Research Fellow - London, United Kingdom - UCL Eastman Dental Institute

Description

About the role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position funded by a Medical Research Council Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme in the Division of Infection and Immunity. Work within the Maini lab aims to translate advances in the understanding of pathogens, cancer and the immune system into improved diagnosis and therapy, with a particular focus on harnessing tissue immunity for frontline defence. This position will be focused on the Maini lab's development of a mucosal-targeted, infection-blocking pan-cornavirus vaccine as part of an international collaboration of cutting-edge immunologists.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic group of basic and clinical scientists all working on integrated aspects of the immunopathogenesis and immunotherapy of hepatitis B, liver cancer and SARS-CoV-2. This new funding is based on our exciting finding that memory T cells targeting the highly conserved replication proteins of SARS-CoV-2 can abort infection in its the earliest stages, with excellent potential to cross-recognise variants and other human and animal coronaviruses (Swadling et al, Nature ); such responses can acquire tissue-residence in the airways but are not effectively boosted by classical infection or existing vaccines (Diniz, Mitsi et al Nature Immunology , Mitsi, Diniz et al, Nature Comms ).

About you

The post holder will be an enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher, expected to perform high quality research under the direction of the principal investigator, Mala Maini, working closely with her senior post-doc, Mariana Diniz and with co-investigator and group leader at IIT Leo Swadling. They will also interact closely with the research assistant funded by this grant and with other co-applicants and collaborators on this project. We are seeking highly motivated individuals with the ability to generate their own research strategies and pursue them with determination, flexibility and creativity.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details. Please also read the attached Candidate Guidance document.

All applications must include a supporting statement telling us, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria listed in the job description. Applications without a supporting statement will be rejected.

If you have any queries about the role or application process, have any technical issues, or need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the staffing team at .

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits some of which are listed below: