Predict and Prepare for Arbovirus Introduction to the UK

This project has the broad aims of better understanding the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the UK and developing and evaluating vector control strategies to mitigate this risk. One highly promising vector control strategy exploits the bacterium Wolbachia, to either render populations incapable of transmitting pathogens, or to suppress the mosquito population itself. In collaboration with partners, we will undertake initial steps to develop novel Wolbachia-based control strategies suitable for the suppression of Ae. albopictus, a highly invasive and competent vector of many arboviruses. Such approaches could be critical in repressing the incursion of Ae. albopictus into the UK, and/or forming a biological barrier that prevents establishment. The project will develop mosquito lines that are capable of being used in such an approach and these lines will be evaluated for the suppression capacity against a range of different Aedes albopictus populations from Europe. Data obtained from these experiments will be integrated into models to determine how this approach and other contemporary and conventional vector control measures could be deployed in the event of an Aedes albopictus-transmitted disease outbreak in the UK. This is critical research to inform UK government strategies to manage the incursion of Aedes albopictus and associated arbovirus risks.

This PhD is a collaboration between the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool and the UK Health Security Agency. In addition to the benefits associated with the HPRU, the PhD position will be based within the Mosquito Symbiosis and Infection (MosSI) group, in the Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Supervisors for the project include Profs Grant Hughes (LSTM) and Matthew Baylis (UoL) and Dr Jolyon Medlock (UKHSA).

The exact focus of this PhD will be agreed with the successful applicant based on their own background, and research interests. This is a brief summary.

This studentship is funded by the NIHR HPRU EZI-3 project.

The studentship includes:

• Stipend set at the UKRI Minimum Doctoral Stipend rate. For 25/26 this is £20,780 per annum.
• Tuition/programme fees at the 'Home' rate
• Contribution to research support fees for; lab consumables, travel, computing hardware, publications.

The duration of the funding package is 3 years.

There is no additional funding available to support travel to the UK or with costs associated with a UK Visa application.

Academic:

• Applicants must hold at least a first class or high upper second-class Honours degree, or a degree of comparable standard awarded from outside the UK.
• A Masters degree (at merit or distinction preferable) is also welcomed, but not a pre-requisite.
• Where an applicant does not meet the Honours degree requirement (e.g. they hold a lower second-class Honours degree), they may be eligible to apply if they also hold a Master's degree with an awarded distinction in an area relevant to the MRC DTP. To be considered for this exemption, the qualification must be awarded at time of application and candidates must provide an award certificate and transcript for both qualifications. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider Master's qualifications that have not yet been awarded for this purpose.

Residence:

Candidates of all nationalities are eligible to apply to this studentship and we encourage applicants that are nationals of a Low-Middle-Income Country

NIHR is the UK's largest funder of health and care research and provides the people, facilities and technology that enables research to thrive.

NIHR HPRUs undertake high quality research that enhances the ability of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to protect the public's health and minimise the health impact of emergencies. There are 13 HPRUs across England.

The HPRU-EZI is a partnership between the University of Liverpool, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), University of Oxford, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and UKHSA, in collaboration with University of Glasgow. HPRU-EZI has been running since 2014, and supports and strengthens UKHSA in its role protecting England from emerging infections and zoonoses (i.e. those which spread from animals to humans). HPRU-EZI has played significant roles in the past in the UK response to Ebola, Zika, COVID-19 and mpox. We will continue to address the major emerging threats; these are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks (e.g. dengue and Lyme), the respiratory route (e.g. COVID-19 and influenza), or directly through contact (e.g. Lassa fever).

For further details please see our brochure and our website:

http://hpruezi.nihr.ac.uk/media/artlflhc/hpru-ezi-brochure.pdf

http://hpruezi.nihr.ac.uk

The overarching aims of this programme are to:

Conduct the highest quality research to help UKHSA protect us from emerging infections.

Engage and involve patients and the public, especially marginalised communities, to address health inequalities.

Train the next generation of researchers to address emerging infections.

Collaborate widely to ensure the maximum value and highest impact of our work, saving lives and livelihoods.

We will achieve our objectives through five research themes:

• Predict and Prevent
• Clinical Characterisation
• Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions
• Medical Countermeasures
• Data, Modelling and Artificial Intelligence

The impact of our work will be to significantly increase the UKHSA's ability to tackle current and future threats, thus informing policy, enhancing decision making, strengthening services and facilitating responses.

Academic Career Development Program

All HPRU-funded PhD students are part of the NIHR academy, which gives access to a wide range of excellent career development opportunities (https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/nihr-academy). The HPRU-EZI runs a bespoke academic career development program, which HPRU PhD students are expected to engage in. This program comprises a variety of training, development and mentorship opportunities beyond the individual research group in which the PhD student is based. All HPRU students will have co-supervision from UKHSA and at least one higher education institution. Attendance at the career development events is covered by HPRU career development funding and does not come from the individual PhD project funds. Attendance at these events is expected of HPRU PhD students.

Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement, and Participation (PPIEP) will be an integral element of this PhD project. The project will have an allocated PPIEP budget. The PhD student will be expected to develop and lead PPIEP activities throughout the PhD timeline, and will be supported by the PPIEP leads and public contributors on the PPIEP working group. More information on this area can be found at: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/ppi-patient-and-public-involvement-resources-appl...

People from diverse backgrounds have historically been under-represented in the health and social care research talent pipeline. We are committed to addressing under-representation in research training awards and encourage applications from diverse groups. Dedicated mentoring can be arranged with a focus on supporting people from underrepresented groups under the career development programme (identifying mentors, career progression support etc. outside of thesis supervision).

Candidates are eligible to apply from Thursday 26th June 2025.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, candidates must:

1. Submit a copy of their Curriculum Vitae to iicon@lstmed.ac.uk
2. Complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/QZRwtXZeca

This application form will ask you to:

• Provide your personal details
• Answer 7 questions (up to 1250 characters [approx 250 words] per question)
• Detail your qualifications, any relevant research experience and your English language proficiency
• List any contextual information that you feel is important for assessors to know (optional)
• Provide diversity monitoring information

Deadline for Stage 1 Application is noon UK time 17th July 2025. Applications are only considered complete if LSTM has received a copy of your Curriculum Vitae and a completed form.

Successful Candidates

Candidates that are successful during Stage 1 will be notified by Friday 25th July.

You will then be invited to interview scheduled for Wednesday 6th August and will be required to submit documents to evidence that the information provided in Stage 1 is accurate prior to interview.