Understanding immune priming and memory during influenza and coronavirus vaccine co-immunization

Project

Project Title: ‘Understanding immune priming and memory during influenza and coronavirus vaccine co-immunization’

Studentship: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Expanding European in Excellence in England (E3)

Research themes: NTD/Drug discovery and development

Primary Supervisor: Dr Ami Patel

Abstract

Vaccines have transformed modern medicine and global health. Multivalent vaccines are important strategies to target multiple antigens on a pathogen or combine targeting of multiple pathogens within a single formulation. Examples include the MMR vaccine, influenza vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, and bivalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. However, antigen interference or competition has been observed across various vaccine platforms and careful titration is necessary for successful multivalent formulation.

This project will focus on addressing knowledge gaps in our understanding of antigen delivery and presentation at the cellular level (site of vaccine injection), local immune sites, and how this impacts long-term immunity. We will take advantage of updated barcoding designs, microscopy techniques, and spectral flow cytometry to understand antigen co-delivery. This information will be used to design updated multivalent DNA and mRNA vaccines against respiratory viral pathogens such as influenza, coronaviruses, and tropical infectious diseases.

Translational Aspects

Data from this project will be used to inform next-generation vaccine design and immunization regimen strategies. Projects in our laboratory focus on in vitro studies and preclinical animal models to generate supportive data for human clinical translation. MRC skills priorities:

• Quantitative and data skills: Training in statistics, measurement, data analysis, precision and reproducibility
• Whole organism: Animal models of human infectious disease
• Interdisciplinary approaches: Virology, immunology, cell biology

Methodological Aspects

• Molecular biology: Cloning, DNA plasmid design, transfection, protein purification
• Immune assays: Western, ELISA, Flow cytometry, SPR, HAI, NA inhibition assays
• Virology assays: Microneutralization, pseudovirus neutralization, TCID50
• Animal handling: Mice – husbandry, injections, monitoring, dissection
• Microscopy: Confocal
• Data analysis: Data representation and graphing, statistics

Expected Outputs

Outputs will include:

• Proficiency in assays, techniques, and skills: molecular biology, immunology, virology, animal handling
• Publications: primary research manuscripts and contribution to a review article
• Research presentations
• Data to support future grant applications

Development Opportunities

a) Advanced Quantitative/Data Science Skills

During Year 1 of the programme you will be required to attend and participate in mandatory core competency training modules attached to the MSc Health Data Science programme delivered at the Lancaster University campus. These modules normally run in-person between October and December. During this time, you may be expected to attend on-site at the LU campus between 2-5 days each week. A timetable for these modules will be confirmed prior to enrolment.

You will also be required to attend one further optional module, delivered at the LU campus, which normally run between 2-4 week blocks in-person between January and April.

Access to Lancaster’s Health Data Science modules will strengthen the student’s ability to handle large, multidimensional datasets and extract mechanistic insight – an increasingly essential capability in modern drug discovery.

You will not be required to undertake assessments attached to the LU MSc Health Data Science programme.

b) Project-Specific Skills

The student will have opportunities to attend seminars, submit abstracts and present at scientific meetings, manuscript preparation, and presenting to academic, non-profit, and industry collaborators. Additional course-based training and certifications may be considered.

Relevant Publications

• Gary, Trachtman et al Frontiers in Immunology 2025, in press
• Tursi et al Cell Reports Med 2025, PMID: 40120578
• Patel, Walters, Reuschel et al Cell Reports Med 2021, PMID: 3460481804818
• Smith, Patel, Ramos et al Nature Communications 2020, PMID: 32433465
• Patel et al Journal of Infectious Diseases 2019, PMID: 30304515

What we are looking for

• Undergraduate level understanding of molecular cell biology
• A basic understanding of virology and immunology would be an advantage
• Introductory laboratory skills (pipetting, sterile technique)
• The student must be comfortable with or the prospect of handling animals. Performing animals experiments is required as part of this project.
• The student should be inquisitive, organised and detail-oriented, and resourceful

Indicative Start Date: 1st October 2026

Funding Package

This studentship is funded by the UK Research Innovation (UKRI), Expanding European Excellence (E3).

The studentship includes:

• Stipend set at the UKRI Minimum Doctoral Stipend rate. For 26/27 this is £21,805 per annum.
• Tuition/programme fees
• Contribution to research support fees for: lab consumables, travel, computing hardware, publications.

The duration of the funding package is 4 years.

Eligibility

Academic

• Applicants must hold at least a first class or high upper second-class Honours degree, or a degree of comparable standard awarded from outside the UK.
• A Masters degree (at merit or distinction preferable) is also a pre-requisite.
• Where an applicant does not meet the Honours degree requirement (e.g. they hold a lower second-class Honours degree), they may be eligible to apply if they also hold a Master’s degree with an awarded distinction in an area relevant to the research theme of the project. To be considered for this exemption, the qualification must be awarded at time of application and candidates must provide an award certificate and transcript for both qualifications. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider Master’s qualifications that have not yet been awarded for this purpose.

Residence

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO CANDIDATES HOLDING A ‘HOME’ FEE STATUS AND WITH VALID IMMIGRATION PERMISSION TO LIVE AND STUDY IN THE UK FOR THE FULL DURATION OF THE STUDENTSHIP AT THE POINT OF APPLICATION.

‘Home’ fee status typically applies to students who are ‘settled’ in the UK—meaning they have no immigration restriction on the length of stay—and who have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for the three years immediately before the first day of their course. Eligibility also extends to certain groups such as British or Irish nationals, those with Indefinite Leave to Remain or equivalent rights, refugees or individuals with humanitarian protection, and some family members of qualifying persons

Applicants must hold valid immigration permission to live and study in the UK for the full duration of the studentship at the point of application. This includes ensuring that your current visa category permits postgraduate study and will remain valid throughout the funded period. Candidates who require a future visa extension or a change of immigration category must be able to demonstrate a clear and lawful route to maintaining continuous leave for the entire studentship.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF BOTH OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE REJECTED.

How to Apply

Stage 1 – Complete the following online form

Candidates are eligible to apply from Monday 18th May 2026.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, candidates must:

1. Submit a copy of their Curriculum Vitae to pgr@lstmed.ac.uk
2. Complete the online application form: Application form: Understanding immune priming…

This application form will ask you to:

• Provide your personal details
• Answer 6 questions related to your motivation for doctoral study (up to 1250 characters [approx 250 words] per question)
• Detail your qualifications, any relevant research experience and your English language proficiency
• List any contextual information that you feel is important for assessors to know (optional)
• Provide diversity monitoring information

Deadline for application is noon UK time Wednesday 10th June. Applications are only considered complete if LSTM has received a copy of your Curriculum Vitae and a completed form.

Successful Candidates

Candidates that are successful will be notified by Friday 26th June.

Successful candidates will be invited to submit documentation in support of the information they provided in their initial application prior to interviews expected to take place early July.