Research Fellow

Job title:

Research Fellow

Company

University College London

Job description

About usApplications are invited for a Wellcome Trust funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in the laboratory of Dr. Leo Swadling at the Pears Building, as part of the Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL.Swadling T cell Lab: The overarching aim of the lab is to characterise T cell responses at the extremes of controlled or uncontrolled viral replication in natural history studies (in particular to coronaviruses, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection) to identify correlates of protection related to T cell specificity and quality – which T cells are most efficacious in diverse settings, and to then optimise vaccine design to recapitulate these correlates. We are particularly interested in how the specificity of the T cell response determines their protective efficacy and how we can rationally design vaccine immunogens to maximise cross-protection for variable viruses.For more information on the Swadling lab see: , ,Institute: The Institute of Immunity and Transplantation (IIT) is embedded within the Division of Infection and Immunity at UCL. The IIT brings together a critical mass of more than 25 world-class immunology research groups working at the forefront of translational immunology. Work within the IIT aims to translate advances in the understanding of the immune system to improved therapies for patients. The Institute’s close links to the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust provides an excellent interface between science and medicine . The Division of Infection and Immunity provides an effective infrastructure for immunology/virology research and a lively and sociable environment, always striving for excellence. There is an established track record for post-docs gaining personal fellowships. Independently minded and talented investigators will be encouraged and supported in seeking such fellowship support. The Division holds a silver award for the Athena Swan Charter which recognises the advancement of gender equality and aims for representation, progression and success for all. Further information about the Institute can be found at .About the roleProject: Rational Design of Cross-protective T cell vaccinesKeywords: Vaccines, T cells, Immunology, Virology, T cell Receptor, Cross-reactivity, Coronavirus, Machine Learning, Proactive Vaccinology.This project is based on our exciting finding that pre-existing memory T cells targeting the highly conserved replication proteins of coronaviruses could abort SARS-CoV-2 infection in its the earliest stages (Swadling et al, Nature 2022). These pre-existing T cells, induced before SARS-CoV-2 circulated in humans, could prevent detectable SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing proof-of-concept for T-cell mediated cross-protection against members of the coronavirus family. With this project we will now further refine this T cell correlate of protection and use this information to rationally design cross-protective vaccines.In the first instance the post holder will characterise the TCR repertoire in abortive infection and in individuals who were experimentally challenged with SARS-CoV-2 to investigate the specificity and kinetics of T cell responses associated with protection (Milighetti et al., iScience 2023). The post holder will also help generate a library of TCRs targeting replication proteins which can be used to interrogate local and public datasets, in particular to identify dominant metaclonotypes across samples. This work will be done in close collaboration with Dr Andreas Mayer, also within IIT at UCL (https://qimmuno.com/).The post holder will be responsible for assisting the Principal Investigator by performing laboratory and computational based research including but not limited to:

• TCR repertoire analysis
• Identification and curation of publicly available TCR data
• Molecular work related to single cell RNA sequencing (including TCR sequencing) and analysis
• Epitope mapping using established tools (RBM-MHC, NetMHCpan…)
• Potential for viral sequence analysis, multiparameter flow cytometry, and In-vitro T-cell based assays.
• Training of other team members to implement methodologies and running assays
• Support the Principal Investigator by providing day-to-day supervision to students and staff

The position is available for 2 years in the first instance, and may be extended, dependent on project success, funding, and scientific priorities.Applications are particularly encouraged from underrepresented groups.About youThe post holder will be an enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher, expected to perform high quality robust research under the direction of the principal investigator, Leo Swadling, working closely with collaborator Dr Andreas Mayer. They will also interact closely with the research assistants funded by this grant and PhD and MSc students within the lab. We are seeking highly motivated individual with the ability to generate their own research strategies and pursue them with enthusiasm, 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. It is important that the criteria are clearly numbered and that you provide a response to each one.Informal enquiries about the post are encouraged before applying and can be made to Dr Leo Swadling at: .If you have any queries about the role or application process, technical issues, or need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the staffing team atNote: Appointment at grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, the initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B, with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.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.Available documents

Expected salary

Location

North West London

Job date

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 07:38:30 GMT

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