CALL FOR PhD APPLICATIONS
We invite applications for one fully funded doctoral position in the field of healthcare management. The position is offered as part of the PACE-UP project funded by DAAD over a period of four years. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a PhD in collaboration with the University of Tübingen, Germany and the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany.
Program Benefits:
- 4-year funded PhD position (July 2026 – June 2030)
- Monthly scholarship (€1400), health insurance, return flight tickets
- Access to advanced laboratory and research infrastructure
- Opportunities for international exchange, fieldwork, and conferences
- Supervision within a vibrant international research consortium
Eligibility:
- Vietnamese from an institution within the PACE-UP network
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (health sciences, public health, etc.)
- Candidates must be under 45 years of age
- Strong academic record and demonstrated research interest
- Proficiency in English (spoken & written with a proficiency level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5)
- Basic proficiency in qualitative research methods, experience in conducting & analyzing in-depth interview as well as basic proficiency in statistical methods.
- Enthusiasm for health service improvement & system strengthening.
- Be able to work with a range of stakeholders and collaborators.
- Candidates must commit to returning to their home institutions post-PhD to contribute to local capacity building
Application deadline: 29 May 2026 / Program start date: 01 July 2026
Send applications to: salome.steinke@vgcare.org
PAST CALLS
Call for Application: PACE-UP Regional Internships and for Alumni/Affiliated Researchers
The PAN ASEAN Coalition for Epidemic and OUtbreak Preparedness program (PACE-UP) is offering two types of 3-month internships supported by a monthly scholarship. PACE-UP is one of the four Global Health Centers (the only one in Asia), funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) / Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AA), Germany.
Regional Internship: 3 month regional internship at the Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi for early-career researchers from PACE-UP Partner institutions in ASEAN.
Eligibility for Regional Internship:
- Member of PACE-UP Partner institution in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia
- Early Career Researcher (Bachelor student to 5 years after PhD)
- Strong Research Interest
- Enthusiasm and Willingness to Travel Internationally
- Good Proficiency in English
Internship for PACE-UP Alumni/Affiliated Researchers: 3 month regional internship at a PACE-UP affiliated institution in Germany.
Eligibility for Alumni/Affiliated Researchers Internships:
- Alumni or Affiliated Researcher of PACE-UP Partner Institutions in Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia
- Early- to Mid-Career Researcher (Early-Career: Bachelor student to 5 years after PhD; Mid-Career: From 5 years post-PhD to career stages before professorship)
- Strong Academic Record
- Enthusiasm and Willingness to Travel Internationally
- Good Proficiency in English
Application Documents for both internship types:
- CV (max. 2 pages)
- Study protocol (max. 2 pages)
- Proof of English Proficiency
- Letter of Support from Home Institution
Application deadline: 15 April 2026
Send applications to: salome.steinke@vgcare.org and alexa.purgreth@klinikum.uni-tuebingen.de
PACE-UP Master's Module 2026: Call for Proposals
Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE) is announcing 4 Master’s module internships for a period of 5 months in the framework of the PAN ASEAN Coalition for Epidemic and OUtbreak Preparedness program (PACE-UP). PACE-UP is one of the four Global Health Centers (the only one in Asia), funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) / Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AA), Germany.
Eligibility:
- Master’s students in biology/biochemistry/infectious diseases from universities in Vietnam already registered for their master’s thesis.
- A bachelor’s degree is a pre-requisite.
- Master students must be available for five full months in person at VG-CARE to be eligible for the scholarship.
- Master thesis must be completed no later than December 2026.
- Completion of the Master’s degree in 2027.
Application Documents:
All documents below in English (in one PDF):
- a cover letter with a CV
- a topic/short proposal (strictly half a page) for your Master’s thesis in the field of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
- Possibility of sampling and availability of biobanked or retrospective samples for proposed experimental studies.
- Name of your supervisor (preidentified), and his/her email ID.
- English proficiency equivalent to minimum IELTS score of 5.5 (recommended), or a demonstrated ability to communicate and write in English at an equivalent level.
Application deadline: 31 December 2025
📧 Send applications to: salome.steinke@vgcare.org and truongnhatmy@gmail.com
CALL FOR PhD APPLICATIONS
We invite applications for one fully funded doctoral position in the field of healthcare management. The position is offered as part of the PACE-UP project funded by DAAD over a period of four years. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the University of Tübingen, Germany.
Program Benefits:
- 4-year funded PhD position (July 2026 – June 2030)
- Monthly scholarship (€1400), health insurance, return flight tickets
- Access to advanced laboratory and research infrastructure
- Opportunities for international exchange, fieldwork, and conferences
- Supervision within a vibrant international research consortium
Eligibility:
- Vietnamese from an institution within the PACE-UP network
- Master’s degree or MD with Master’s degree in a relevant field (health sciences, public health, etc.)
- Candidates must be under 45 years of age
- Strong academic record and demonstrated research interest
- Proficiency in English (spoken & written with a proficiency level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5)
- Basic proficiency in qualitative research methods, experience in conducting & analyzing in-depth interview as well as basic proficiency in statistical methods.
- Enthusiasm for health service improvement & system strengthening.
- Be able to work with a range of stakeholders and collaborators.
- Candidates must commit to returning to their home institutions post-PhD to contribute to local capacity building
Application deadline: 10 December 2025 / Program start date: 01 July 2026
📧 Send applications to: salome.steinke@vgcare.org
CALL FOR PhD APPLICATIONS
We invite applications for one fully funded doctoral position in the field of basic research on infectious disease. The position is offered as part of the PACE-UP project funded by DAAD over a period of four years. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, in collaboration with the University of Hamburg.
Program Benefits:
- 4-year funded PhD position (July 2026 – June 2030)
- Monthly scholarship (€1400), health insurance, return flight tickets
- Access to advanced laboratory and research infrastructure
- Opportunities for international exchange, fieldwork, and conferences
- Supervision within a vibrant international research consortium
Eligibility:
- Vietnamese from an institution within the PACE-UP network
- Master’s degree or MD with Master’s degree in a relevant field (health sciences, public health, etc.)
- Candidates must be under 45 years of age
- Strong academic record and demonstrated research interest
- Proficiency in English (spoken & written with a proficiency level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5)
- Ability to critically read and interpret scientific literature
- Basic molecular laboratory skills in cell culture, RNA purification, PCR and adherence to good laboratory practices.
- Interest in mosquitoes and capability to work under high safety level (BSL2/3)
- Candidates must commit to returning to their home institutions post-PhD to contribute to local capacity building
Application deadline: 10 December 2025 / Program start date: 01 July 2026
📧 Send applications to: salome.steinke@vgcare.org
CALL FOR POSTDOC APPLICATIONS
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher (m/f/d) to join our team at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Germany. The position is part of the PACE-UP initiative and offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on arboviruses, with a particular focus on dengue. The position is full-time and available from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
Your Profile:
- Medical Degree MD with a PhD in Experimental Medicine or Molecular Biology
- Proven and demonstrated clinical research experience on viral haemorrhagic fever causing pathogens in ASEAN countries
- Strong publications related to epidemiological studies and/or on host-viral interactions
- Alumni of the PACE-UP program (considered an asset)
- Flexibility and readiness to travel to Asia and Africa as required
How to Apply:
Submit a single PDF (in English) including:
- CV (max 2 pages) and list of publications
- Statement of Purpose/motivational letter (max 1 page)
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- English proficiency certificate (TOEFL/IELTS/TOEIC or equivalent)
- Vietnamese proficiency
- Names and contacts of two academic referees
Application deadline: 30 November 2025
📧 Send applications to: salome.steinke@vgcare.org
CALL FOR PhD APPLICATIONS
Fully funded PhD positions are now available in infectious diseases, epidemiology, global health, and antimicrobial resistance at leading institutions in Germany. The program is part of the PAN ASEAN Coalition for Epidemic and Outbreak Preparedness (PACE-UP), funded by DAAD.
Program Benefits:
- 4-year funded PhD position (July 2026 – June 2030)
- Monthly scholarship (€1400), health insurance, return flight tickets
- Access to advanced laboratory and research infrastructure
- Opportunities for international exchange, fieldwork, and conferences
- Supervision within a vibrant international research consortium
Eligibility:
- Vietnamese from an institution within the PACE-UP network
- Master’s degree or MD with Master’s degree in a relevant field (health sciences, public health, etc.)
- Candidates must be under 45 years of age
- Strong academic record and demonstrated research interest
- Proficiency in English (spoken & written with a proficiency level equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5)
- Skills in literature review, molecular laboratory practices, and scientific analysis
- Candidates must commit to returning to their home institutions post-PhD to contribute to local capacity building
How to Apply:
Submit a single PDF (in English) including:
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Statement of Purpose/motivational letter (max 1 page)
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- English proficiency certificate (TOEFL/IELTS/TOEIC or equivalent)
- Names and contacts of two academic referees
Application deadline: 10 November 2025 / Program start date: 01 July 2026
📧 Send applications to: salome.steinke@vgcare.org
PACE-UP ALUMNI DAY 2025: STRENGTHENING GLOBAL HEALTH FOR THE FUTURE
The PACE-UP Alumni Day 2025 is a gathering of over 120 distinguished scholars, researchers, and professionals who have been/are part of the Global Health Center.
Since its inception in 2021, PACE-UP has made significant contributions to capacity-building in Global South by providing full four-year PhD scholarships, sandwich internships between Asia and Africa, financial support for Master’s students across ASEAN to conduct their theses, and specialized workshops on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, as well as expert seminars on GCP/GCLP and Ethics as well as through joint projects in cooperation with other Global Health Centers of the DAAD.
This event serves as a platform to connect, exchange insights, and advance interdisciplinary collaborations in Global Health. Key highlights include:
- Poster & Presentation Sessions Showcasing research and regional initiatives from institutions across Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Panel Discussion – Led by PACE-UP alumni, addressing critical challenges in resource-limited settings, sustainable capacity building, and the role of partnerships in strengthening Global Health.
- Career & Professional Development – In collaboration with DAAD, offering insights into career trajectories and opportunities for ongoing engagement beyond PACE-UP.
By bringing together alumni, faculty, and experts, PACE-UP Alumni Day 2025 celebrates these achievements while shaping the future of Global Health resilience and innovation.
EXPERT SEMINARS & HANDS-ON TRAINING ON EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND BASIC PRINCIPLES OF BIOSAFETY
- Module 1: Focuses on the epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging viruses, outbreak detection, early management, infection control, antimicrobial resistance, and zoonoses. Sessions feature international experts from Europe, Africa, and Asia, with 45-minute lectures tailored for researchers and professionals (MD, MSc, MPH, PhD), including physicians, veterinarians, entomologists, and epidemiologists.
- Module 2: A hands-on training for frontline healthcare workers in national reference centers and laboratories. It covers biosafety principles (BSL-I-III), infection control, PPE usage, and diagnostic techniques for outbreak situations, using a BSL-2 mobile lab with BSC-III cabinet. Designed for doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, technicians, and public health professionals.
COURSE MODULES ON ‘EMERGING AND REMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND BASIC PRINCIPLES OF BIOSAFETY’
PACE-UP is organising two course modules on ‘Emerging and remerging infectious diseases and basic principles of Biosafety’ in a hybrid mode from 23 to 30 April 2024. For further details on the modules, please refer to the attached documents: Program, Booklet and Flyer.
Please take the opportunity to forward this invitation to your partner institutes and ask interested individuals to register for the online participation via the following link: https://unej.id/regWSapril24. Participation from overseas by online modus is free.
The deadline for registration is 16 April 2024. On registration, registered persons will receive an email with their responses entered. The link for the invitation to participate in the course modules will be sent on or before 20 April 2024. For further inquiries, please contact: Dr. Alexa Purgreth (alexa.purgreth@klinikum.uni-tuebingen.de) and/or Mr. Andras Dao (andreas.dao@vgcare.org).
CONTACT IN ASIA
Ms. Salome Steinke
- 1, Tran Hung Dao, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi, Vietnam
- 0084(0)984684908
- salome.steinke@vgcare.org
CONTACT IN EUROPE
Dr. Alexa Purgreth
- Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- 0049(0)70712982905
- alexa.purgreth@klinikum.uni-tuebingen.de
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.