Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Fink Lab)

Job title:

Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Fink Lab)

Company

University College London

Job description

About usThe is seeking an ambitious and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Band 7) to join our team investigating the role of anti-cytokine auto-antibodies in immune dysfunction and disease during ageing. Leveraging access to unique clinical cohorts, the Fink lab aims to understand and improve poor outcomes of infection and vaccination in people living with frail immunity including during ageing, chronic virus infections, and organ failure, encompassing solid organ transplant recipients. The post holder will be based at the new state-of-the-art Institute of Immunity and Transplantation ( ), in UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity (Royal Free campus, Pears Building). Work within the Institute aims to translate advances in the understanding of the immune system into improved therapies for patients.This project is an NIHR-funded collaboration with the UCL study and biobank, and the at Fred Hutch Cancer Centre, Seattle, USA. VIVALDI is a large multi-site cohort study of long-term care facility residents with advanced age (median age 89 years) designed to characterise SARS-CoV-2 transmission and vaccination responses in this vulnerable population. We will generate the first unbiased auto-antibody association study for outcomes of infection and vaccinations in older adults using Rapid Extracellular Antigen Profiling (REAP) to test biobanked serum samples against >6000 extracellular proteins linked to VIVALDI metadata. This will address the urgent need to understand the full breadth and impact of anti-cytokine auto-antibodies in older adults. Age-related auto-reactivity emerged as a key driver of infection mortality during the pandemic, when anti-type 1 interferon auto-antibodies were detected in 20% of individuals who died from COVID. We expect to find that diverse anti-cytokine and anti-chemokine auto-antibodies in older adults disrupt immune responses to impair infection and vaccination outcomes.About the roleThe successful candidate will be expected to perform high-quality research to validate auto-antibodies identified by REAP and undertake B cell immunophenotyping of the VIVALDI cohort. REAP-identified auto-antibodies are expected to include those against diverse cytokines and chemokines, the function of which will be assayed using in vitro bioassays and ex vivo immunophenotyping and RNA sequencing of blood cells matched to sera from the VIVALDI biobank. Working with collaborators in the , the candidate will also adapt B cell ELISpot assays, used to detect pathogen-specific B cell memory, to measure auto-antigen-specific B cell memory in the VIVALDI cohort. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake independent high-quality analyses of linked clinical metadata working with VIVALDI statisticians. The successful candidate will also be expected to generate, analyse, and present scientific findings from the work undertaken to a broad range of audiences, both internal and external to UCL. The successful candidate will join a new research group and will get the opportunity to work directly alongside the PI within a dynamic and collaborative group of multidisciplinary scientists from across the IIT, UCL and external partners.The position is available for 1 year in the first instance. The position may be extended, dependent on project success, funding, and scientific priorities. The post is ideal for a motivated postdoctoral scientist (or someone who is about to submit their thesis) who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team.About youThe successful applicant should have a PhD or equivalent (or soon to be awarded) in Biology/Immunology/Biomedical Sciences or a related subject and have significant experience working in a research laboratory.A high level of attention to detail and a proven commitment to scientific excellence are essential. Competency in human cell biology and cellular immunology techniques are essential. Experience with data linkage using clinical datasets is also desirable. Molecular biology experience is also desirable including wet and dry lab RNA sequencing skills.Candidates must have a track record of showing important contributions to research, excellent oral and written scientific communications skills, commitment to collaboration in research and to taking a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving. They must be highly organised, able to manage their time and work to strict deadlines. They must be able to deal pleasantly and effectively with a wide range of people and keep accurate and detailed written laboratory records.Note: Appointment at grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at the Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary £38,607- £41,255 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.Informal enquiries regarding the vacancy can be made by email to Dr Doug Fink atIf you have any queries regarding the vacancy, please contact our Divisional HR team – email:What we offerAs well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit to find out more.Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.Available documents

Expected salary

£38607 – 41255 per year

Location

North West London

Job date

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:50:29 GMT

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