PhD studentship in Respiratory Mucosal Vaccinology

About the Project

Applications are invited for a fully funded full-time PhD research position at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK. The PhD will focus on the immune response mounted following vaccination with live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).

Vaccination against respiratory viral pathogens has transformed healthcare and can substantially reduce the impact of seasonal, epidemic, and pandemic respiratory viruses. Many successful vaccines are in widespread use against these types of pathogens, including measles, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza. Most such vaccines are administered by intramuscular injection; this induces strong and generally durable immunity in the blood and peripheral organs but is increasingly recognised to induce only weak immunity in the respiratory tract. As this respiratory mucosa is the portal of entry and site of replication for these pathogens, inducing stronger immune responses in the mucosa may be better at preventing infection.

In this study we will analyse samples collected from participants vaccinated with LAIV, the only mucosally-administered vaccine for a respiratory pathogen in clinical use. This vaccine is given to millions of people globally, particularly children, and has a vaccine effectiveness similar to intra-muscular influenza vaccines. Despite this widespread use and effectiveness, we do not know what immune responses to this vaccine determine protection. By resolving this key knowledge gap, we aim to enhance our understanding of what mucosal vaccines need to do in order to be effective, laying the groundwork for future mucosal vaccines against respiratory pathogens.

The successful candidate will work within the Thwaites laboratory at the Hammersmith hospital campus of the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London. We will conduct analyses of the titre and function of mucosal and blood antibodies in samples donated by people receiving different influenza vaccines. We will additionally analyse the frequency and function of T cells in both the blood and airway tissues from these donors. Furthermore, we will collaborate with partners of the MOVE consortium, a new partnership with AstraZeneca and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to achieve these goals. Depending on project progress and direction, placement opportunities may arise with MOVE partners during the PhD project.

The PhD student will be supervised by Dr Ryan Thwaites (NHLI).

Application Process

To apply, please submit a one-page personal statement detailing your academic background and research interests, a CV and contact information of two professional/academic references to Dr Ryan Thwaites (r.thwaites@imperial.ac.uk). Informal inquiries should also be directed to Dr Ryan Thwaites (r.thwaites@imperial.ac.uk). The studentship is expected to start in October 2026.

Eligibility

The ideal candidate should have strong skills in human biology, an excellent academic track record and have obtained an undergraduate degree at 2:1 level or higher and, normally, a Master’s degree with merit or higher (or non-UK equivalents) in Immunology or another related field. Applicants without a Masters degree but with significant research experience are welcome to apply. Due to funder restrictions, this opportunity is only available to students eligible for ‘home’ rate tuition fees. Eligible candidates should be self-motivated, proactive, have excellent oral/written communication abilities and be able to work well within a multidisciplinary translational research team.

Funding notes

This position is available as a fully funded PhD studentship, including 3 years of tuition fees (home rate only) and provides a 3-year, tax-free stipend of £23,805

Please note that candidates must fulfil the college admission criteria.

Application deadline: 3rd July 2026