Marie Sklodowska Curie Early Stage Research Fellow (PhD Study), the development and analysis of eng

The European Network on Anti-Cancer Immuno-Therapy Improvement by modification of CAR and TCR Interactions and Nanoscale Geometry (EN-ACTI2NG), formed by 12 academic, clinical and industrial institutions from Spain, Austria, Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom offers multidisciplinary training for 10 early stage researchers in the development and analysis of engineered tumor-specific immune receptors.

This network, funded by the H2020 Marie Sklodowska Curie Action program, emanates from recent clinical evidence that T cells expressing engineered tumor-specific immune receptors can eradicate tumors that do not respond to conventional treatment.

The Faculty of Health Sciences therefore invites applications for a full time Marie Sklodowska Curie Early Stage Research Fellowship aimed at improving tumor-specific immune receptor function. Based at the University of Bristol, the project details are as below:

ESR9: Selection of CD8 co‐receptor variants for optimization of TCR gene therapy
PI: Linda Wooldridge, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, UK

TCRs of CD8 T cells recognize foreign peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I (pMHCI) molecules. Recognition is enhanced by simultaneous binding of the CD8 co-receptor. In the context of anti-cancer immunotherapy, a common problem is that anti‐cancer TCRs are often characterized by weak affinities. This might be overcome by co‐expressing such TCRs with a high affinity variant of the CD8 co‐receptor to enhance the cancer-specific T‐cell response. Our data suggests that the optimal pMHCI/CD8 interaction strength varies between different anti‐cancer TCRs. As such, we will identify the optimal high affinity CD8 pairing for TCRs specific for common tumour antigens.

This individual project will benefit from the complementary expertise provided by the other consortium members, facilitated by project-specific secondments at the participating institutions. Research-based training will be complemented with extensive training in career development and communication and dissemination methods.

Requirements

Please see the EN-ACTI2NG website for full details: http://www.enacti2ng-itn.eu/

You should:
- be in possession of/finishing a program leading to a degree (usually a Masters Degree) in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, (Bio-)Physics, Engineering, Medical Sciences.
- have less than 4 years full-time equivalent research experience and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
- be compliant with the mobility rule therefore at the time of recruitment you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the hiring date.

Application procedure

Please do not apply via our website, visit see the EN-ACTI2NG website for full application details: http://www.enacti2ng-itn.eu/. 

Start date: summer/autumn 2017 but never later than January 1st, 2018.

For informal enquiries contact Professor Linda Wooldridge by email at Linda.Wooldridge@bristol.ac.uk.

The University is committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive culture.  We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities.