Dphil Studentship

Applications are invited for a DPhil studentship to work in the Simmons laboratory based at the MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford.

We are seeking a DPhil student to define GPCR signaling regulating lineage progression of human intestinal barrier cells during development, in health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim is to decipher how intestinal barrier cells make fate decisions in homeostasis and disease and how the surrounding microenvironment, including metabolic factors, contribute to this process and subsequent barrier health. We aim to understand the intercellular signaling that mediates the coordination between the resolution of inflammation and re-epithelialization during intestinal disease.

This is an outstanding opportunity to work on a Heptares funded programme examining intestinal barrier immunity in heath and IBD. The work involves working in an interdisciplinary team and the post-holder will work on a day
- to-day basis with our team of research scientists, computational biologists and clinicians to identify key GPCR pathways linked to barrier health.

The post requires a collaborative work ethic as the individual will work closely with Simmons lab colleagues to develop novel approaches to defining GPCR activity and function in the gastrointestinal tract. The WIMM provides a vibrant collaborative research culture with diverse expertise and outstanding facilities to enable exciting discovery science in this area.

To be considered for this position you should have a degree in relevant scientific discipline with experience in human tissue sample processing

You should be able to demonstrate technical expertise in basic molecular biology, imaging and immunology techniques

The post is full-time and fixed term for 3 years with the possibility of extension.