The UCL Institute of Child Health and GlaxoSmithKline offer a 4-year CASE PhD Studentship in 'Genetic Modification of Cell Lines to Obtain an Improved Host for Biopharmaceutical Protein Production'

Closing date :12pm midday on the 25th of April

Applications are invited for a 4-year BBSRC funded Industrial CASE studentship commencing in October 2012. BBSRC Industrial CASE awards offer PhD students the opportunity of high quality research training within both an academic and an industrial setting. This studentship, based within the Molecular Immunology unit at UCL-ICH, will entail a minimum of 6 months training at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Stevenage.

The studentship will investigate the modification of mammalian cells routinely used for the manufacture of recombinant biopharmaceutical proteins and gene therapy vectors, to obtain improved production cell lines. The aim of the research will be to use state-of-the art techniques such as next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to generate a novel expression platform suitable for protein production and compare this platform to those currently available within the field. The project will involve techniques including DNA manipulation and cloning, polymerase chain reaction, next generation sequencing, flow cytometry, culturing cells, protein expression, virology and other molecular assays, coupled with bioinformatical analysis. UCL also offers an extensive extracurricular training and development program.

For further information or to arrange for an informal visit please contact: Dr Steven Howe, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH. Phone +44(0)207 905 2795. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A stipend of £18,847 per annum (inclusive of GSK contributions) is available and fees are funded at the UK/EU rate.

Applications are sought from highly motivated bioscience or genomics graduates wishing to do research in a biomedical context, and who expect to graduate with a UK 1st class or upper 2nd class honours degree or equivalent. Experience in molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics would be useful but not essential. In accordance with BBSRC funding restrictions, only UK citizens and EU/EEA nationals are eligible to apply. Details on residence eligibility can be found on the BBSRC website:

http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Guidelines/studentship_eligibility.pdf#search=%22student%22

To apply, please send a covering letter, CV and details of two referees to Mrs Sue Ballard, Departmental Administrator, Molecular Immunology Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London. WC1N 1EH, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Closing date for applications is 12pm midday on the 25th of April. Please indicate whether you would be available for potential interview in early May.