Decoding inflammatory memory in psoriasis remission and recurrence to enable personalised medicine

Award details

Start date: 1st October 2025

Duration: 3 years

This project will use a multi-layered approach to characterise the specific cell states and molecules underpinning inflammatory memory during remission and recurrence of the common inflammatory skin disease psoriasis. It will combine the computational analysis of single-cell multiome (transcriptome and epigenome) datasets and the experimental characterisation of patient material with techniques such as multi-dimensional flow-cytometry.

This project has the potential to identify the cellular and molecular states that precede clinical recurrence, which may inform innovative personalised ‘as needed’ biologic therapy approaches. This research is generalisable to other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases that have shared pathogenic mechanisms and biologic therapies.

The student will join a supportive, high performing multi-disciplinary research team at St John’s Institute of Dermatology (King’s College London), a world-leading centre of excellence in skin research and clinical care. The student will have supervisors with expertise spanning psoriasis, personalised medicine, transcriptomics research and computational data analysis. The student will undertake a structured training programme to equip them with both analytical and experimental research skills. The project leverages a unique collaboration between St John’s Institute of Dermatology and Wellcome Sanger Institute (world leader in single cell methods and skin biology).

While previous experience in computational data analysis is desirable, training in R/Python programming will be provided if needed. The applicant should be highly motivated, striving for research and training excellence, and an effective interdisciplinary communicator.

Award value

The studentship is fully funded for three years. This includes home tuition fees, stipend, and project consumables. Stipend: Students will receive a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate of (£22,750 for AY 2025/26) as a living allowance.

Eligibility criteria

The candidate should have a BSc degree (minimum upper second) or MSc in a relevant biomedical discipline.

English Language Requirements:

Band D

Open to applicants eligible for ‘Home’ fee status only. 

Application process

Please submit an application for the Basic and Medical Bioscience Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time) using the KCL online application form. Before completing the application click here for information about the programme, requirements and details of what documentation and information needs to be included in your application. Please include in your application: · Details of previous employment where applicable · A 500-word personal statement outlining your motivation for undertaking postgraduate research should be uploaded to the Supporting statement section. · References: two supporting references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. The prospective supervisors must not be given as referees. Applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the requirement to submit the reference before the application deadline. In the application form under ‘Funding information’: Please select option 5 ‘I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London’ and under ‘Award Scheme Code or Name’ add 20252BMB08. Failing to include this code might result in you not being considered for this funding. Provisional interview date: Friday 13th June 2025 It is highly recommended to informally approach Dr Satveer Mahil (satveer.mahil@kcl.ac.uk) before making an application. For administrative and application process enquiries please contact BMBS PGR.