Professor Tracey Hussell & Dr David Bud

The Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research (MCCIR) invites applications for this 3-year PhD studentship. Funding covers an annual tax-free stipend of £19,000 plus tuition fees and research expenses. Whilst funding is limited to UK/EU tuition fee rates, MCCIR will consider applications from outstanding non-EU nationals if they can cover the difference in UK/EU and international fees (approximately £12,600 p.a.) The proposed start date for the PhD is September 2013, but this is flexible, with a January 2014 start also possible.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of where more than 90% of sarcoidosis patients have lung disease. Though considered an interstitial lung disease sarcoidosis also involves the airways (large and small), causing obstructive airways disease and a broad spectrum of airways dysfunction. Sarcoidosis is characterized by noncaseating granulomas containing CD4(+) T cells with a Th1 immunophenotype. Although the causative antigens remain unknown, independent studies noted molecular and immunologic evidence of mycobacterial virulence factors in sarcoidosis specimens.

The development of new therapeutic interventions for pulmonary sarcoidosis have been severely hampered by the lack of appropriate animal models of disease. The successful PhD candidate will develop an in vivo model of pulmonary sarcoidosis using mycobacterial antigen/Serum Amyloid A (SAA) administration and investigate how alterations in innate immune responses drives persistent inflammation and subsequent fibrosis.

This PhD will provide a unique opportunity to work at the interface between academia and industry in a vibrant research centre. Extensive training will be provided in cutting edge technologies relevant to inflammation research, such as flow cytometry, microscopy and in vivo models.

Applicants should hold a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in a biological/medical science, biochemistry, pharmacology or related area. A related Masters qualification or extensive research experience (> 2 years) would be an advantage.

Please direct applications in the following format to Helen Tweddle (helen.tweddle@manchester.ac.uk), via the ‘Apply’ button below:

• Academic CV
• Official academic transcripts
• Contact details for two suitable referees
• Personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and research experience to date.

Applications are invited up to and including Monday 15 July 2013.

http://www.mccir.ls.manchester.ac.uk/jobs/

http://www.inflammation-repair.manchester.ac.uk/staff/tracyhussell

Oswald-Richter KA, Culver DA, Hawkins C, Hajizadeh R, Abraham S, Shepherd BE, Jenkins CA, Judson MA, Drake WP: Cellular responses to mycobacterial antigens are present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid used in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, Infect Immun 2009, 77:3740-3748

Bargagli E, Magi B, Olivieri C, Bianchi N, Landi C, Rottoli P: Analysis of serum amyloid A in sarcoidosis patients, Respir Med 105:775-780

Chen ES, Song Z, Willett MH, Heine S, Yung RC, Liu MC, Groshong SD, Zhang Y, Tuder RM, Moller DR: Serum amyloid A regulates granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis through Toll-like receptor-2, Am J Respir Crit Care Med 181:360-373

Wissinger E, Goulding J, Hussell T: Immune homeostasis in the respiratory tract and its impact on heterologous infection, Semin Immunol 2009, 21:147-155 

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