Research Fellow – Department of Cardiovascular Sciences – 107823 – Grade 7 Full-time NEW

Job Description

The successful candidate will join an internationally recognised Cardiovascular Immunology research team to work on a 3-year project grant funded by the British Heart Foundation investigating mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque instability. The successful candidate will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within this specific research project, which aims to characterise the roles of natural killer (NK) cell receptors expressed by CD4+CD28null T cells in atherosclerotic plaque instability. They will use multiparameter immunophenotyping, functional T-cell assays, spatial transcriptomics and multiplex proteomics on human coronary atherosclerotic plaque tissues to explore the roles of NK cell receptors in the cytolytic and effector function of CD4+CD28null T cells. This work will provide novel insights into the roles of CD4+CD28null T cells in atherosclerotic plaque instability and reveal novel targets for plaque stabilising therapeutic strategies.

The Cardiovascular Immunology team (led by Dr Ingrid Dumitriu) is embedded in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences (CVS), which is part of the School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham. This CVS Department and University of Birmingham will provide access to state-of-the-art research laboratories and facilities (including flow cytometry, imaging and microscopy, Birmingham Tissue Analytics and Genomics Birmingham) as well as comprehensive training programmes.

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Perform experiments using flow cytometry of blood samples from patients to characterise NK cell receptors and functional markers in CD4+CD28null T cells
• Isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4+ T cells; carry out T cell functional assays (e.g. cytolytic function, migration, cytokine production, etc.); test the effect of antagonistic and agonistic antibodies and small molecule inhibitors to modulate NK cell receptors on CD4+CD28null T cells and assess changes in function of this cell subset
• Set up live cell imaging to assess cytolytic function in CD4+CD28null T cells
• Prepare tissue samples for spatial transcriptomics and multiplex immunofluorescence in intact coronary atherosclerotic plaques
• Carry out data analysis of spatial transcriptomics data (including integration of publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from coronary plaques) using computational analysis
• Analyse multiplex immunofluorescence imaging data of coronary atherosclerotic plaques
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff
• Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document.

A PhD degree (or near completion) relevant to the research area (immunology or a closely related field e.g. cell biology, biomedical sciences,) (essential)

Strong understanding of disease pathology and cell biology underlying atherosclerosis or other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (essential)

Strong experience in laboratory-based immunology techniques such as sterile human tissue handling and culture, cell-based profiling (by flow cytometry or imaging), molecular biology, tissue staining and imaging (essential)

High level analytical capability: Demonstrated ability to analyse, interpret, present and publish complex biological data in reputable journals (essential)

Ability to communicate complex information clearly: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings (essential)

Ability to efficiently manage own academic research and associated activities (essential)

Excellent record keeping (essential)

Strong expertise in T cell biology (desirable)

Proficiency in computational analysis (e.g. R, Python, linux command line) (desirable)

Experience in generating and analysing single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial biology (transcriptomics) datasets (desirable)

Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones

Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively

Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project

Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010. Including fostering good relations and advancing the universities Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)

Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document.