NIHR HPRFA Vaccines & Immunisation Clinical Research PhD Fellow

The role

We are seeking an exceptional and enthusiastic resident doctor with an interest in a clinical academic career in (paediatric or adult) infectious diseases and immunity to join the Bristol Vaccine Centre (BVC) and undertake a fully-funded clinical PhD fellowship in mucosal immunity. The fellowship is funded by a NIHR-funded Health Protection Research Focus Award (HPRFA) to explore the use of saliva for population surveillance of respiratory pathogens. You will work under supervision and mentorship of experienced mucosal microbiology and immunity investigators (Dr Anu Goenka, Dr Alice Halliday) at the Bristol Vaccine Centre with basic scientists and experienced technical staff as well as experts in Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation (PPIEP) and Research Inclusion and Health Equity (RIHE). You will also work closely with other senior academics at the University of Bristol and at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), including experts in vaccination policy and mathematical modelling of infectious disease.

The overarching aim of our group’s research programme is to develop a deeper understanding of the immunology of infection, and in particular population carriage/immunity to inform the use (and development) of vaccines. Our focus is predominantly respiratory mucosal immunity, and in particular indirect effects of vaccines i.e. the prevention of onward transmission. We employ an array of immunological and microbiological laboratory methodologies, largely using human samples such as blood, saliva and tonsils. Our research group encourages a culture of scientific curiosity and learning, with regular meetings to present and discuss data.

You would be expected to commence the post between August 2026 and September 2027 and will register for a PhD programme. PhD fees and research consumables are funded by the NIHR HPRFA award. For resident doctors in GMC-approved postgraduate training programmes, we will support you in following local processes for securing Out-of-Programme Research (OOPR) approval for a 3-year period from the relevant Training Programme Director, Postgraduate Medical Education Dean, Royal College and GMC.

What will you be doing?

You will:

• Register for a PhD programme and be well-supported in your clinical academic career development
• Help develop and deploy state of the art microbial and immunological assays for use in detecting infections from saliva samples (saliva-surveillance) with technical support
• Develop skills in: clinical sampling methodologies and protocol design, public involvement and research inclusion, microbiology and immunology laboratory skills, data analysis with opportunities to learn mathematical modelling techniques
• Collaborate with other academic partners in the University of Bristol as well as in the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), LSHTM, UWE, University of as part of the NIHR HPRFA programme
• Contribute to preparation of research outputs for dissemination and publication such research papers in peer-reviewed journals, conference posters and presentations.

You should apply if

• You are passionate about translational infectious disease research and are seeking a career as a clinical academic
• You are medically qualified and have research experience
• You have excellent initiative and communication skills

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed-term (Training/Development) for 3 years

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Tuesday 14th April 2026

We plan to hold interviews for this post on Monday 27th April 2026

For informal queries please contact:

Dr Anu Goenka, Consultant Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases via email: 
anu.goenka@bristol.ac.uk

Available documents

• Further Particulars_Faculty of Health & Life Sciences.pdf
• ACAD108520 - NIHR Clinical Research Fellow - Job Description.pdf

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