Research Fellow (Swadling Lab) Full-time

Research Fellow (Swadling Lab)

Applications are invited for a Wellcome Trust funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in the laboratory of Dr. Leo Swadling at the Pears Building, as part of the Division of Infection Immunity and Transplantation, UCL.

Swadling T cell Lab: The overarching aim of the lab is to characterise T cell responses at the extremes of controlled or uncontrolled viral replication in natural history studies (in particular to coronaviruses, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection) to identify correlates of protection related to T cell specificity and quality – which T cells are most efficacious in diverse settings, and to then optimise vaccine design to recapitulate these correlates. We are particularly interested in how the specificity of the T cell response determines their protective efficacy and how we can rationally design vaccine immunogens to maximise cross-protection for variable viruses.

This project is based on our finding that pre-existing memory T cells targeting the highly conserved replication proteins of coronaviruses could abort SARS-CoV-2 infection in its the earliest stages (Swadling et al, Nature 2022). With this project we will now further refine this T cell correlate of protection and use this information to rationally design cross-protective vaccines.

In the first instance the post holder will help generate a library of TCRs targeting replication proteins which can be used to interrogate local and public datasets, in particular to identify dominant metaclonotypes across samples. Additionally, the post holder will help with in vivo vaccine studies and will have significant time to develop their own research streams. The post-holder will work with the PI to apply for further funding to progress vaccine development.

The post holder will be responsible for assisting the Principal Investigator by performing laboratory and computational based research including but not limited to:

• TCR repertoire analysis
• Identification and curation of publicly available TCR data
• Molecular work related to single cell RNA sequencing (including TCR sequencing) and analysis
• Epitope mapping using established tools (RBM-MHC, NetMHCpan…)
• In vivo vaccination
• Potential for viral sequence analysis, multiparameter flow cytometry, and In-vitro T-cell based assays.
• Training of other team members to implement methodologies and running assays
• Support the Principal Investigator by providing day-to-day supervision to students and staff and in funding applications

The position is available for 2 years in the first instance, and may be extended, dependent on project success, funding, and scientific priorities.

Applications are particularly encouraged from underrepresented groups.

The post holder will be an enthusiastic post-doctoral researcher, expected to perform high quality robust research under the direction of the principal investigator, Leo Swadling. They will also interact closely with the research assistants funded by this grant and PhD and MSc students within the lab. We are seeking highly motivated individual with the ability to generate their own research strategies and pursue them with enthusiasm, flexibility, and creativity.

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. It is important that the criteria are clearly numbered and that you provide a response to each one.

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 hr.ii@ucl.ac.uk.

Note: Appointment at grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, the initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B, with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.