Infection and Immunity

Overview

The Principal Investigators offering projects are internationally recognised leaders in infection and immunity, providing a unique opportunity for networking and furthering the students’ careers.

The Division of Infection & Immunity is an internationally renowned centre for research and graduate training in human immunology, pathogen biology and the host-pathogen interaction. 

The division includes the Research Department of Infection and the Institute of Immunity & Transplantation. It has strong international links with American, European, and developing world research centres, including the newly established African Health Research Institute in Durban. We are commited to research-based teaching and host a dynamic community of postgraduate students. 

The Infection and Immunity programme from University College London (UCL) provides research training in basic and translational science and the offering reflects our broad-ranging research expertise. We also have a strong track record in training clinician scientists, supported by fellowships from the Wellcome Trust, MRC and BBSRC.

Why study this degree at UCL?

In addition to a vibrant and collaborative research community, we have weekly internal seminars and a yearly PhD colloquium where PhD students present their results. A postgraduate club runs on a termly basis where invited speakers, who are leaders in their field (academia, pharma, biotech, law, politics, etc.), discuss their career experience. These initiatives facilitate networking and help students to become part of a community in the division.

Careers

Recent graduates have secured postdoctoral positions in universities or research institutions in the UK, Europe, the US and Middle East. Others are working in research and development for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies or in scientific journalism, patent law, health consultancy and management.

Employability

A strength of the Division is its position at the interface between basic research and clinical medicine, fostered by UCL Partners, a consortium bringing together UCL with major hospital trusts in the area. Basic research in infection and immunology is also strong in the Division. 

About 60% of our graduates carry on in academia and another 25% choose the medical field as clinician scientists or research scientists in translational research areas. UCL's reputation also benefits those graduates who choose to enter clinical trial management, science writing/publishing, biotech/pharma, or intellectual/property/patent law.