Development and validation of quantitative assays for nephritic factors in complement-mediated glomerular disease

About the Project

You will form part of the team at the world renowned National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre (NRCTC) and the Complement Therapeutic Research Group (CTRG) in Newcastle which provides a fully integrated bench to bedside and back again approach to research, diagnostics, and treatment of the rare kidney diseases, atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS) and C3 Glomerulopathy. It operates as a collaboration between the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University to deliver integrated clinical care, advanced genetic testing, and world-leading research.

The student will work ton an important, exciting translational project developing assays to detect and quantify autoantibodies (nephritic factors) that lead to excessive activation of the complement system and subsequently damage to the kidneys. The project will use a variety of immunological techniques, working with international collaborators, to quantify complement activation, detect and quantify nephritic factor levels. Once the assays have been established, the student will use them to analyse patient samples to improve our understanding of how these assays relate to disease activity and patient outcomes.

It is anticipated that the tests developed in this project will be adopted into routine clinical care pathways and critically will facilitate the design of clinical trials to better use novel treatments for complement-mediated disease that are being introduced.

Overall, this project will provide experience of laboratory immunological and protein biology techniques whilst working in a translational research environment allowing the student to understand the relationship between laboratory and clinical research.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the following application form – Google Form

Applicants can only apply for 1 project; any additional applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should send the following documents to FMSstudentships@newcastle.ac.uk:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees).
• a Cover letter – stating your project choice, as well as including additional information you feel is pertinent to your application.
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates.
• a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE

Please submit your documents in the following format only:

• each document should be submitted *as a separate attachment* and should be named as follows: candidate surname, candidate name – document type. For example: Jones, Jamie – CV; Jones, Jamie – cover letter.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your CV, cover letter, transcripts and certificates. Do not submit photos of certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: FMS PhD Application 2026

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Informal enquiries may be made to the lead supervisor of the project you are interested in.

The deadline for all applications is 12 noon BST (UK time) on Wednesday 20th May 2026.