LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
(University of London)
FACULTY OF INFECTIOUS AND TROPICAL DISEASES
DEPARTMENT OF IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
1.
ADVERTISEMENT
RESEARCH FELLOW
We are seeking to appoint a cellular immunologist to contribute to an MRC-funded
research programme entitled “Natural Killer cells as effectors of vaccine-induced
immunity” which includes field studies in The Gambia, West Africa as well as
laboratory work at LSHTM and at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA.
The successful applicant will have a PhD in Immunology, research experience in
human immunology and a record of high quality publications in peer-reviewed
journals. Prior experience of clinical research or overseas field research would be a
considerable advantage.
The post is funded by the UK Medical Research Council for 3 years. The post is
available from 1st July 2011 approximately. Salary is on the Academic Pathway
Grade 6 scale from £35,511 to £40,349 per annum inclusive.
Applications should be made on-line via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk The
reference for this post is EMR1. Applications should also include a CV and the
names and email contacts of 2 referees who can be contacted immediately if
shortlisted. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to
jobs@lshtm.ac.uk.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer
2.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is one of Europe’s leading
Schools of Public Health and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for
research and postgraduate education in global health.
Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its
kind in Europe with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing
many disciplines. The School was ranked one of the top 3 research institutions in the
country in the Times Higher Education’s 'table of excellence', which is based on the
2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), ahead of the London School of
Economics, Oxford, Imperial and University College, London. The institution also
achieved the largest increase in ranking compared with 2001, of any of the top 10
institutions in the RAE rankings. In 2009, the School became the first UK institution to
win the Gates Award for Global Health.
The School’s environment is a rich multicultural one: there are almost 4000 students
from 100+ countries following 22 taught masters courses delivered either in London
(~650) or through distance learning (~2700), and undertaking research degree
training (~400). Over 40% of these students are from non-European countries. The
largest growth has been in distance learning students (>40% over 3 years), though
the London-based student population (where accommodation limits growth) is at its
highest level ever. Alumni are working in more than 180 countries. The School has
about 1400 staff drawn from over 60 nationalities.
There are research collaborations with over 100 countries throughout the world,
utilizing our critical mass of multidisciplinary expertise which includes clinicians,
epidemiologists, statisticians, social scientists, molecular biologists, immunologists,
ophthalmologists, anthropologists, virologists, pharmacologists and nutritionists. At
any one time around 100 School staff are based overseas, particularly in Africa and
Asia. We have a strong commitment to partnership with institutions in low and middle
income countries to support the development of teaching and research capacity.
The School has expanded greatly in recent years. Its research funding now exceeds
m£62.4 per annum, much of it from highly competitive national and international
sources. The commitment of staff to methodological rigour, innovative thinking and
policy relevance will ensure that the School continues to occupy a leadership position
in national and global health, adapting quickly to new challenges and opportunities.
Mission
The School's mission is to contribute to the improvement of health worldwide
through the pursuit of excellence in research, postgraduate teaching and
advanced training in national and international public health and tropical
medicine, and through informing policy and practice in these areas."
Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases :The Faculty of Infectious and
Tropical Diseases encompasses all of the laboratory-based research in the School
as well as that on the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious and tropical
diseases. It is headed by Simon Croft, who is Professor of Parasitology. The range
of disciplines represented in the faculty is very broad and inter-disciplinary research
is a feature of much of our activity. The spectrum of diseases studied is wide and
there are major research groups with a focus on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and
other sexually transmitted diseases, vaccine development and evaluation, and vector
biology and disease control. The Faculty is organised into four large research
departments comprising: Pathogen Molecular Biology, Immunology and Infection,
Disease Control, and Clinical Research. There is close interaction between
scientists in different research teams. The Faculty has strong overseas links, which
provide a basis for field studies and international collaborations in developed and
developing countries. The teaching programme includes MSc courses, taught in-
house and by distance learning, which are modular in structure, a variety of shortcourses and an active doctoral programme (PhD and DrPH).
Department of Immunology and Infection (Head: Professor Eleanor Riley)
Research in the Department of Immunology and Infection centres on analysis of the
host response to infection at the molecular, cellular and population levels. The goals
are to develop a greater understanding of basic mechanisms of immunological
protection versus pathology, and to apply this knowledge to the development of
immunological interventions and the identification of correlates of immune status. Our
work involves application of state-of-the-art cellular and molecular approaches to the
in vitro analysis of pathogen-host cell interactions, to in vivo studies in models and to
the study of immunity at the population level in disease endemic areas.
Current research includes the role of innate and adaptive responses in resistance to
the bacterial pathogens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Burkholderia pseudomallei
(G. Bancroft); correlates of protection against tuberculosis and studies of BCG
vaccination, human CD8+ T-cell responses to mycobacterial antigens and synthetic
peptides, use of whole blood assays in immuno-epidemiology (H. Dockrell); innate
and adaptive immunity to malaria including activation of natural killer cells, cytokine
regulation in clinical immunity and immunopathology (E. Riley, K. Couper and J.
Hafalla); using anti-malarial antibodies as a marker of malaria exposure &
assessment of the use of sero-epidemiology to monitor and target malaria control
measures (C. Drakeley), transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria including
antibody responses to gametocyte-infected erythrocyte surface antigens, effect of
gamete antigen variability on transmission, gametocyte sequestration and
development and gametocyticidal drug therapy (C. Sutherland and T, Bousema);
impact of concomitant viral, bacterial, protozoal and helminth infections on induction
of immune responses and immunopathology and T cell regulation and induction of
mucosal immune responses during intestinal nematode infections (H. Helmby); the
identification and evaluation of novel drugs and drug delivery systems for
schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis and malaria (Q, Bickle, S. Croft, K.
Seifert, V. Yardley); intracellular trafficking and secretory pathways of cells of the
immune system (T. Ward); innate and adaptive immunity to leishmaniasis (P. Kropf
and M. Rogers).
Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology (Head: Professor John Kelly)
Research in the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology focuses on the molecular
biology and genetics of pathogens and their hosts in the context of improving the
understanding and control of infectious diseases. Aspects of pathogen biology of
interest include: (i) determining the mechanisms of infection of globally important
viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens; (ii) deciphering the genetic diversity of
selected disease agents in natural populations and to determine its epidemiological
impact, (iii) studying immune evasion mechanisms of particular disease agents, (iv)
exploiting parasitic, bacterial and viral pathogens as model biological systems and (v)
developing practical applications including improved diagnostic tests and the
identification and characterisation of vaccine candidates and drug targets.
PMBD currently has funding to investigate, amongst others, the malaria parasite
(Plasmodium spp), Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), African sleeping sickness
(Trypanosoma brucei), amoebic dysentery (Entamoeba), the Leishmania species,
bacterial food borne pathogens (Campylobacter jejuni and Yersinia enterocolitica),
gastric ulcers/cancer (Helicobacter pylori), pseudomembranous colitis (Clostridium
difficile), plague (Yersinia pestis), paddy field melioidosis (Burkholderia
pseudomallei),
Tuberculosis
(Mycobacterium
tuberculosis),
Pneumonia
(Streptococcus pneumoniae), Bluetongue viral disease of livestock, Herpesviridae,
SARS, the hemorrhagic fever virus (RVFV) and the enteric rotavirus that cause
significant diarrhoeal disease in infants developing countries.
Department of Clinical Research (Head: Professor Alison Grant)
The Department of Clinical Research addresses infectious diseases of major public
health importance in developing countries. Activities include trials of new therapies,
vaccines and educational interventions; the development of new diagnostic tests;
studies to elucidate the immunological and molecular correlates of pathogenesis and
protective immunity, and to identify genetic polymorphisms conferring protection or
susceptibility to infectious diseases; health services research which aims to identify
the most efficient and cost-effective way to deliver health care; and health policy
analysis. In addition to our many overseas collaborations, we have close links with
the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, in new, purpose-built accommodation on the main
UCL Hospital campus, five minutes walk from the School. The Wellcome Trust
Bloomsbury Centre for Clinical Tropical Medicine is based in the Department, and
currently supports five Clinical Training Fellows and two Career Development
Fellows, most of whom are based overseas.
Much of the Department’s research concerns HIV and related infections; in particular,
the interaction between HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases, and
between HIV infection and tuberculosis. We have longstanding and fruitful
collaborations addressing these issues in Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and South
Africa. Brian Greenwood FRS is leading an initiative to strengthen malaria research
in the School through new collaborative links in Africa.
Department of Disease Control (Head: Dr Mark Rowland)
This multidisciplinary Department includes epidemiologists, entomologists,
anthropologists and social scientists, clinical scientists, public health engineers, and
geographers. This range of expertise provides us with a battery of tools for focusing
on the control of diseases that are insect-borne, water-borne or associated with poor
hygiene – mostly in developing countries. Much of the research can be categorised
as: evaluating disease control interventions; investigating implementation strategies including working with the private sector; understanding the factors underlying
household behaviour in relation to family health; or determining how control
resources can be targeted most efficiently. Particular attention is paid to research
directed at current health policy issues, including the gap between policy and
practice. The DFID Resource Centre for Water and Environmental Health (WELL)
and the Hygiene Centre make up the Department’s Environmental Health Group,
which plays a leadership role in research and operational support for hygiene
promotion, water supply and sanitation. The Department also houses the largest
research group in LSHTM working on malaria control, including the DIFD Team for
Applied Research to Generate Effective Tools and Strategies for communicable
disease control (TARGETs) and the Malaria Capacity Development Consortium
(MCDC). The Department’s valuable mosquito colonies are used for testing repellent
products and insecticides in the laboratory. The Department also includes a major
grouping of researchers using spatial analysis in public health.
Teaching
The School offers 22 one year full-time taught courses leading to the Master of
Science (MSc) degree of the University of London and the Diploma of the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (DLSHTM). The Faculty of Infectious and
Tropical Diseases runs or contributes substantially to ten of these courses and the
“Immunology of Infectious Diseases” course is run from within the Department of
Immunology and Infection. In addition, the Faculty is responsible for the three-month
Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) and offers a range of specialist
short courses lasting usually one or two weeks. Three MSc courses are also offered
by Distance-based Learning, including one on Infectious Diseases.
Research Training
The School offers two doctoral training programmes. The MPhil/PhD degrees are
designed for those who wish to go on to a full time research career. The DrPH is
directed towards those who expect their careers to be more in the practice of public
health.
3.
THE RESEARCH PROGRAMME
The aim of this research is to explore the potential for NK cells to contribute to the
effector phase of adaptive (acquired) immune responses to infection following
vaccination - to determine the kinetics of induction and duration of NK responses
post vaccination, the requirements for NK cells to be activated post-vaccination and
whether NK cells contribute to vaccine efficacy.
Vaccination is the most sustainable and cost-effective way to reduce the global
burden of infectious disease. New vaccines are urgently needed for complex
infections including malaria, HIV and TB. Rational design of such vaccines might be
informed by comparison with existing effective vaccines but these were, in the main,
developed empirically and we have a very incomplete understanding of how they
work. Expensive and time-consuming clinical trials remain the only way to evaluate
vaccines for most human diseases; correlates of protection – which might allow
triage of candidate vaccines – are lacking in most cases. Acquired immunity to
infection is conferred by clonally-expanded populations of effector and memory B and
T lymphocytes expressing surface antigen receptors with high affinity for the
particular pathogen. Antigen-specific CD4+ “helper” T cells augment B cell, CD8+ T
cell and macrophage-mediated effector functions. These responses form the basis
for evaluation of vaccine-induced immunity.
We have investigated an additional, little-appreciated but potentially very important,
function for CD4+ T helper cells, namely their ability to potentiate natural killer (NK)
cell activation in an IL-2-dependent manner. We have shown that NK cell cytokine
and cytolytic activities are markedly enhanced after vaccination as a result of
induction of antigen-specific, IL-2 secreting CD4+ T lymphocytes. Upon exposure to
the pathogen, T cell-derived IL-2 synergises with signals from myeloid accessory
cells to induce extremely potent and rapid activation of NK cells.
The programme comprises three strands:
1. Observational studies in humans undergoing routine immunisation with licensed
vaccines to characterise NK cell and CD4+ T cell IL-2 responses before, during and
after vaccination, to determine the longevity of these responses and the effects of
boosting.
2. A cohort study with nested case-control study, in The Gambia, to determine the
prevalence, magnitude and kinetics of NK and CD4+ T cell responses to hepatitis B
virus (HBV) in vaccinated individuals and to correlate these responses with indicators
of HBV infection.
3. Experimental studies of viral, bacterial and protozoal infections to characterise NK
cell responses to pathogens before and after infection and/or vaccination and to
compare resistance to infection in the presence or absence of NK cells.
We expect the work to provide new assays and new correlates of protection for rapid
evaluation of vaccine efficacy, screening of new antigens and adjuvants, optimising
dosing schedules and determining duration of protection. Where appropriate, this
may lead to vaccines being specifically designed to induce NK responses.
4.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Research Fellow
Grade:
Academic Pathway Grade 6
Responsible to:
Professor Eleanor Riley
Department:
Immunology and Infection
Start date:
1st July 2011 approximately
Hours of work:
There are no fixed hours of work for academic staff. Staff are
expected to work such hours at such times as are reasonably
required to carry out the duties associated with the post, but
not less than 35 hours per week for a full-time appointment.
Accountability:
The post holder will be responsible to the Programme
Principal Investigator, Professor Eleanor Riley, the Head of
Department (currently Professor Riley) and the Head of
Faculty (currently Professor Simon Croft).
Main duties and responsibilities:
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5.
Conduct research within an MRC-funded research programme entitled
“Natural Killer cells as effectors of vaccine-induced immunity” which includes
field studies in The Gambia, West Africa as well as laboratory work at LSHTM
and with collaborators at NIH in Bethesda, USA
Disseminate research findings through international meetings and peerreviewed publications
Assist with training and supervision of doctoral students (PhD and/or DrPh)
and academic visitors in research as appropriate
To contribute to the Faculty teaching programme, up to 10% of your time per
annum, subject to the policy of any funding agency (by agreement, some staff
may make a greater contribution than this).
Assist with supervision of student projects within the MSc Immunology of
Infectious Diseases course
Play an active part in the academic life of the School and participate in
departmental and faculty activities including participation in seminar
programmes and laboratory meetings
Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Head of Department or
Head of Faculty.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
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PhD in Immunology
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Research experience in cellular immunology
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A record of high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals
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Demonstrable skills and experience of multiparameter flow cytometry
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A meticulous approach to carrying out experiments and to recording of data,
protocols and daily activities
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Excellent time management, organisation and communication skills, including
written and spoken English
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Sufficient numerical and mathematical skills to manage large data sets and
become adept at standard statistical analyses.
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Computer literate, e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint & statistical software
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Demonstrable ability to work independently and as part of a team
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Demonstrable ability and prior experience of working with people from diverse
backgrounds in a multicultural environment
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Flexibility in terms of working practice, role and working hours
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Willingness to travel and to spend periods working at field sites in remote
locations in The Gambia
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Ambitious, self-motivating and with an open and friendly personality
Desirable:
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Prior experience of working with human samples
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Prior experience of working with human NK cells
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Prior experience of field research in Africa or similar locations
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Working knowledge of SPICE software for flow cyometry
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Prior experience of automated image analysis
6.
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:
The appointment will be a full-time post on the Academic Pathway Grade 6 scale
from £35,511 to £40,349 per annum inclusive of London Weighting. The post is
funded for 3 years. Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year for all staff
(pro-rata for part-time staff). In addition to this there are 6 fixed-date "Director's
Days".
7.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made on-line via our website at jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The
reference for this post is EMR1. Online applications will be accepted by the
automated system until 11.00pm of the closing date. Any queries regarding the
application process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk.
The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience
and training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more
paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part
of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that
the application will not be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as
“Please see attached CV” will not be considered acceptable.
Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date
it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being
an equal opportunities employer