About the role

The successful candidate will join a dynamic group of basic and clinical scientists all working on integrated aspects of the immunopathogenesis and immunotherapy of hepatitis B, liver cancer and SARS-CoV-2, with a number of leading national and international collaborators. The post-holder will work on a cutting-edge programme of work funded by highly prestigious Wellcome Trust awards, collaborating with other group members at UCL and the University of Oxford and assisted by the lab technicians.

The lab’s central research goal is to re-direct the immune response to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) and resultant hepatocellular carcinoma by reconstituting successful T and B cell responses, working with patient samples, murine and in vitro 2D/3D models. Our careful delineation of the unique immune cellular interactions and microenvironmental niche within the liver environment is informing the development of tailored therapeutic approaches.

This post will predominantly focus on a detailed in situ examination of viral/host interactions in human HBV-infected liver using cutting-edge multiparameter transcriptome and proteome approaches, including MACSima fluorescence microscopy. We will probe the topology of key immune effectors, such as tissue-resident memory T cells, in relation to HBV-infected hepatocytes and zonal hypoxia. This will be complemented with flow cytometric phenotyping and functional experiments on HBV-specific T cells.

The post is available to start from April, for one year in the first instance.

About you

The post holder will be an enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher, expected to perform high-quality research under the supervision of the principal investigator, Mala Maini, working closely with her senior post-docs, PhD students and technicians in the lab. They will also work with co-investigator Prof Quaglia (liver histopathologist at the RFL) and collaboratively with co-investigator Prof McKeating and Prof Issa at the University of Oxford. We are seeking highly motivated individuals with the ability to generate their own research strategies and pursue them with determination, flexibility and creativity. They should have experience in human cellular immunology, ideally in viral adaptive immunity with some skills in tissue immunostaining and large data analysis.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details. Please also read the attached Candidate Guidance document.

All applications must include a supporting statement, telling us, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria listed in the job description. Applications without a supporting statement will be rejected.

If you have any queries about the role or application process, technical issues, or need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, please contact the staffing team at .

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be a Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary £38, - £41, per annum, inclusive of London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)

• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme

• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)

• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

• Immigration loan

• Relocation scheme for certain posts

• On-Site nursery

• On-site gym

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

• Discounted medical insurance