Research Fellow in Immunothrombosis

Type of contract: Full-time, project limited for 3 years

We seek an enthusiastic individual with a strong interest and background in cardiovascular sciences and/or immunology to work in the laboratory of Professor Nicola Mutch & Dr Claire Whyte. The successful candidate will join a well-funded, dynamic research group within the Institute of Medical Sciences. 

It is now accepted that the dysregulation of the haemostatic system has many drivers and a crucial role for leukocyte activation and vascular endothelial dysfunction in immunothrombosis has become apparent. Whilst an appropriate innate immune response resulting in NET formation and localised thrombus development is essential to clear pathogens during infection, uncontrolled activation can lead to a complex systemic pathogenic environment that results in pathological thrombosis and end organ damage. Thrombosis stimulated by innate immune responses, or immunothrombosis, is also relevant to several sterile inflammatory conditions characterised by pathological blood clot formation, such as venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and microvascular thrombosis.

Immunothrombosis is considered to be a driver of thromboinflammation in acute infection, such as COVID-19 or sepsis. However, the mechanisms by which immunothrombosis drive coagulopathy remain unclear. Despite recent advances in the development of antithrombotic strategies, these demonstrate limited efficacy in targeting immune-driven coagulopathy. This is possibly due to alternative activation of coagulation and dysregulation of fibrinolysis, seen in the inflammatory state, compared to classical haemostasis and thrombosis models. Indeed, cardiovascular conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and atherosclerosis are now recognised as prototypical forms of sterile immunothrombosis, commonly referred to as thromboinflammation, in which the activation of the innate immune system occurs in the absence of infection. This exciting project will investigate novel interactions of the fibrinolytic system and the innate immune system to unpick the cross-talk between these two pathways.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 6, £37,999 - £41,421 per annum, pro rata and negotiable with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Informal enquiries should be made to Professor Nicola Mutch, Personal Chair (n.j.mutch@abdn.ac.uk).

Prior to employment, the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route under the UKVI immigration rules but is dependent on factors specific to the candidate and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

Information on other visa options is available at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

Please do not hesitate to contact Grant Rae, HR Adviser (e-mail: grant.rae@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

To apply online for this position click the 'Apply' button above

Job Reference Number: IMS298R

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 10^th December 2024

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