Spatiotemporal dynamics of membrane damage and repair in human macrophages

This 4-year PhD studentship is offered in Dr Maximiliano Gutierrez’s Group based at the Francis Crick Institute (the Crick).

Tuberculosis (TB) still remains an important global challenge in human health. The obstacles that make TB hard to eradicate are intrinsically linked to the intracellular lifestyle of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). To cause disease and disseminate to other hosts, Mtb needs to replicate within human cells. Our ultimate goal is to understand TB pathogenesis at the cellular level, which we believe is critical to design rational interventions.

Research in our group investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the interactions between Mtb and host cells. Our group aims to dissect the host cell factors that contribute to Mtb control as well as the Mtb factors that this pathogen uses to highjack host cells. To this end, we use a variety of cutting-edge imaging approaches and model systems.

The potential PhD project will use genetic and imaging tools combined with single cell and bacteria analysis to investigate the pathogen (Mtb) and the host cell (human macrophage) factors that contribute to membrane damage and repair during infection. The choice of the specific project (e.g. host and/or Mtb factors) will be decided in consultation with the candidate considering interests and background. We expect the student to capitalise on our unique settings to perform high resolution imaging of live Mtb in Biosafety level 3 (BSL3).

Candidate background
We are looking for a PhD student with a strong interest in cell biology, image processing/analysis and imaging to visualise spatiotemporal interactions between bacterial pathogens and host cells.

Talented and motivated students passionate about doing research are invited to apply for this PhD position. The successful applicant will join the Crick PhD Programme in September 2020 and will register for their PhD at one of the Crick partner universities (Imperial College London, King’s College London or UCL).

Applicants should hold or expect to gain a first/upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject and have appropriate research experience as part of, or outside of, a university degree course and/or a Masters degree in a relevant subject.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE ONLINE VIA OUR WEBSITE (ACCESSIBLE VIA THE ‘APPLY NOW’ LINK ABOVE) BY 12:00 (NOON) 18 MARCH 2020. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN ANY OTHER FORMAT.