Research Fellow

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Fixed Term Contract up to November 2029 

Job Summary

The successful candidate will join an internationally recognised Cardiovascular Immunology research team led by Ingrid Dumitru to work on a 3-year project grant funded by the British Heart Foundation investigating mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque instability. The successful candidate will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within this specific research project, which aims to characterise the roles of natural killer (NK) cell receptors expressed by CD4+CD28 null T cells in atherosclerotic plaque instability. They will use multiparameter immunophenotyping, functional T-cell assays, spatial transcriptomics and multiplex proteomics on human coronary atherosclerotic plaque tissues to explore the roles of NK cell receptors in the cytolytic and effector function of CD4+CD28null T cells. This work will provide novel insights into the roles of CD4+CD28null T cells in atherosclerotic plaque instability and reveal novel targets for plaque stabilising therapeutic strategies.

Main Responsibilities

The responsibilities will include:

• Perform experiments using flow cytometry of blood samples from patients to characterise NK cell receptors and functional markers in CD4+CD28null T cells
• Isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4+ T cells; carry out T cell functional assays (e.g. cytolytic function, migration, cytokine production, etc.); test the effect of antagonistic and agonistic antibodies and small molecule inhibitors to modulate NK cell receptors on CD4+CD28null T cells and assess changes in function of this cell subset
• Set up live cell imaging to assess cytolytic function in CD4+CD28null T cells
• Prepare tissue samples for spatial transcriptomics and multiplex immunofluorescence in intact coronary atherosclerotic plaques
• Carry out data analysis of spatial transcriptomics data (including integration of publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from coronary plaques) using computational analysis

Person Specification

• A PhD degree (or near completion) relevant to the research area (immunology or a closely related field e.g. cell biology, biomedical sciences,)
• Strong understanding of disease pathology and cell biology underlying atherosclerosis or other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
• Strong experience in laboratory-based immunology techniques such as sterile human tissue handling and culture, cell-based profiling (by flow cytometry or imaging), molecular biology, tissue staining and imaging
• High level analytical capability: Demonstrated ability to analyse, interpret, present and publish complex biological data in reputable journals
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings

Informal enquiries to Ingrid Dumitriu, email: i.dumitriu@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above. 

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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