ERC PhD Studentship: Dissecting the Body-wide Spatio-temporal Organisation of Human Resident T Helper Cells

The department of Pathology has an excellent reputation in pure biological and biomedical research and is offering a fully funded PhD studentship from October 2026 to work with Prof. Christina Zielinski, one of the Research Group Leaders in this large and vibrant Department. The project will be funded with support from an ERC CoG and the LEO Foundation to undertake a research project investigating the of the human tissue resident T cell fate (Trm) in settings of infections. The overall mission of this project is to pioneer new strategies for tissue-specific immunotherapies. 

Funding of this studentship will cover the student's stipend at the current Research council rate and Home University Fees. The studentship will be funded for 4 years from October 2026. 

Further information about the course can be found here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpapdpth

More about the project:

Project Title: Dissecting the body-wide spatio-temporal organisation of human resident T helper cells 

We are a new research group at the University of Cambridge with a long-standing passion for the human immune system. Investigating tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells in humans is crucial because these cells provide rapid, localized immune protection directly at barrier tissues such as the skin, lungs, and gut. Unlike circulating memory T cells, TRM cells remain stationed at sites of prior infection, where they can respond immediately to reinfection and shape early immune control. It is, however, still not clear how TRM cells are generated in humans. Where does our immunological memory for specific pathogens lodge within our body and what determines its site-specific durability or cross-talk with other tissues? 

Understanding the development, maintenance, and functional diversity of TRM in humans can inform the design of more effective vaccines and immunotherapies that aim to establish durable, tissue-specific immunity. Using globally unique patient cohorts, transformative technologies and computational analyses, this project aims to crack the code of system-wide immune protection.

How to Apply: 

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees. Additionally, the Department requires that by the time of interview all potential students must have fulfilled the language requirements for admission: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blpapdpth/requirements

All applications should be made online via the University's Applicant Portal (via the above 'Apply' button) for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22)

A completed application must be submitted by the closing date below. An application is only complete when all supporting documents, including the 2 academic references, are submitted.

It is the applicants responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date. The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK HOME FEES ONLY. 

Please check for eligibility details using this website: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/fees/what-my-fee-status

Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Applications from ineligible candidates will not be considered.

Please quote reference PK48921 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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