Applications are invited for a 3.5-year PhD opportunity to investigate cross-species poxvirus infection and adaptation. The recent emergence and global spread of monkeypox virus reveals that these viruses have the capacity to cross species barrier from rodent reservoirs and establish successful chains of transmission in humans. The host factors that modulate the transmission and adaptation of zoonotic orthopoxviruses into humans remain poorly established. This project aims to study this question project using a combination of traditional biochemical and cellular assays to study virus infection, protein-protein interactions, and innate immunity, together with state-of-the-art transcriptomics, proteomics and imaging. The project will be developed within the molecular virology group led by Dr Carlos Maluquer de Motes at the University of Surrey (United Kingdom) in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). In recent years, the group has identified antiviral sensing mechanisms that activate immune responses and how these are modulated by orthopoxviruses. For a flavour of what we do, please see references below. We are now seeking to appoint a motivated individual interested in the interface between innate immunity and virus infection. This is a great opportunity to develop and train as a virologist and answer some of the most challenging questions in virology.
For informal queries and discussions about the project please email the principal supervisor Dr Carlos Maluquer de Motes [Email Address Removed].
References
Holley et al. (2021). Journal of Virology, 95:e01012-21
Maluquer de Motes, C (2021) PLOS Pathogens, 17:e1009372. PMID 33735254.
Hernaez et al. (2020) Science Advances, 6:eabb4565. PMID 32948585.
Georgana et al. (2020) Frontiers in Immunology, 10:3121. PMID 32038638.
Odon et al. (2018) Journal of Virology, 92:e01374-18. PMID 30258003.
More information on the School of Biosciences and Medicine and Dstl
Entry requirements
Open to UK national only, with the project starting in October 2023.
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/biosciences-and-medicine-phd#entry.
Experience in virology and/or innate immunity will be advantageous, but not essential.
How to apply
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant principal supervisor(s) to discuss the project(s) before submitting their application.
Applications should be submitted via the https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/biosciences-and-medicine-phd programme page (N.B. Please select the October 2023 start date when applying).
You may opt to apply for a single project or for 2 of these Pathogens and Host Defences Doctoral Training Partnership studentship projects
When completing your application, in place of a research proposal, please provide a brief motivational document (1 page maximum) which specifies:
- the reference numbers(s) for the project or two projects you are applying for,
- the project title(s) and principal supervisor name(s)
- if apply for two projects, please also indicate your order of preference for the projects
- an explanation of your motivations for wanting to study for a PhD
- an explanation of your reasons for selecting the project(s) you have chosen
Additionally, to complete a full application, you MUST also email a copy of your CV and 1-page motivational document directly to the relevant project principal supervisor of each project you apply for. Due to short turnaround times for applicant shortlisting, failure to do this may mean that your application is not considered.
Please note that online interviews for shortlisted applicants are expected to take place during the week commencing 30th January.
Project ref number FHMS-DTP-03 BIO