PhD Studentship: Asthma UK funded 4 year Integrated PhD in Biomedical Science - Immunity and Infect

PhD Studentship: Asthma UK funded 4 year Integrated PhD in Biomedical Science – Immunity and Infection pathway

Clinical and Experimental Sciences

Location:  Southampton General Hospital
Closing Date:   Thursday 30 June 2016
Reference:  737416FC

Lead Institute / Faculty: Faculty of Medicine

Main Supervisor: Dr Karl Staples

Duration of the award: 4 years

Project description:

We have the opportunity for a PhD student to join the Pulmonary Immunology Group under the supervision of Dr Karl Staples. This group has a long-standing interest in the immunology of the respiratory tract with a specific focus on how bacterial and viral infections exacerbate underlying chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Viral infections are implicated in up to 75% of exacerbations of underlying asthma symptoms and such infections directly impact on an asthma sufferer’s quality of life by extending the time they are ill due to infection and are also responsible for 50% of the costs of asthma to the NHS (~£1.3 billion). There is currently no effective, licenced therapy that can prevent such exacerbations. The aim of this Asthma UK funded studentship is to provide a better insight into the interaction of lung bacteria with viruses in the lungs of asthmatics, enhancing our knowledge of the underlying processes of infection in asthma and providing an opportunity for the discovery of new targets for rational design of drugs to treat or prevent asthma exacerbations. 

Specifically, the student will investigate if bacterial infection of human airway macrophages will make these cells more susceptible to viral infection and that this susceptibility will be a result of bacteria-induced changes in innate anti-viral pathways. We also think that the bacteria will behave very differently when they are living inside a macrophage than when they are living outside. Because bacteria are usually studied outside of human cell, we believe that by studying this intracellular behaviour we will identify new bacterial mechanisms that could be targeted with new antibiotics or vaccines. To do this we will use a new technology called RNA Sequencing (RNASeq). This technique will allow us to study the responses of the macrophages to bacterial infection, whilst at the same time allow us to look at the genes expressed by the bacteria when they are inside the macrophage.

About Us

The University of Southampton is one of the top 15 research-led universities in the UK.  We are a vibrant and ambitious Faculty with a leading reputation in research, enterprise and education.  In the 2014 REF, 75% of the Faculty's research was rated as either internationally recognised or world class. 94% of our research was deemed 3 or 4* for impact.  With an emphasis on translating new discoveries into healthcare practice, our research covers the spectrum from basic science to clinical innovation.

The Integrated PhD

Our four year Integrated PhD programme reflects some of the major research strengths of the University.

The programme provides broad training in the intellectual and practical basis of scientific research as well as a focused individual research experience. The combination of laboratory rotations and a three year project offers an enhanced student experience to better prepare you for a career in scientific research.

You will receive an intermediate award of MRes after successful completion of the first year.

Immunity and Infection Pathway

Our four year Integrated PhD in Biomedical Science has been designed to produce the next generation of leaders in immunity and infection research, some of the major research strengths of the University of Southampton.

Studying high-quality basic science delivered in a clinically relevant way, will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for a career in academia, health, industry and a range of other related sectors.

Clinical and basic scientists in our Academic Unit work closely together to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of disease, to develop better diagnostic markers and discover more effective therapies for human infectious disease and diseases affecting the lungs, joints, skin, liver, pancreas, gut, and the urogenital tract.  You will become a member of the Pulmonary Immunology group, led by Dr Karl Staples with opportunities to interact with biologists, clinicians, bioinformaticians and physical scientists through the highly collaborative life sciences interface at the University of Southampton.

In year 1 you will undertake three laboratory rotation projects within the Clinical and Experimental Sciences Academic Unit that will provide the grounding for your future studies. These laboratory rotations are supplemented with taught specialist modules in research skills including statistical methods and quantitative cell biology, which includes a hands-on introduction to bioinformatics techniques and computational modelling, using large clinically-relevant datasets. Successful completion of year 1 is marked with the award of MRes.

Years 2-4 comprise the in-depth research project described above, which will draw upon all the experience gained in year 1.

Please contact:  Dr Karl Staples (K.Staples@soton.ac.uk).

Person Specification: see below

The successful candidate is likely to have the following qualifications:

• A 1^stor 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline and/or second degree with a related Masters

Funding information:

Asthma UK has invested over £50 million on asthma research and wants to ensure that it continues to use its available funds to best effect. By investing in young scientists, Asthma UK aims to enhance and develop the current network of asthma researchers, enabling greater opportunities to learn and share expertise.

Subject to eligibility, the studentship will be paid at a minimum rate of the standard UK Research Council recommended maintenance stipend (£14,296 in 2016/2017) plus UK fees.

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Please complete the University's online application form, which you can find at

https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Login?pos=4394&majr=4396&term=201617#_ga=1.64386735.1658067525.1460548452

You should enter Dr Karl Staples as your proposed supervisor. To support your application provide an academic CV (including contact details of two referees), official academic transcripts and a personal statement (outlining your suitability for the studentship, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date).

Informal enquiries relating to the project or candidate suitability should be directed to Dr Karl Staples (K.Staples@soton.ac.uk).

Closing date: 30^th June 2016

Interview date: 20^th July 2016

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification