The Environmental Health Group at LSHTM is undertaking a three-year randomized, controlled trial in Orissa, India to investigate the impact of improved rural sanitation on diarrhoeal disease and helminth infection.  The grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation includes three years of funding for a PhD studentship at LSHTM to participate and support various aspects of the study, including design and data analysis.  A principal focus of the studentship will be to investigate the use of previously installed latrines, assess the impact of sub-optimal latrine use on exposure to faecal pathogens and improve methods for assessing latrine use.  While the student will develop the actual research plan, it is envisioned that the work will involve a cross-sectional study in Orissa to assess the extent to which latrines installed during the past five years have been fully adopted by householders.  In addition, the researcher will undertake a trial of a “smart” technology for assessing latrine use and compare this with more conventional approaches.
After an initial orientation of several months in London, the study will be expected to live and work in Orissa for 18 months to conduct fieldwork and support the work of other investigators.  During this time, the student will be based with other team members at our facilities located on the campus of Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the leading research groups worldwide in water, sanitation and hygiene and to be part of an expanding regional research centre in South Asia for LSHTM and its partners in India.

Scholarship Application Deadline: (Contact Employer) The studentship is available immediately. Applications will be accepted until the studentship is filled.

Further Scholarship Information and Application