Embedded Files
Calling all ambitious early career researchers and academics from Indonesia! Here's your chance to embark on an enriching journey at the University of Sheffield for up to a year.
The deadline for submission is 31st July 2024 (Wednesday).
Supported by the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and delivered in partnership with the British Council, the Early Career Fellowship Programme will enable three early career researchers/academics from Indonesia who have recently completed their PhD or equivalent qualification, to complete visiting placements in the UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub) at the University of Sheffield. These placements are scheduled to commence in the 2024/25 academic year.
The Early Career Fellowship Programme is guided by the Tomorrow’s Talent ISPF theme and is designed with the following objectives in mind:
Empower selected early career researchers/academics to establish a solid foundation for their careers in research and innovation.
Foster inclusivity by broadening access to opportunities for researchers, especially those from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in their respective fields. This includes individuals who have yet to secure a full-time research-related position or an academic role with a specific focus on research.
Through this initiative, we endeavour to not only nurture talent but also to create a more diverse and dynamic landscape within the research and academia sectors.
The UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub), spearheaded by Prof. Tuck Seng Wong, has recently been established with a substantial financial backing of £7.6M from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This collaborative initiative involves four UK universities (Sheffield, Cambridge, York, and Kent) and one Thai university (Chulalongkorn), in conjunction with seventeen additional project partners spanning South East Asia. These partners include vaccine manufacturers, research institutions, academic entities, and governmental agencies in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore. As an integral part of the UK Vaccine Network, the UK-SEA Vax Hub is dedicated to advancing three pivotal vaccine manufacturing technologies - mRNA-based, protein subunit-based, and viral vector-based vaccines. The hub's central focus is on infectious diseases, with a priority on dengue and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), recognizing their potential to incite epidemics or pandemics in South East Asia. The hub has two-fold objectives: addressing the challenges in vaccine manufacturing identified collaboratively with partners in South East Asia, and enhancing the region's preparedness for current and future epidemics/pandemics.
This cohort of fellows will seamlessly integrate into the UK-SEA Vax Hub, gaining access to its rich research expertise, cutting-edge infrastructure, and diverse training opportunities. This integration will not only facilitate their professional growth but also enable them to cultivate valuable networks within both the UK and South East Asia.
Vaccination stands as one of the most cost-effective and impactful measures in public health, vital for curbing infectious diseases. Not only does it play a pivotal role in poverty alleviation and inequality reduction, but it also serves as a cornerstone for attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Despite its significance, global vaccination coverage remains inadequate, largely due to inefficiencies within the vaccine supply chain (VSC).
Building sustainable VSCs and logistics systems is imperative for the success of immunization programs. Optimizing the VSC is crucial to ensure safe and efficient delivery of vaccines to recipients. Encompassing personnel, systems, equipment, and activities across all stages from production to distribution, the VSC forms the backbone of effective immunization initiatives.
Moreover, there is a global demand for innovative vaccine platforms that are rapid, cost-effective, and stable to replace traditional methods. Virus-like particles (VLPs) represent a cutting-edge vaccine platform known for its versatility and adaptability. VLPs have already been successfully utilized in several commercial vaccines, including the hepatitis B vaccine.
This fellowship programme focuses on (A) the analysis and modelling of VSC, with the aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of vaccine delivery systems, thereby advancing global health outcomes and contributing to the achievement of broader developmental objectives, or (B) vaccine design using VLP platform to address infectious diseases prevalent in Southeast Asia.
Page updated
Report abuse