Postdoctoral Scientist

**About the Role**





We are looking for a Postdoctoral Scientist to join the TGU research group at
the John Radcliffe Hospital. This post is as part of a new network to
understand GAS immunology – iSPY. The part of the network led by Shiranee
Sriskandan at Imperial College, where the Klenerman lab is a contributor is
the iSpy-LIFE subnetwork. The hypothesis tested here is that immunity to GAS
builds up after repeated infections in childhood. To construct a picture of
GAS immune development, samples from cross-sectional cohorts of younger
children (presumed not immune) and adults (presumed immune) will be studied to
determine the likely basis for immunity using state of the art unbiased
immunological approaches to identify both antibody and T cell responses. This
will provide insight into the likely targets of immunity that prevail.





The aim of this post is to develop novel methods to identify the subsets of T
cells involved in adult immunity to GAS. This includes studies of
unconventional T cell subsets and mucosal associated T cells subsets.





**About You**





The post holder will lead on the design, generation and deployment of novel
assays for GAS induced T cell immunity, including sequencing led approaches.
You will define TCRs involved in GAS responses to allow for development of
sequence-based approaches to immunity in populations. This post requires
someone who can manage their own academic research and administrative
activities, involving small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple
aspects of work to meet deadlines.





Having a PhD in human immunology is essential for this post.





You will also need to demonstrate that you have:





• Previous experience in designing, generating and analysing scRNASeq datasets
in human infection.



• An understanding of T cell immunology relevant to acute infection and skills
in antigen-specific T cell analyses from human cohorts using functional assays
and flow cytometry.



• The ability to manage the day-to-day running of a research project.



• A willingness to show initiative in developing and planning new strategies
and new techniques and to achieve research goals.



• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for
publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the
research group at meetings.





Having experience of actively collaborating in the development of research
articles for publication and knowledge of unconventional cell populations
involved in mucosal defence are both desirable capabilities for this post.








**About the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine**





The Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine (NDM) is one of the largest
departments of the University of Oxford and is part of the Medical Sciences
Division, with responsibility for a significant part of the teaching of
clinical students within the Medical School.








**Benefits of working**





University employees enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes,
travel discounts, and a variety of professional development opportunities. Our
range of other employee benefits and discounts also includes free entry to the
Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums.
See https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits








**Application Process**





The post is full time and fixed term for 2 years.





Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to
upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.





Only applications received before 12:00 midday on 23/01/2024 will be
considered.