PhD studentship in mucosal immunology

Applications are invited for a fully funded full-time PhD research position at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK. The PhD position will focus on the mucosal immune response during respiratory viral infections, incorporating studies of natural infections and controlled human infection models. 

The earliest responses in the respiratory mucosa fundamentally shape the scale and nature of the immune response to respiratory viruses. Perturbations in these early events can occur in people with chronic airways diseases or other demographic factors that place them at high risk. This can result in a failure to mount effective early immune responses, leading to a greater likelihood of infection occurring and a pathologic inflammatory response during established infection.

This project aims to characterise the earliest events in the airway mucosa following exposure to a respiratory virus, and to identify associations between these early responses and subsequent immune, viral and clinical outcomes of infection. The mechanisms behind these associations will then be investigated using in vitro model systems including primary human cell co-cultures and air-liquid interface models.

The analyses and results will be presented in international conferences and published in high impact journals. The student will receive training in advanced experimental techniques including high-dimensional flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing and immunoassays/proteomics.

The studentship is expected to start in October 2024 and will be based in the Respiratory Infections section of the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London. The work will take place in newly refurbished laboratories in the Hammersmith campus of Imperial College London. This houses state-of-the-art facilities and hosts a diverse and engaging group of researchers. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work with internal and external collaborators across Europe and the USA. The PhD student will be supervised by Dr Ryan Thwaites.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a one-page personal statement detailing your academic background and research interests, a CV and contact information of two professional/academic references to Dr Ryan Thwaites via email (r.thwaites@imperial.ac.uk). Informal inquiries should also be directed to Dr Thwaites.

Eligibility

The ideal candidate should have an excellent academic track record in Immunology or a related discipline, with an undergraduate degree at 2:1 level or higher and, normally, a Master’s degree with merit or higher (or non-UK equivalents). Laboratory experience in techniques such as cytometry, cell culture and immunoassays would be advantageous. Candidates should be self-motivated, proactive, have excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to work well within a multidisciplinary translational research team. To comply with funding restrictions, this application is open to UK students only.

Funding notes

This position is available as a fully funded PhD studentship, including 3 years of tuition fees (home rate only) and provides a 3-year, tax-free stipend of £20,662 per annum.

Please note that candidates must fulfil the college admission criteria.

Application deadline 5^th August 2024