UG Summer Placement 2026 - University of Edinburgh - Laird group

This project aims to improve how extracellular vesicles and other nanoscale biological particles are detected and analysed using high-sensitivity flow cytometry. These particles—including viral particles, microvesicles, and immune-derived extracellular vesicles—play important roles in infection, immune signalling, inflammation, and disease progression. Because they are extremely small (often below 200 nm), they sit at the limits of instrument sensitivity, making robust calibration and validation essential to ensure accurate, reproducible, and biologically meaningful data.

The student will be fully integrated into the IRR Flow Cytometry Facility team at the University of Edinburgh, undertaking their own defined project while contributing to day-to-day facility operations. They will establish and optimise workflows for small-particle detection, including assessing instrument performance, determining limits of detection, refining threshold settings, and developing standard operating procedures to ensure consistency across instruments. The role will also involve sample preparation and assay optimisation for extracellular vesicle analysis, incorporating staining strategies, appropriate controls, and quantitative data interpretation. The student will develop proficiency in data acquisition, analysis, and visualisation using specialised software, enabling confident handling of complex datasets and generation of reproducible results.

They will receive one-to-one training and mentorship from technical staff, building confidence and independence in experimental design, troubleshooting, and project management. Weekly lab meetings will provide structured opportunities for progress updates, feedback, and collaborative problem-solving.

Beyond technical training, the student will participate in institute seminars, community events, and outreach initiatives such as facility tours and school demonstrations, developing communication and networking skills while gaining insight into the wider impact of research infrastructure. Throughout the placement, they will interact with a diverse community of facility users across IRR, the wider University, and external collaborators, engaging with research spanning flow cytometry, microscopy, single-cell technologies, and multidisciplinary biomedical programmes. This integrated experience ensures meaningful contribution to facility operations while progressing a scientifically robust project and developing technical and professional skills relevant to research support, core facilities, and technical careers in academia and industry.