BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience DLA Programme: Harnessing JAK-STAT signalling for optimal innate immune cell function

About the BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP):

The YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the Yorkshire and Teesside region. The YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you'll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers.

https://www.yorkshirebiosciencedtp.ac.uk

Project Description:

The highly evolutionary-conserved JAK-STAT pathway integrates complex signals to influence diverse processes fundamental to life. These include embryonic and cellular development, cellular proliferation and migration, inflammation, immunity and cancer. Optimal immune cell numbers and function are essential for health, but the molecular details of how JAK-STAT pathway activity contributes to this are incompletely understood. This project capitalises on our recent discovery that loss of stat2 signalling in zebrafish is associated with neutropenia, a phenotype also reported in human STAT2 deficiency. Migration of zebrafish innate immune cells to sterile wounds and mycobacteria is also impaired. 

We will use a range of in vivo and in vitro models to: 

1. Evaluate systems level effects of deficient and enhanced JAK-STAT signalling by genome-wide transcriptomic profiling. 

2. Address the molecular mechanisms by which deficient stat2 (JAK-STAT) signalling impacts neutrophil and macrophage development and fate. 

3. Determine the molecular mechanisms by which stat2 (JAK-STAT) deficiency causes aberrant innate immune cell trafficking and/or functional responses to wounding and pathogens. 

This project integrates evaluation of human immune responses in macrophages and neutrophils in vitro, with genetic manipulation of zebrafish wound and infection models and quantitative state-of-the-art imaging of transgenics with fluorescent immune cells or reporter genes, for unparalleled in-depth assessment of host innate immunity in vivo. Validation of observations from human and/or zebrafish models in Drosophila will further confirm the fundamental importance of JAK-STAT pathway biology in control of innate immune cell fate and function. RNA sequencing of samples deficient for JAK-STAT pathway genes and controls will provide systems level mechanistic insights into observed differences. 

This work will provide new knowledge on the potential to develop novel therapies which target the JAK- STAT pathway, to harness the immune system for host-directed therapy to combat antimicrobial resistance, prevent tissue damage in infectious and auto-immune conditions and fight cancer. 

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Gillian Tomlinson ([Email Address Removed])

Link to website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/people/academic/clinical-medicine/gillian-tomlinson

Eligibility:

Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.

You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions. International students should check if they meet the entry requirements for the host university.

We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a very limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme. 

The YBDTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.

Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.

English language: If English isn't your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. Please see the English language requirements for the host university.

How to apply:

Application deadline: 5pm (UK time), Wednesday 7th January 2026

To submit your application, click on the link to the Expression of Interest form (also found in the Funding Notes section) of any of your chosen projects. You can apply for up to two YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).

If you have any questions about the application process, please email [Email Address Removed]

If you have any questions about the project you are interested in, please email the project supervisor.

How we allocate:

Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2025. You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.

Terms and conditions:

The studentships are fully funded for four years, and you must complete your PhD in four years.

You'll receive the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular installments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax free and does not need to be paid back.

International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and travel to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.