

Grant Management and Fundraising

The successful applicant will:

• Communicate with funding organisations.
• Support project administration and reporting.
• Develop competitive grant applications.
• Secure additional external research funding.

Capacity Building and Academic Supervision

The postholder will:

• Supervise students and early-career researchers.
• Promote academic exchange between Germany and Malawi.
• Organise knowledge-sharing activities and collaborative learning initiatives.

Scientific Communication

The role also includes:

• Presenting research at national and international conferences.
• Supporting dissemination of research findings.
• Contributing to scientific publications and communication activities.
• Working closely with the Head of the Friede Springer Endowed Professorship to strengthen the long-term strategic development of the programme.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in:
  • Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Health Sciences
  • Or another closely related discipline.
• A doctoral qualification (PhD, Dr. med., or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Candidates planning to pursue a habilitation are encouraged to apply.

For medical professionals, specialisation in Paediatrics will be considered an advantage.

Experience and Skills

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• Several years of experience managing international health research or development projects.
• Experience working abroad, either clinically or in project management.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Global child health.
  • Public health.
  • International health systems.
• Experience managing externally funded research projects.
• Strong organisational and strategic planning skills.
• Experience collaborating with international partners.
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Experience mentoring students and early-career researchers is desirable.

Language Requirements

Applicants should have:

• Business-level fluency in written and spoken English.

In addition:

• Knowledge of German, or willingness to learn, is desirable.
• French language skills are considered an advantage.

Personal Qualities

The university is seeking candidates who demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking.
• Leadership and coordination abilities.
• Strong negotiation and diplomatic skills.
• Initiative and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Commitment to international collaboration.
• Willingness to travel regularly, particularly to Malawi.

Employee Benefits

Witten/Herdecke University offers an attractive working environment with benefits including:

• 30 days of annual leave, plus additional leave days.
• Flexible working arrangements that support work-life balance.
• Direct access to medical care.
• Various employee subsidies.
• Continuing professional development and training opportunities.
• Eco-friendly mobility support.
• Opportunities to work within an internationally recognised global health research network.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their application online, including the standard application documents, before:

Application Deadline: 11 August 2026

APPLY NOW

For further information, applicants may contact:

Professor Dr. med. Ralf Weigel
Head of the Research Group
Email: globalchildhealth@uni-wh.de

Witten/Herdecke University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. The university also actively encourages applications from women to strengthen gender balance within academic staff.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this programme. Please do not send applications or supporting documents to GSO. All applications should be submitted directly through the official application platform before the stated deadline.

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