The role of virally encoded immune-evasins in preventing immunological clearance

About the Project

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly successful pathogen – almost everyone will be infected at some point in their lives, and the immune system never clears it. As long as people remain healthy then it rarely causes disease, however it is the leading infectious cause of congenital malformation and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised. Yet despite over 60 years of research and multiple attempts, no vaccine has ever been licensed. This is in part because HCMV has one of the largest genomes of any human virus, and has co-evolved with us for millions of years, over which time it has established a broad range of proteins that interfere with host immune function and stop infected cells from being killed.

Natural Killer cells are key to viral control and we have previously shown that HCMV encodes multiple mechanisms to engage NK cell receptors to inhibit attack. Study of these mechanisms has revealed how HCMV prevents immunological clearance, but also provides a means to decode fundamental immunological functions and to understand which are most important for pathogen control. Yet we know that we have not discovered all of the immune-evasion functions within HCMV. Screening has identified additional proteins, which we will now follow up functionally and mechanistically, providing a complete picture of all the ways that HCMV manipulates our immune system. An intact understanding of these processes will enable us to work out which immunological pathways need to be inhibited (or activated) in order to develop effective vaccines against challenging pathogens such as HCMV.

This PhD will offer training in molecular biology, cell biology, virology, and immunology – providing a strong suite of skills for the successful applicant. The lab is well funded, with grants from the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council, and regularly publishes high impact papers. For more information please contact Professor Richard Stanton (StantonRJ@cardiff.ac.uk).

How to Apply:

This studentship has a start date of October 2026. In order to be considered you must submit a formal application via Cardiff University’s online application service.

There is a box at the top right of the page labelled ‘Apply’, please ensure you select the correct ‘Qualification’ (Doctor of Philosophy), the correct ‘Mode of Study’ (Full Time) and the correct ‘Start Date’ (October 2026). This will take you to the application portal.

In order to be considered candidates must submit the following information:

• Personal/Supporting Statement
• CV
• Evidence of Qualifications (Official Certificates and/or Transcripts)
• References x 2
• Proof of English Language (if applicable): English language requirements for postgraduate students - Study - Cardiff University

Funding Notes

This 3 year PhD studentship will be funded by the Wales Applied Virology Unit.

UKRI level minimum stipend of £20,780 per year for your living costs.

The studentship is open to Home (UK) students and EU students with 'Settled' status.

Funding will cover UK fees and stipend at the UKRI rate.