Job description

We are looking for a skilled and highly motivated post-doctoral researcher with an excellent knowledge of human immunology to join the Autoimmunity and Immune Regulation Team led by Professor Tim Tree. The team aims to understand how imbalances in the immune system lead to a range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and investigate the potential for clinical intervention by immunotherapy to slow or cure disease.

The post-holder will characterise samples from a recently completed Phase II clinical trial which aims to find a new treatment for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The project will utilise a wide range of cellular immunology techniques to investigate the effect of low dose IL-2 on key effectors and regulators of the neuro-inflammatory process. In particular, the project will focus on deep phenotypic and functional characterisation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and establish their relationship with treatment responses and disease activity. This project forms part of a wider collaborative programme of research to improve our understanding of this devastating disease and improve future trials in ALS (https://www.mirocals.eu/en/). The post holder will benefit from joining a wider team of researchers investigating basic Treg biology and Treg focused immunotherapies in other disease settings.

Laboratory work will include cutting edge analysis techniques, such as high dimensional flow cytometry (>30 parameters using CyTek Aurora) and single-cell transcriptional profiling (using 10x Genomics), so experience of analysing complex single-cell data, as well as a strong background in cellular immunology, would be advantageous. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and enjoy the challenge of learning and developing new assays and analysis techniques.

The post is based at Guy’s hospital and will give access to cutting edge core facilities (Flow Cytometry, Genomics and Bioinformatics). Overall, it represents a unique opportunity for an ambitious scientist to develop a research career in translational immunology.   

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 2 years

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

• Perform a range of immune assays using clinical samples 
• Process clinical samples from individuals taking part in clinical studies and trials 
• Assume responsibility for reporting/analysing and storing assay results
• Prepare and writing research reports and publications 
• Provide technical and practical help to more junior members of the laboratory 
• To provide supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students  
• Assist with the day-to-day running of the laboratory
• To conduct all research in accordance with GCLP guidelines

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge and experience 

Essential criteria

1. Holding (or expecting to soon gain) a PhD in Immunology or related biological science
2. An excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of the human immune system
3. Extensive experience of immunology-focused laboratory assays
4. Extensive experience of flow cytometry
5. Effective time management, organisational and problem-solving skills
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills
7. Ability to work irregular hours in accordance with the needs of the role

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of analysing complex single-cell data sets
2. Programming skills (e.g. R, Python)
3. Experience of working with clinical trial samples under GCLP guidelines

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.