Post-Doctoral Research Assistant

John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford

The laboratory of Prof. Simon Davis and Dr. Mafalda Santos at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), University of Oxford, is seeking a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an MRC-funded project investigating how immune checkpoint receptors regulate T-cell activation and function. 

Project Overview 

This project focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which co-inhibitory receptors, including PD-1, BTLA, TIGIT, and CD200R, regulate T cell function in autoimmune settings. Despite sharing common downstream signalling components such as SHP1 and SHP2 phosphatases, these receptors exhibit strikingly different signalling capacities in disease settings. While these receptors are well known for their roles in cancer and infection, their involvement in preventing immune-mediated pathology in autoimmunity remains poorly understood. 

Using genetic and antibody-based targeting, we aim to dissect how these pathways modulate T-cell signalling, activation, and effector functions in preclinical models of autoimmunity. This research is part of a broader effort to define how inhibitory receptors tune T-cell responses in health and disease, ultimately informing the development of more precise immunotherapies. 

The successful candidate will:

• Design and carry out in vivo experiments in preclinical mouse models of autoimmunity
• Perform detailed T-cell phenotyping and functional assays
• Conduct mechanistic studies using molecular and cellular immunology techniques
• Contribute to data analysis, presentation, and publication of research findings
• Collaborate closely with internal and external researchers, including opportunities for co-supervision of students

Lab Environment

The T-cell Biology Group is part of the MRC WIMM, a leading biomedical research institute embedded within the Radcliffe Department of Medicine. We are situated in a highly interdisciplinary environment with outstanding facilities for mouse work, flow cytometry, genomics, and molecular biology. We maintain close collaborations with immunologists, structural biologists, and clinicians. 

Essential Qualifications and Skills

We are seeking a creative immunologist with a strong interest in T cell biology and immune regulation. The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD (or be close to completion) in immunology or a related biomedical field
• Demonstrable expertise in in vivo mouse models of immune function (e.g. infection, tumour, autoimmunity, or tolerance)
• Strong experience with primary T cell isolation, stimulation, and functional assays
• Proficiency in multi-colour flow cytometry and data analysis
• A good understanding of T cell receptor signalling and/or immune checkpoint pathways
• Experience with molecular techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 editing, retroviral transduction, or transcriptomics

Further Information 

This is a full-time post based at the WIMM, University of Oxford and fixed-term for 1 year in the first instance. 

Informal enquiries are welcome and can be directed to Prof. Simon Davis at simon.davis@imm.ox.ac.uk and Dr. Mafalda Santos at mafalda.santos@rdm.ox.ac.uk.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. 

Only applications received before 12:00 midday on 08 July 2025 will be considered.

Contact Person: Senior HR Officer

Closing Date & Time: 08-Jul-2025 12:00

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