PhD Studentship: Breaching the barrier: enterovirus and parechovirus antagonism of mucosal innate immunity and near-patient diagnostics for neonatal disease

PhD Studentship: Breaching the barrier: enterovirus and parechovirus antagonism of mucosal innate immunity and near-patient diagnostics for neonatal disease

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year PhD in the virology group led by Dr David J Allen at the University of Surrey.

Enteroviruses and parechoviruses are the leading cause of viral meningitis in infants and neonates, with outcomes ranging from mild illness to fatal disease. However, the virus-host interactions underlying this variation remain poorly understood. This project will address this gap and develop a rapid diagnostic test to improve clinical management.

These viruses enter via the gut or respiratory tract, yet early mucosal interactions are unclear. This project will test whether viruses linked to severe disease, such as echovirus 11, echovirus 30 and enterovirus D68, more effectively suppress frontline antiviral defences compared to other strains. You will use a range of model systems, from intestinal epithelial cell lines to human gut organoids and primary airway epithelial cultures, to map innate immune responses and identify viral factors responsible for immune evasion.

In parallel, you will develop a rapid RT-LAMP diagnostic test to detect these viruses from stool and throat swabs without specialised laboratory infrastructure. This near-patient test could support faster bedside decisions, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and potentially avoid invasive procedures such as lumbar puncture.

This interdisciplinary project spans molecular virology, innate immunology, clinical microbiology and diagnostics. You will gain experience in virus culture, immune assays, primary cell and organoid models, and diagnostic assay development, providing excellent training for an ambitious graduate.

Supervisors: Dr David J Allen and Dr Lindsay Broadbent

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in October 2026. Later start dates may be possible, please contact Dr David J Allen once the deadline passes.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree (first or upper second) in a relevant degree. A masters’ degree in a relevant discipline is desirable. Experience in virology and/or innate immunity will be advantageous, but not essential.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Biosciences and Medicine PhD programme page.

In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

Please clearly state the studentship reference number (STU00001655), title and supervisor on your application.

Funding

Fully funded studentship including stipend aligned with UKRI (£21,805 per annum for 2026/27, with annual uplifts applied), home-student fees and project costs.

Application deadline

12 July 2026

Enquiries

Contact Dr David J Allen

Ref

PGR-2526-097

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