AddressAbout us
The UCL Division of Medicine is offering a fully funded 36 month PhD studentship within UCL Rheumatology Department to a highly motivated candidate.
The studentship is expected to start Sept 2024.
The Jury lab has wide expertise investigating the immune and metabolic defects underpinning the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In recent years this research has focused on identifying patient subgroups using in depth molecular and clinical characterisation and machine learning analysis to stratify patients for optimal therapeutic approaches.
This PhD studentship will form part of a new multidisciplinary team investigating the pathogenesis of hyperinflammation in patients with the very rare condition Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
HLH is a multisystem syndrome of severe hyperinflammation characterised by cytokine storms and immune cell proliferation and activation, leading to multi-organ failure and death (mortality of ~50- 80%). Secondary HLH (sHLH) is poorly understood and whilst initial drivers include malignancies, rheumatological conditions, infection and pregnancy, all patients experience a similar disease course. We do not understand why some people mount an exaggerated and harmful immune response to these diverse stimuli and others do not.
This PhD studentship offers a unique opportunity to investigate the pathogenesis of sHLH. The Jury lab now hosts the first UK HLH biobank as part of a new MRC-funded rare disease node (HistioNode) lead by Newcastle university.
About the role
The PhD Student will be based in the Rayne Building within the Centre for Rheumatology Research.
The successful candidate will use immunological and multiple 'omics (multi-omics) approaches to investigate the early immune events associated with sHLH in biological samples taken at daily intervals from patients with HLH who are hospitalised, usually in intensive care. We are particularly interested in changes in serum proteins and lipids and how these influence immune responses during the course of the disease. This information will be used to develop a mechanistic model to improve our understanding of hyperinflammatory responses and identify hyperinflammation phenotypes and heterogeneity for improved understanding of this aberrant immune response.
The project will be performed in close collaboration with Clinician Scientists (led by Dr Jessica Manson and Dr Ben Carpenter) who will also provide expert insight into disease etiology and detailed clinical information. The successful candidate will form part of a wider team comprising Senior Research Fellows, Research Technician and PhD student.
For more details, a job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
General enquiries regarding the post can be made to Professor Liz Jury (e.jury@ucl.ac.uk).
How to Apply:
Please do not click the 'Apply Now' button next to the advert.
To apply, please send a current CV including the contact details of two professional referees as well as a 1-sided A4 cover letter to Professor Liz Jury (e.jury@ucl.ac.uk).
Closing deadline for applications: 31st March at 23:59. Interview date to be confirmed.
Applications that are submitted without following the correct application process will not be considered.
About you
The studentship is suitable for someone who has recently completed a Masters’ degree, with experience in human immunology or a relevant biomedical science subject and knowledge of big data analysis. The candidate should have some experience of working in a research laboratory and with human biological samples and be enthusiastic to learn about hyperinflammation. The successful candidate will have excellent writing and data presentation skills.
What we offer
The studentship provides an annual stipend of £20,622 and covers UK Home fees which are available for UK citizens or those who have settled status in the UK.
You can contact the UCL Graduate Admissions Office for advice should you be unsure whether or not you meet the eligibility criteria for Home fee status. Further information on Brexit and the definitions for fee status assessment can be found on the UCL Student fee status page and also the UKCISA website (Higher Education: Definitions for fee status assessment).
