PhD Studentship Opportunity in Poxvirus infection: early events and novel diagnostic tools

Applications are invited for a PhD candidate to join the laboratory of Dr Carlos Maluquer de Motes at the University of Surrey (www.maluquerlab.org) to study the biology and replication of poxviruses in collaboration with Dr David Ulaeto’s group at Dstl. The successful candidate will study the early events that take place upon poxvirus entry and will design strategies to exploit these in the generation of novel tools for the detection and quantitation of multiple poxvirus species.

Poxviruses and Asfarviruses are viruses of huge medical and economic importance. Unlike other DNA viruses, they replicate their DNA in the cytosol and carry their own machinery for DNA and mRNA synthesis. Some (e.g. Vaccinia virus) are promiscuous for many species, while others are fastidious and/or slow-growing (e.g. Lumpy skin disease virus). For fastidious viruses, quantitating viable virus is time consuming and sometimes relies upon subjective assessment. This proposal will study the early events that take place during poxvirus infection both from the viral and cellular angle, and exploit this information for the development of novel tools for the detection of pox/asfarviruses.

This is a fundamental project that uses molecular biology, genetics and virology techniques to develop novel sophisticated tools that will read viral infection. The methodology will allow to quantitate slow-growing, fastidious viruses; to isolate viruses that are poorly adapted to grow in culture; and to develop high-throughput in vitro assays of virus activity and clinical samples.

This is a 3.5 year project, commencing on the 1st October 2019.

Entry requirements:
Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second class UK honours degree in an appropriate area (e.g. biomedicine, biochemistry, microbiology…). MSc and/or research experience is desirable.

Candidates must have a passion for scientific research and be willing to face intellectual challenges and wish to learn and develop scientific skills. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team, coupled with excellent communication, organizational and problem solving skills are essential.

How to apply:
Applications can be made through the Biosciences and Medicine PhD course page: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/biosciences-and-medicine-phd

The following documents will need to be provided:
• Scanned copies of signed/stamped qualifications (certificates or transcripts) to show how you meet, or expect to meet, the entry requirements
• Evidence of English language level (if English is not your first language)
• A copy of your passport
• CV/Resume
• A personal statement (including the reasons why you have applied for this studentship and what you hope to achieve by undertaking this Ph.D)
• Contact details of 2 referees