Research Fellow/PhD Student

DIGIPATHS PROJECT

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and highly motivated candidates for two Research Fellow/PhD Student positions under the DIGIPATHS Project - Digitally Integrated Care Pathways for Multiple Long-Term Conditions Management in Primary Care, Sri Lanka.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

DIGIPATHS is an international collaborative research programme that seeks to develop, implement and evaluate digitally integrated care pathways within electronic health-record systems to improve the management of multiple long-term conditions in Sri Lankan primary care.

THE POSITIONS

The selected candidates will be based at the Centre for Digital Health and AI for Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, and will work under the joint supervision of: Professor Vajira H. W. Dissanayake and Professor Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar.

The positions will provide opportunities to undertake doctoral research aligned with the objectives of the DIGIPATHS Project, subject to the applicable university admission and registration requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation and evaluation of digitally integrated care pathways;
• Undertake quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research;
• Collect, manage and analyse clinical, health-system and electronic health-record data;
• Support the development and evaluation of digital health and clinical decision-support tools;
• Engage with healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers and other project stakeholders;
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary research teams in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom;
• Prepare research reports, scientific publications and conference presentations; and
• Comply with applicable research ethics, data-protection and research-governance requirements.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Biomedical Informatics, Health Informatics, Informatics, Data Science, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health or another closely related field;
• A sound understanding of research methodology and data analysis;
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English;
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• A strong interest in digital health, artificial intelligence, primary healthcare and the management of multiple long-term conditions.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Statistical analysis or programming using R, Python, SQL or comparable tools;
• Electronic health records, health information systems or clinical decision-support systems;
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning or health-data science;
• Epidemiological, implementation-science or health-systems research;
• Qualitative or mixed-methods research;
• Scientific writing or peer-reviewed publication.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants should submit the following: a cover letter outlining their suitability and research interests; a detailed curriculum vitae; copies of relevant degree certificates and academic transcripts; and the names and contact details of two academic or professional referees.

EMAIL APPLICATIONS TO: chspi@med.cmb.ac.lk
SUBJECT: DIGIPATHS Research Fellow/PhD Application - [Applicant's Name]

CLOSING DATE: 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview on Monday, 5 October 2026. Applicants should ensure that they are available on this date.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.