PhD Studentship in Infection and Immunity - Targeting Complement to Treat Fatty Liver Disease

Frequently found in people with obesity and diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) is rapidly becoming a major public health concern: affecting ~25% of the world population, including up to 30% of the UK population. The disease is characterised by an increased build-up of fat in the liver that may progress to inflammation, liver cancer, and liver failure. Despite its soaring healthcare cost (estimated £7,804 annual cost per NAFLD patient care), there is currently no approved treatment for NAFLD, the leading cause of liver transplantation. Responding to this challenge, our long-term goal is to find an effective way to treat the disease. On the basis of our striking discoveries, this project aims to understand how complement system controls the onset and progression of NAFLD, and how to develop novel therapeutics to treat the disease.

By leading in the Wales on metabolic inflammation research, we are publishing in highest tier journals (IF > 20) such as Journal of Hepatology, Cancer Cell, Science Advance, Diabetes care and so on. Our finding have been highlighted in the Faculty of 1000, the Daily Express, the New York Times and the Cardiff Star etc. This study will be of similar impact and presented internationally with influence over multiple fields including hepatology, inflammation and clinical science. 

We (https://yz-lab.org/) are a growing team with generous support from the Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, Cancer Research UK and Versus Arthritis UK.  We are made up of researchers with diverse backgrounds including Medicine, Biochemistry, In vivo science, Computer Science and Statistics. The successful candidate thus will be trained in a vibrate interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary environment. She/he will gain cutting edge skills in systems biology (spatial/RNA sequencing etc) and experimental skills in inflammation and immunity (such as cellular and molecular techniques, immunological assays, animal experiments). Particularly, s/he will develop a unique translational skillset under supervision by internationally recognised experts in Systems biology, Immunity (TH) and Liver physiology (TP). S/he will also have the opportunity to develop her/his bespoke networks with our academic (University of Cambridge, Karolinska Institutet) and industrial collaborators (AstraZeneca, GSK).

For more details please contact Dr Zhou ([Email Address Removed]). 

Entry Requirements  

Applicants should possess a minimum of an upper second class Honours degree, master's degree, or equivalent in a relevant subject. 

Applicants whose first language is not English are normally expected to meet the minimum University requirements (e.g. 6.5 IELTS). 

How to Apply  

This studentship has a start date of October 2022. In order to be considered you must submit a formal application via Cardiff University’s online application service.

There is a box at the top right of the page labelled ‘Apply’, please ensure you select the correct ‘Qualification’ (Doctor of Philosophy), the correct ‘Mode of Study’ (Full Time) and the correct ‘Start Date’ (October 2022). This will take you to the application portal. 

In order to be considered candidates must submit the following information: 

 • Supporting statement 

• CV 

• Qualification certificates 

• References x 2 

• Proof of English language (if applicable) 

International applicants are welcomed if the difference in fees can be covered.