Differential TNF receptor signalling in the regulation and resolution of acute inflammation

An opportunity has arisen for a 4-year full-time PhD studentship within the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London. This is a BBSRC-funded Collaborative Training Partnership Studentship to be carried out in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline. The successful applicant will join an established research group led by Professor Masao Takata and Dr. Mike Wilson, within the Section of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine & Intensive Care.

The acute inflammatory response is a vital component of the body’s defence against injury and infection, but a dysregulated response can be hugely damaging, leading to serious and often fatal conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and acute kidney injury.

The inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) plays a major role in modulating inflammation, although clinical attempts to treat acute inflammatory diseases by blocking TNF have met with very limited success, suggesting that there are still major gaps in our understanding. We have previously shown that signalling through TNF receptor 1 promotes injurious responses in models of pulmonary inflammation, through processes including cytokine production, leukocyte recruitment, and apoptosis. In contrast, signalling through TNF receptor 2 seems to have completely the opposite effect, leading to protective responses through mechanisms we do not currently understand.

This project is designed to follow on from this previous work - to study the physiological, immunological and molecular consequences of differential TNF receptor signalling on the induction and resolution of acute inflammation, focusing primarily within the lung.

The position would particularly suit those who have experience in physiology or immunology with interests in pulmonary inflammation. Applicants must meet BBSRC residence criteria, e.g. UK citizen/ EU National ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the studentship (see www.bbsrc.ac.uk/documents/studentship-eligibility-pdf/ for further details). Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a first or upper-second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biological discipline, and potentially a Master’s degree in a relevant field.

The annual stipend will be at the standard rate of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College, currently £17,500/year (tax free). Starting date is anticipated to be 1st October 2017. Applicants should submit their CV and a covering letter, including full contact details of two referees, to Dr. Mike Wilson ([Email Address Removed]). Imperial College PhD entry requirements must be met (see http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/requirements/) and the successful applicant will subsequently need to apply on-line via http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/how-to-apply/.

For further information please contact Dr. Mike Wilson.
Closing date: 10th July 2017. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during the week beginning 24th July.