2 PhD Studentships Royal Holloway, University of London

March 4, 2008

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The following 2 PhD studentships are currently advertised in my group:

Project 1: The evolution of pseudogamy and the emergence of diversity and altruism.

Project 2: Lymphocyte homeostasis in man;
Measurement and modelling of thymic versus peripheral generation of na?ve lymphocytes in the maintenance of normal T-cell pools

Description project 1:

The evolution of pseudogamy and the emergence of diversity and altruism.

Main supervisor: Prof. Vincent Jansen, co-supervisor: Dr Ian Barnes

This PhD Studentship aims to investigate how diversity of and altruism emerge using mathematical modelling and simulation studies. The research will be inspired by the evolution of pseudogamy. Pseudogamy is a form of reproduction where the males do not contribute genetic material to the next generation, despite the fact that the females can only reproduce if they have mated. This studentship is suitable for candidates with a degree(UK 2.1 degree or higher or equivalent thereof) in biology and proven skills in mathematical modelling/computer programming or for applicants with a degree in a quantitative subject (e.g. physics, mathematical or computer science) and an affinity for biology. The studentship will cover fees at UK-EU level and a maintenance stipend of approximately ?14,000 per annum for 3 years. We will not consider candidates from outside the EU unless the candidate has additional funding available. The selected candidate will start in or close to October 2008 wil
l work in the research groups of Jansen (Mathematical Biology) and Barnes (Molecular phylogenetics and ecology).

If you require further information on this studentship, see or http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/Vacancies/2008_Jansen.doc contact Vincent.jansen@rhul.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 19 March 2008. The interviews are planned for the week of 21 April 2008. To apply, use the form on http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/Vacancies/2008_PhDapplicationForm.pdf or generate your own form using http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Registry/Admissions/applyonline.html. Please send the completed form, together with a recent CV, to Prof. Vincent Jansen, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX by post or e-mail. If you use the online application, please make sure you send a copy of the application form by email to Vincent.jansen@rhul.ac.uk.

Desrciption project 2:
Joint PhDStudentship with Royal Holloway- St Georges University of London
Lymphocyte homeostasis in man;
Measurement and modelling of thymic versus peripheral generation of na?ve lymphocytes in the maintenance of normal T-cell pools

Lead Supervisor: Derek Macallan, Professor in Infectious Diseases and Medicine, Centre for Infection,
St George’s, University of London.
Co-supervisor: Vincent Jansen, Professor of Mathematical Biology, School of Biological Sciences,
Royal Holloway, University of London.

Project Description

Lymphocyte populations persist because dying cells are continually replaced, unless replacement fails, as in HIV infection, with devastating consequences. Within this context, some clonal populations must be retained long-term in order to confer “immunological memory”. How this is achieved is poorly understood. This project seeks to extend our understanding of human lymphocyte physiology by combining in vivo measurements of lymphocyte kinetics in human studies in Dr Macallan’s laboratory at St George’s with theoretical modelling and in silico experiments in Dr Jansen’s group at RHUL. We will specifically study the role of na?ve cells (defined by surface markers such as CD31) in regenerating peripheral na?ve populations and investigate the effect of ageing on this process. We will compare in vivo na?ve T-cell labelling data with data on rates of recent thymic emigration from the abundance of T-cell receptor rearrangement DNA excision circles (TREC). This combined approach will
provide important new insights by relating new in vivo data with novel mathematical and statistical tools for interpretation in order to develop new conceptual frameworks. The proposed project will consist of both laboratory and theoretical elements. Supervision would be jointly undertaken by the two supervisors; the student would need to spend time on both campuses across all three years.

How to apply
For further enquiries, see http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/Vacancies/2008_SWAN_Macallan&Jansen.doc contact Derek Macallan (macallan “at” sgul.ac.uk) or Vincent Jansen (Vincent.jansen “at” rhul.ac.uk). This project will provide fees at UK-EU level and a maintenance stipend. We are seeking candidates with a degree (UK 2.1 degree or higher (or equivalent)) in biology or biomedical sciences with either relevant laboratory skills of relevant mathematical/statistical/computer science skills. To apply please send a CV, an application form <http://www.swlacademicnetwork.ac.uk/documents/PhDSWanApplicationform08.doc> (which can be downloaded from http://www.swlacademicnetwork.ac.uk/PhDStudentships.html), plus two letters of reference, as well as the title and supervisors name to enquiries@swlacademicnetwork.ac.uk <mailto:enquiries@swlacademicnetwork.ac.uk> by 7th April 2008.

Vincent Jansen

School of Biological Sciences
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, U.K.

Tel : (..) 44 1784 443179
Fax : (..) 44 1784 470756
Email: vincent.jansen@rhul.ac.uk
Web : http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/AcademicStaff/Jansen/

Vincent.Jansen@rhul.ac.uk

Scholarship Tags: Holloway, PhD, Royal, studentships, University of London