Dr K Attridge, Prof A Devitt
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Applications are invited from ambitious, self-motivated candidates to undertake a PhD in the field of cancer immunology. The candidate will join the active research groups of Dr Kesley Attridge and Professor Andrew Devitt. This opportunity is open to UK and EU students who have at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree or equivalent in a biological science or a related subject.
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of adult brain malignancy and has an almost universally poor prognosis. This is in part due to tumour-mediated suppression of anti-tumour T cell immune responses. GBM tumours may inhibit T cells through secreted soluble factors or extracellular vesicles, but the key receptor-ligand interactions responsible are not yet known. The overall aim of this project is therefore to identify immunosuppressive mechanisms utilized by GBM tumours, and to target these pathways to restore T cell function.
Using fresh GBM biopsy tissue the student will undertake proteomic studies to identify immunosuppressive candidates and will utilise T cell cultures and flow cytometry to assess T cell responses. The project will provide an excellent young scientist with a multi-disciplinary training opportunity encompassing mass spectrometry, immunology and molecular neuro-oncology, in a highly supportive environment.
Aston University was ranked 5th out of 94 UK Higher Education Institutions for research in Allied Health Professions (REF 2014) and was ranked 1st for research environment. Additional information about research in the School can be found at http://www.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/. Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Kesley Attridge (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]).
Financial Support
The studentship is open to Home/EU students only and comprises of the current RCUK tax-free stipend of £14,553 p.a. and payment of Home/EU tuition fees only. The studentship is available for three years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year with an anticipated registration date in January 2018.
Application Requirements
● Eligible Applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons.) Degree of either 1st Class/ 2.1 or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
● EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills, with a minimum overall score of 93 (Internet Based) (with a minimum score in each section of: R: 18, W: 23, L: 19 and S: 19) in TOEFL or IELTS with minimum marks of 6.0 in each section and an overall band of 6.5.
●Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Kesley Attridge (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]; Telephone: 0121 204 3228).
● To apply please complete the on-line application form at
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/postgraduate-research/apply/ (Select: ‘Research Full-Time Biomedical Sciences’ Programme) quoting the Reference: ‘PhD_Attridge’ on all applications.
● The Closing Date for All Applications is Sunday: 19th November 2017.
Please Note that only candidates who have been selected for interview will be contacted. If you have not received an invitation to attend an Interview within approx. two weeks of the closing date, you may assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion