PhD studentship in Immunology & Bioengineering- Developing a novel therapeutic for restoration of immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis.

Award summary

100% of home tuition fees paid and an annual stipend (living expenses) starting at £18,622 (23/24 rate). International candidates will be required to fund the difference between home fees and international fees. 

Overview

This studentship will develop a biomaterial-based therapeutic to restore immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating inflammatory autoimmune disease for which no cure is available. It is caused by a loss of immune tolerance to the patient’s self-antigens, leading to destructive immune responses to their own tissues. Current treatments largely act by reducing inflammation, but do not restore the underlying pathology. The development of novel therapeutics that restore immune tolerance has therefore become a major focus. Such therapeutics are referred to as antigen-specific tolerogenic vaccines.   

We have invented a novel biomaterial-based formulation for the delivery of an immunomodulatory drug, and we have shown that this formulation induces tolerogenic function in dendritic cells in vitro. The goal of this project is to further develop this formulation into a tolerogenic vaccine that induces antigen-specific immune tolerance in vivo, and to investigate the immunological mechanism(s) by which this occurs.  

This project will combine techniques in cellular and molecular immunology, biomaterial engineering and in vivo studies in preclinical models. This studentship offers an exciting opportunity to join a cross-disciplinary team of immunologists and biomaterial engineers and to gain expertise in immunotherapeutic approaches to restore immune tolerance. 

Number of awards 

1 

Start date  

16 September 2024 

Award duration 

The funding covers a four-year PhD.  

Application closing date 

5th April 2024 

Sponsor 

The JGW Patterson Foundation  

Name of supervisor/s 

Professor Catharien Hilkens and Dr Lei Huang, Translational & Clinical Research Institute 

Dr Katarina Novakovic, School of Engineering 

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent, in a Biological or Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Materials Engineering subject. Further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous.  

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate. However, international/EU applicants will be considered. Successful international/EU candidates will be required to make up the difference between home fees and international fees.  

English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall, with 5.5 or more in each sub-skill. 

How to apply 

You must apply through the University’s Application Portal:  https://applyto.newcastle.ac.uk/  

In ‘Course choice’ tab, put ‘Postgraduate Research’ in ‘Type of Study’, ‘Full Time’ in ‘Mode of Study’, ‘2024’ in ‘Year of Entry’, code ‘8440F’ in ‘Course Title’, blank in ‘Research Area’. Press ‘Search’, select ‘PhD Translational and Clinical Research (FT)’, and save selection.  

Either upload a document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘TC096’ in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’.  

When prompted for research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. 

You can also upload a covering letter and CV, stating how your interests and experience relate to the project.   

Degree transcripts/certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if completed must be uploaded.   

Contact Details 

For further details, please contact:  

Professor Catharien Hilkens 

Translational and Clinical Research Institute 

E-mail: catharien.hilkens@newcastle.ac.uk