Investigating the Immune and Inflammatory Response to Traumatic Injury

We are seeking talented, motivated students with a passion for research in the field of immunology and traumatic injury to join the trauma research team lead by Dr Jon Hazeldine (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/inflammation-ageing/hazeldine-jon.aspx). Applicants should have a first or upper second-class degree in a relevant scientific discipline, and who are self-funded or have typically applied for, or secured funding for their studies from their government, employer or associated charitable organisations.

RESEARCH IN THE TRAUMA RESEARCH TEAM

The trauma research team is embedded within the Ageing and Frailty, and Acute Care Research themes, within the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham. We are interested in investigating how the immune system responds to traumatic injury and whether trauma-induced alterations in the immune and inflammatory response can be used to identify patients at risk of such poor clinical outcomes as mortality and the development of secondary complications, which include multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and sepsis.

Broadly speaking we have three main areas of interest:

• How the immune system responds to major traumatic and thermal injury;

• Whether early immune/inflammatory biomarkers can be used to discriminate between patients with good and poor clinical outcomes post-injury;

• Investigating the mechanisms that drive post-trauma immune activation and suppression.

We have ongoing projects examining:

• The acute (<72 hours) and long-term (up to 1-year) impact of traumatic and thermal injury on the immune system.

• The role of damage-associated molecular patterns in mediating trauma-induced alterations in immune function.

• The mechanisms by which trauma and thermal injury promote immune activation and suppression.

We address our research questions using such experimental approaches as flow cytometry, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISAs, RNA sequencing and DNA methylation analysis in order to help us understand the responses of primary human immune cells (from healthy individuals or patients) to ex vivo challenges. This work is supported by a rodent model of moderate traumatic brain injury.

PhD projects, using these approaches, answering translationally relevant research questions are available to self-funded or scholarship-funded graduates interested in joining the trauma research team.

APPLICATION ROUTES

Self-funded or scholarship-funded graduates interested in joining IVB can select one of 3 different routes for undertaking a PhD in the field of Inflammation and Ageing.

Applicants with research experience and/or Master’s degree should apply directly to the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing for either a 3 or 4 year full-time PhD – https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/research/med/inflammation-ageing.aspx. This route requires applicants to submit a drafted research proposal.

Applicants seeking additional research experience or who have yet to complete a Master’s degree should apply to the 4 year Integrated Doctoral Training Programme in Life Sciences for Health, which combined a MRes and PhD – https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgr/idtp/index.aspx.

Applicants will need to submit the following documentation during the application process.

• Detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;

• Covering letter highlighting your research experience/capabilities and why you wish to undertake a PhD in the team;

• Names and addresses of two referees;

• Copies of your degree certificates with transcripts written in English;

• Evidence of your proficiency in the English language, if applicable.

• Evidence of scholarship application/funding or independent funding.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

University of Birmingham offers pre-sessional English Language courses through the Birmingham International Academy – https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/international/bia/presessional/index.aspx

For additional information on postgraduate studying at University of Birmingham please click - https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate

For additional information on research at the College of Medical and Dental Sciences please click – https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mds/index.aspx

For additional information on research within the Ageing and Frailty and Acute Care Research themes please click - https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/inflammation-ageing/index.aspx