Postdoctoral Research Scientist
The post-holder will be a pivotal member of the Mucosal Immunology group and will support activities funded by the Institute Strategic Grants awarded by the BBSRC, the Gates foundation, the Medical Research Council and ICRAD.
We have established a robust swine influenza and cochallenge model, which enables us to study immunity to and transmission of influenza viruses. As both pigs and humans are infected with influenza viruses of similar subtype and have similar distribution of sialic acid receptors, the pig is an excellent model for investigating swine and human disease. The aim of this programme of work is to determine the mechanisms of cross- protective immunity and define factors that contribute to transmission, evolution and adaptation of influenza viruses. The project will require a scientist with training in a wide range of immunological and virological techniques such as FACS analysis, ELISPOT, microneutralisation, virus propagation and plaque assays. The successful candidate will also use molecular approaches to isolate influenza antibodies from immune pigs and test their function in vitro and in vivo.
More recently we have developed a porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) model which exhibits similar pathology to human SARS-CoV-2 and have established different PRCV strains which induce a spectrum of disease outcomes. These two large animal natural host infectious models will provide important insights into immunity against respiratory infections for improvement of animal and human health. This represents an exciting opportunity to be part of a One Health research project and is suitable for virologists and/or immunologists with a keen interest in translational research for human and animal health. The post-holder will report to the Mucosal Immunology Group Leader and will be expected to contribute to the training and supervision of students directly engaged in this project or other projects within the Group.
Main duties and responsibility
Responsible for conducting research into immunity and evolution to influenza and coronaviruses
- Analysis of B and T cell responses after influenza or PRCV infection and/or immunisation.
- Isolation, cloning and recombinant expression of influenza or PRCV specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
- Characterisation of the antigen/epitope specificity and functional properties of recombinant neutralising mAbs.
- Evaluation for efficacy of mAb delivery platform in the pig influenza model.
- Analysis of the evolution and transmission of influenza viruses.
- Assist with conducting influenza and PRCV animal studies.
Responsible for working as part of a research team, which will include
- Communicating progress and data, including presentations as internal and external meetings and preparing manuscripts for publication.
- Helping supervise undergraduate, MSc, PhD students and staff.
- Contributing to grant proposal development and writing to support the group’s mission.
- Deputising for the Group Leader in her absence.
- Assist with lab management (ordering, looking after equipment, sample inventories)
- Developing and maintaining documentation associated with the health, safety, and biosecurity of the research to preserve a safe working environment.
- Performing a range of outreach activities.