Using in situ structural biology to resolve immune cell interactions at the nanoscale

The immune system's ability to eliminate infected or cancerous cells depends on precisely orchestrated cell-cell interactions. Defining these interactions at the molecular level is fundamental to understand the immune response and to drive development of the next generation of immunotherapies.

<p>In this scholarship, you will employ cutting-edge structural cell biology methods to visualize nanoscale changes which control the immune response. You will establish time-resolved fluorescence microscopy of immune cell interactions using immunofluorescence and live-cell imaging. By performing cryo-correlative light, electron microscopy combined with computational analysis, you will gain high resolution structural information of the cytoskeleton and associated components in their native cellular environment. In parallel, you will generate genetic perturbations of known cytoskeletal crosslinkers which have an enigmatic role in immune cells and characterise their effect on cell behaviour.</p> <p>Together, this will explain what drives the generation of proper immune responses and open new avenues for modulating immune activation, which could help in treatment of autoimmune conditions and in development of immune-guided cancer therapies.</p> <p>During this project you will receive comprehensive training in:</p> <ul> <li>Flow cytometric analysis and co-culture of immune cells and their targets</li> <li>High-resolution fluorescence microscopy and live cell imaging</li> <li>Cryo-electron tomography and cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy</li> <li>Computational workflows for analysis of biomolecules in situ</li> </ul> <p><strong>About the scholarship</strong></p> <p>You will join a recently established research group (<a href="https://foster-lab.uk/">https://foster-lab.uk/</a>) which is supported by an Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Award and based within the <a href="https://astbury.leeds.ac.uk/">Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology</a> at the University of Leeds. Here, you will have access to cutting-edge facilities, including Titan Krios cryo-electron microscopes, Hydra Bio Plasma-FIB and required sample preparation equipment in the within the Astbury Biostructure Laboratory and high-resolution light microscopes within the Cheney Biomedical Accelerator. The primary supervisor for the project is Dr. Helen Foster (Lecturer in Cryo-Electron Tomography), with co-supervision by Prof. Michelle Peckham (Professor of Cell Biology), who work within the <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/84/school-of-molecular-and-cellular-biology">School of Molecular and Cellular Biology</a></p> <p><strong>About you</strong></p> <p>The ideal candidate will have an interest in structural cell biology and immunology, clear potential to develop research autonomy during the scholarship and desire to build their critical thinking skills. Prior hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, light microscopy and/or computational image analysis would be beneficial but are not essential.</p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application.</p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV (max. 2 pages)</li> <li>a personal statement (max. 1 page) explaining why you are interested in this project, what skills/experience you have which would make you a good candidate and you motivation for pursuing a PhD</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Biological Sciences as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for an FBS Faculty-Funded Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Admissions Team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant matching the UKRI maintenance stipend (£21,805 in 2026/27) and UK tuition fees for 3.5 years. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two and a half years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1^st October 2026</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship</li> </ul>

<p>For informal enquiries about the project, you are encouraged to contact Dr Helen Foster: <a href="mailto:h.e.foster@leeds.ac.uk">h.e.foster@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about the admissions process, please contact the Faculty Admissions Team: <a href="mailto:fbsgrad@leeds.ac.uk">fbsgrad@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>