Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Immunologist
Immune system research — vaccines and disease
What this life looks like
You study and strengthen the body's defence system. Immunologists research how the immune system recognises and fights disease, develop vaccines, investigate why the immune system sometimes attacks the body itself, and develop treatments for immune disorders. In Africa — a continent carrying enormous infectious disease burden — immunology is a career of extraordinary impact.
What she actually does
You conduct laboratory research on immune cells, antibodies, and immune responses; develop and test vaccines; investigate why people respond differently to infections; study autoimmune diseases; conduct clinical trials; analyse data from immunological experiments; and contribute to the development of treatments that save millions of lives.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Research Institutions | KEMRI Kenya, MRC Gambia, AHRI South Africa, NICD South Africa, IAVI Africa |
| Pharmaceutical & Biotech | Aspen Pharmacare vaccine division, BioNTech Africa, Serum Institute partnerships |
| Universities | Academic immunology research departments in major African universities |
| International Health | WHO Africa, Gates Foundation Africa, Wellcome Trust Africa programmes |
Why it matters in Africa
Malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases all involve complex interactions with the human immune system. African immunologists studying these diseases in African populations provide knowledge that global science cannot produce without them. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for African vaccine research and manufacturing capacity.
Your pathway in
- Study Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics at school
- Pursue a degree in Immunology, Biomedical Sciences, or Medicine with research focus
- Complete postgraduate research — a PhD is typically required for a research career in immunology
- Gain experience at African research institutions including KEMRI, MRC Gambia, or AHRI
- Publish research through the African Journals Online and international immunology journals
Skills you will need
- Flow cytometry and cell sorting
- ELISA and antibody assays
- Molecular biology techniques
- Statistical analysis
- Scientific writing
- Grant writing for research funding
A woman in this field
Professor Penny Moore
South Africa
Penny is a world-leading immunologist and the South African Research Chair in Virus-Host Dynamics at the University of the Witwatersrand and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). She specializes in the study of HIV antibodies and was a global leader in characterizing how the immune system responds to different COVID-19 variants (such as Omicron).
Take your first step
- Excel in Biology and Chemistry at school — these are the foundations of immunology
- Research biomedical science degree programmes at universities in your country
- Learn about African vaccine research through the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI)
- Follow IAVI Africa and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) online
Careers close to this one
- Virologist
- Microbiologist
- Epidemiologist
- Biotechnologist
- Pharmaceutical Scientist