Research Associate

About the role

This post-doctoral position is funded by a LEO Foundation research grant held jointly by Prof Timothy Vyse (PI), Dr Deborah Cunninghame Graham (co-PI) and Dr Thomas Tull (co-PI).  The post-holder will work in a multi-disciplinary group based in the Departments of Medical and Molecular Genetics and Dermatology.

Discoid lupus (DLE) is an autoimmune skin of unknown aetiology, characterised by persisting inflamed, debilitating skin lesions. These lesions contain clusters of T and B lymphocytes, which may assemble into tertiary lymphoid aggregates (TLA). The factors driving skin homing, residence and the maintenance of TLAs are largely unknown.  Co-stimulatory molecules, such as OX40 and OX40L, expressed on activated T and B cells respectively, mediate the immune response in systemic lupus. Given the overlap of DLE with systemic disease, we propose that these co-stimulatory signals mediate persistence of skin lesions.

The post-doc will be expected to use multi-parameter flow cytometry and/or immunofluorescence microscopy to identify the lymphocyte subsets in DLE lesions, distinguish potential skin homing molecules on their cell surface and characterise the immune environment bathing the TLAs.  The successful applicant will ascertain whether co-stimulatory molecule gene expression is enriched in TLAs and determine the immune co-factors driving it.  The post-holder will work extensively with paraffin embedded skin biopsy samples as well as in vitro co-culture systems and a 3D organoid model of skin disease to assay the co-stimulatory potential of TLA-like immune cells, identify the immune co-factors maximising co-stimulation and their influence on the effectiveness of costimulatory blockade by monoclonal antibodies.  The post-doc will work in a multi-disciplinary environment, alongside data analysts in a group including PhD students as well as master’s and undergraduate students undertaking research projects.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week) and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 2 years.

About You

Essential criteria

• PhD in Immunology, Cell biology or related subject *
• Proven expertise in designing multi-parameter flow cytometry and / or immunofluorescence microscopy panels and their data interpretation
• Experience of sectioning and staining paraffin embedded tissue samples
• Strong experience in cell culture including the design optimisation of a range of functional read outs such as cell proliferation and differentiation and cytokine levels
• Experience with in vitro small molecule assays
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with a high degree of self-motivation and initiative and ability to work independently and collaborate within teams to meet project deadlines.

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity in working with or developing organoids
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment, exhibiting strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with wide range of persons of differing level, abilities and knowledge
• Experience of working in autoimmune disease environment
• Demonstrate flexible thinking, the ability to develop novel analytic or experimental systems and research strategies

*  Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate, and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

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