Research Fellow Cancer Sciences

Location: Southampton General Hospital

Salary:  £29,301

Full Time, Fixed Term (12 months)

Closing Date:  Monday 03 April 2017

Interview Date:  To be confirmed

Reference: 853817CM

Induction of protective anti-tumour T cell responses through modulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum AminoPeptidase 1 activity

Applications are invited for an enthusiastic Research fellow to join Dr. Edd James’ research group to lead an exciting project funded by Cancer Research UK in the Somers Cancer Research Building at the Southampton General Hospital. The project aims to investigate how modulation of antigen presentation can be used to induce protective anti-tumour responses.

About us

The University of Southampton (UoS) is a world leading Research University and Russell group member with 97% of its research work assessed as world leading and internationally excellent in the REF 2014 assessment. UoS is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (QS world university rankings 2014-15) and in the top 15 of research led universities in the UK. We have an international reputation for research, teaching and enterprise activities, which impact on government policy making, health issues, and on business.

Project description

The ability to detect and respond to pathogens and cancer is a fundamental aspect of the immune system. A major aspect of this response involves the activation of cytotoxic T cells (CTL) through presentation of pathogen/tumour derived antigens at the cell surface in a process involving the antigen processing pathway. Within this pathway several proteins function in concert to generate peptide antigens which are presented at the cell surface complexed with MHC class I molecules.

The research study aims to investigate the ability to modulate antigen processing within tumour cells to allow their recognition and destruction by CTL. This will involve characterising how modulation of aminopeptidase function within tumour cells alters peptide presentation, activation of CTL and tumour clearance in vivo. This project will utilise pre-clinical models of cancer as well as in vitro biochemical assays to investigate the effect of altered aminopeptidase activity on the presented peptide repertoire. The outcomes of this research will inform us of crucial mechanisms by which tumour peptide presentation may be modulated to induce protect anti-tumour T cell responses in humans.

The position will be for 12 months in the first instance, however, funding is available for a further 12 months subject to satisfactory progress with the project, which we expect to be achieved.

Entry Requirements:  Candidates must have a PhD (or equivalent professional qualification) in Immunology and experience of pre-clinical models of cancer. Knowledge of T cell immunology is essential.

Enquiries:  Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Edd James (eddjames@soton.ac.uk).

Interviews: Interviews will take place a week after the closing date. Please prepare a short 10 minute presentation for this purpose.

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed application form online at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. References are requested along with your application, so please allow time for these to be received prior to the close date, to assist the department with shortlisting. If you need any assistance, please call Jennifer Dickson (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 3462. Please quote vacancy reference number 853817CM on all correspondence.