Explore the targeted deposition of adjuvants in tumour tissue as a novel strategy to promote the effector function of tumour infiltrating cytotoxic effector cells

Position: PhD Student
Division: Biotherapeutics
Location: South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
Reference number: NB314
Grade and salary range: PhD Student - £18,500 annual stipend
Contract type: 3 year fixed term contract


The Organisation:
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The agency is made up of circa 1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

A centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) is a global leader in the characterisation, standardisation and control of biological medicines. NIBSC plays a major role in assuring the quality of biological medicines worldwide through the provision of biological reference materials, by testing products and carrying out research.

Purpose of role:
The Biotherapeutics Group within NIBSC is responsible for the standardisation and product evaluation of a diverse range of biological products such as immunoglobulins, monoclonal antibodies, hormones and clotting factors. It also conducts underpinning research activities in these and other areas.

A three year PhD studentship is available in collaboration with the Division of Cancer Studies at King’s College London. Recent clinical advances in tumour immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint blockade have proven that the ability of the immune system to eradicate tumours can be harnessed in the clinical setting and have reignited an interest in immunotherapeutic approaches. While immune checkpoint blockade with drugs such as ipilimumab is effective in unleashing the cytotoxic effector functions of tumour-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, many patients experience adverse events. Thus, there is a need for alternative strategies. The aim of the proposed study is to explore the targeted deposition of adjuvants in tumour tissue as a novel strategy to promote the effector function of tumour infiltrating cytotoxic effector cells. The student will generate modified recombinant antibodies that target the tumour tissue with the aim to induce local inflammation promoting an anti-tumour immune response and will study this form of therapy in mouse tumour models. The successful candidate will receive training in a variety of techniques including molecular biology (cloning, protein expression and protein purification), cellular biology (flow cytometry and ELISA) and in vivo experimentation (mouse models). An interest in tumour immunology is essential and laboratory experience in one or more of the key interest areas would be an advantage.

The project is a collaboration between the Immunotoxicology Laboratory at NIBSC and the Tumour Immunology Group at King’s College London. While the PhD student will be mainly based at NIBSC, he or she will be fully embedded in the PhD Programme at King’s College London. King’s College London represents an international Centre of Excellence not only for Cancer Studies, but also for Immunology, Infection and Inflammatory Diseases hereby providing the ideal academic background for the proposed studentship.

Key responsibilities:
• To undertake the research projects in line with the project aims
• To communicate effectively, orally and through written media, undertake presentations at scientific meetings and maintain excellent records.
• To interact regularly and effectively with your supervisors and interact appropriately and effectively with other staff.
• To meet the expectations of the study for a PhD by the awarding body (University).

How to apply:
Please submit a CV and a covering letter detailing what you can bring to the post and what you would anticipate achieving from the studentship by emailing [Email Address Removed]. This studentship is expected to start on 1st October 2016.

You must have or expect to obtain a 1 or 2.1 class qualification in an appropriate life science degree.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from suitably qualified people regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, politics or disability. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency commits itself to the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS). This means that it guarantees to interview all disabled candidates (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995), who satisfy the minimum essential criteria for the advertised post. If a candidate wishes to apply for consideration under this scheme, please include this in your covering letter.

Due to the volume of applications we expect to receive we will only contact successful candidates. If you have not heard back in the next 28 days please assume you have been unsuccessful.

Please note funding is available for UK and European Economic Area (EEA) nationals only.