TAPAS: The role of platelet receptors in inflammatory bleeding

The TAPAS, European Joint Doctorate (EJD), Innovative Training Network, funded by the European Commission under the H2020 research programme, is seeking an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) to undertake a PhD in:

The role of platelet receptors in inflammatory bleeding

TAPAS is highly intersectoral and multi-disciplinary programme of work which will tackle the problem of inflammation-driven thrombosis and bleeding which can lead to heart attack and stroke and contributes to an estimated 40% of cardiovascular deaths in the EU, and over €200 billion a year to the EU economy. Current therapy in the prevention of thrombotic events includes drugs that suppress the function of blood platelets. Whilst suppressing platelet function is effective in a large proportion of patients, it is not perfect and some patients experience further thrombotic episodes, bleeding problems or even death. Recently, it has become recognised that inflammation is a key driver of thrombosis (so-called thrombo-inflammation) and that inflammation can also lead to bleeding. This project seeks to understand the interplay between inflammatory cells and blood platelets using innovative microscopy techniques. The research will combine innovative approaches and develop new expertise to identify, understand and test new targets on blood platelets for the selective prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Host: University of Würzburg, Germany

Supervisory team: David Stegner (University of Würzburg, Germany), Steve Thomas and Steve Watson (University of Birmingham)

Project locations: University of Würzburg (first 19 months); University of Maastricht (2 months); University of Birmingham (last 15 months)

Joint PhD Student between University of Würzburg (1st) and University of Birmingham (2nd)

This PhD will require the ESR to split their time between institutions and be mobile across the network. As part of the ITN network, you will have access to the various training activities organized by the network and to secondments at partner institutions.

For further information please see the TAPAS website: https://more.bham.ac.uk/tapas/
Apply here: https://more.bham.ac.uk/tapas/vacancies/

Desirable student skills: Desirable student skills: A masters degree in Immunology/Biochemistry/Biophysics or related subject with strong interest in microscopy, who is willing to work with animal models.

Salary Information
Living Allowance: This refers to the basic, gross amount for the benefit of the researcher to be paid to the researcher in monthly instalments. For this MSCA call launched in 2016-2017, the amount for an ESR is €3,110 per month (€37,320/year – 100%). This amount is then adjusted through the application of a country correction coefficient to the living allowance of the country in which the researcher will be recruited.* The final amount will not change in case of secondments to another beneficiary or partner organisation.
* http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2016_2017/main/h2020-wp1617-msca_en.pdf

Mobility Allowance: All eligible researchers recruited within an ITN are entitled to receive this allowance. It contributes to the mobility related expenses of the researcher. The amount of the mobility allowance for the calls 2016-2017 amounts to €600 per month.

Family Allowance: A family allowance of €500 per month will be paid should the researcher have family, regardless of whether the family will move with the researcher or not.