Post-Doctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral Research Associate position
Closing Date: 20th May 2013 at 5pm GMT
A Post-doctoral Research Associate position is available in the group of Dr Matthew Taylor within the Institute of Immunology and Infection Research at the University of Edinburgh.
Our group is interested in defining the mechanisms of immune suppression commonly observed during chronic helminth infections, with a particular focus on T cell regulation. We have recently discovered a novel form of Th2 cell-intrinsic hypo-responsiveness whereby parasite specific Th2 cells become functionally anergic, similar to adaptive tolerance or exhaustion, resulting in increased susceptibility to helminth infection (van der Werf et al. PLoS Pathog. 9:e1003215).
You will employ murine models of helminth infection to identify the mechanisms of Th2 cell-intrinsic hypo-responsiveness, with particular attention on the PD-1/PD-L2 pathway. You will also investigate its impact on vaccination and Th2 cell memory, and how it may be therapeutically reversed or induced. You will use a combination of T cell purifications, immune reconstitutions and bone marrow chimaera’s to track changes in Th2 cell fate during infection and/or vaccination, and to restrict gene deficiencies to specific immune cell populations.
You will have (or shortly obtain) a PhD in Immunology or a closely related discipline, and have expertise in cellular immunology techniques, both in vivo and in vitro. You will be highly motivated, an effective communicator, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience of helminth infection models and gene array analysis are desirable.
For informal enquiries please email: Matthew.Taylor@ed.ac.uk.
Formal applications must be made through The University of Edinburgh Recruitment website. Reference: 013402
Salary: UE07 £30,424 - £36,298 per annum
This position is funded through a 3-year MRC Research Grant.
Alternatively, if you are interested in my research then writing a fellowship is another approach. Please contact me if you would like to discuss ideas.