Research Fellow

About us

A 4-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow post is available to investigate how pre-existing antibodies shape subsequent immune responses through antibody feedback, funded by the Wellcome Trust. The post holder will be based at the state-of-the-art Institute of Infection, Immunity and Transplantation (Royal Free campus, Pears Building). Work within the IIT aims to translate advances in the understanding of pathogens and the immune system into improved diagnosis and therapy. Dr McCoy's group uses flow cytometry, antibody cloning and viral neutralisation assays to understand immune responses during viral infection and vaccination.

The IIT brings together a critical mass of more than 20 world-class immunology research groups working at the forefront of translational immunology. The Institute’s close links to the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust provides an excellent interface between science and medicine.

About the role

This project addresses a fundamental question in immunology: how do pre-existing antibodies influence subsequent B cell responses following infection and vaccination? Using influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and Japanese encephalitis virus as model systems, the successful candidate will investigate how antibody feedback shapes immune imprinting through an integrated analysis of serum antibody responses, antigen-specific B cell populations, monoclonal antibody isolation and B cell receptor repertoire analysis.

The laboratory work is based at the UCL IIT on the Royal Free Hospital site in Hampstead but travel to partner institution in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands may potentially be required. The IIT brings together a critical mass of more than 20 world-class immunology research groups working at the forefront of translational immunology. The Institute’s close links to the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust provides an excellent interface between science and medicine.

About you

The successful applicant will lead experimental aspects of the project while working closely with an interdisciplinary consortium of experimental and computational immunologists across the UK and Europe. The role offers substantial opportunities to develop independent research ideas, contribute to high-impact publications, supervise junior researchers and establish international collaborations.

Please only upload a CV and cover letter. Do not upload papers, theses, certificates or any other document as this will disqualify your application from shortlisting.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details. Please also read the attached Candidate Guidance document.

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.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.