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Identification of novel blood, urine, and tissue biomarkers of acute rejection and transplant injury to assist personalised immunosuppression in paediatric renal transplant recipients
A 3-year PhD Studentship funded by Kidney Research UK is available in the Kidney Development and Disease group https://www.ich-kidney.co.uk/ within the Developmental Biology and Cancer Research and Teaching Department, Great Ormond Street UCL Institute of Child Health. The studentship will commence in June 2023 under the supervision of Professor Stephen Marks and Professor David Long.
The aim of the studentship is to develop a non-invasive biomarker of paediatric kidney transplant rejection. To do this, the student will isolate immune cells from kidney tissue of paediatric renal transplant recipients and perform RNA-sequencing; transcript levels will then be associated with the patients clinical characteristics to identify promising biomarkers. We will then perform (i) a cross-sectional, validation study utilising stored biopsy material, blood and urine from patients and (ii) prospective validation of the prognostic value of the novel molecular biomarkers in a cohort of patients undergoing transplantation. This project will allow a student to establish their research career in a dynamic laboratory which is developing new treatments for children with kidney disease using cutting-edge techniques. The PhD student will also obtain generic skills by attending relevant courses run by UCL.
The student will receive a starting stipend of £19,668 per annum (including London weighting) as well as the cost of tuition fees based on UK fee status.
Personal Specification
Applicants should have a good first degree (UK 1st class or upper 2nd class honours degree or equivalent from abroad) and a Master’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in a relevant discipline by the time of registration.
Eligibility
This studentship covers the cost of tuition fees based on the UK (Home) rate. Non-UK students can apply but will have to personally fund the difference between the UK (Home) rate and the overseas rate where they are not eligible for UK fee status.
NB: You will be asked about your likely fee status at the interview so we would advise you to contact the UCL Graduate Admissions Office for advice should you be unsure whether or not you meet the eligibility criteria for Home fee status. Further information on Brexit and the definitions for fee status assessment can be found on the UCL website and also the UKCISA website (Higher Education: Definitions for fee status assessment).
Application
To apply, please send a current CV including the contact details of two professional referees as well as a cover letter to ich.dbc.admin@ucl.ac.uk. Enquiries regarding the post can be made to Professor Marks and Long, Stephen.Marks@gosh.nhs.uk and d.long@ucl.ac.uk .
Deadline for receipt of applications: 5pm, Friday 10th March 2023.
Interview date: To be confirmed
