Immunology
Immunologists study how the body’s defence system (the immune system) functions and treat patients with immune system disorders.
You’ll provide support for the diagnosis and management of conditions such as HIV, multiple sclerosis and tuberculosis.
Life as an immunologist
Your work will be a mixture of clinical and laboratory duties. Your clinical work will be mainly with outpatients and will involve diagnosing immunodeficiency (diseases where part of the immune system is missing or doesn’t function properly), allergies and autoimmune disorders (where the immune system attacks itself) such as rheumatoid arthritis. You’ll treat patients with drugs to suppress the immune system, intravenous therapies for antibody replacement and desensitisation immunotherapy (giving gradually increasing doses of allergen extracts by injection, drops or tablets). Your laboratory work will underpin clinical work on immunological diseases, and you’ll be involved in the interpretation and validation of results and quality assurance. You could also be one of a small number of immunologists providing laboratory support for organ transplants, to minimise rejection of transplanted organs in patients. You’ll work regular hours but will often provide out of hours telephone advice on laboratory and clinical matters to other doctors.How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the Pay for doctors page.How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
What are my chances of starting a career in immunology?
There are currently 83 immunology consultants working in the NHS in England. In 2021, there were 33 applications for six immunology specialty training places.How to become an immunologist
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become an immunologist, which will take a minimum of seven years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.Where a career as a doctor in immunology can take you
You could:- specialise or conduct research in areas such as rheumatology, HIV medicine or transplantation
- teach medical students or postgraduate students in training
- get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
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Training Programme Director for Immunology (London)
London, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Specialty Doctor
Hounslow, TW3 1SE
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- West London NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor
London, SE5 8UH
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor
Brunel Road, , RG7 4AB
- Salary :
- £59175.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Sue Ryder
-
Specialty Doctor in Paediatrics
Warwick, CV34 5BW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Dermatology
Bristol, BS2 8HW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
-
Specialty Doctor in ENT
Southampton, SO16 6YD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Maxillofacial
Leicester, LE15WW
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Ophthalmology
Huddersfield, HD3 3EA
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Dermatology
Colchester, CO4 5JL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Psychotherapy
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4QD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Anaesthetics
Barnsley, S75 2EP
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Dermatology
Northampton, NN1 5BD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northampton General Hospital
-
Speciality Doctor in Rehabilitation Medicine
Burslem, ST6 7AG
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Oral Surgery
Crumpsall, M8 5RB
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Forensic Psychiatry
Middlesbrough, TS4 3AF
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Paediatrics- Developmental
BANGOR, LL57 2PW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
Specialty Doctor in Adult Community
Thurrock, RM17 5TT
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine
Bridgend, CF31 1RQ
- Salary :
- £62117.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Specialist Doctor in Medical Microbiology
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £100870.00 to £111441.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Ormskirk, L39 2AZ
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine
Guildford, GU2 7XX
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Respiratory Medicine
Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6SE
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine
Carlisle, CA2 7HY
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Paediatrics FGH
Barrow in Furness, LA14 4LF
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - CAMHS
Stafford, ST19 9QT
- Salary :
- £90000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Active Care Group
-
Urgent Care Doctor
London, NW8 9NH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth
-
Specialty Doctor - Orthodontics
Southend, SS0 0RY
- Salary :
- £61542.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Orthodontics
Southend, SS0 0RY
- Salary :
- £61542.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Cardiology
Scarborough, YO12 6QL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Anaesthetics
Harrogate, HG2 7SX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Medical Research Doctor
Cambridge, CB24 3BA
- Salary :
- £45000.00 to £60000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Optimum Patient Care
-
NHS Locum Specialty Doctor in CAMHS
Rochford, SS4 1RB
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Anaesthetics and ICU
Yeovil, BA21 4AT
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Specialty Doctor in Stroke Medicine
Cwmbran, NP44 8YN
- Salary :
- £62117.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Bank Doctor in Emergency Department ST4+
Victoria Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3BL
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- East Cheshire NHS Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Walsall, WS2 9PS
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Senior Locally Employed Doctor in Microbiology
Manchester, M13 9WL
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor in Special Care Dentistry
London, WC1E 6DG
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
London, E9 6SR
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Research Doctor in Pelvic Exenteration
Chelsea, SW3 6JJ
- Salary :
- £52656.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Psychiatry Lewes & Eastbourne
Eastbourne, BN21 3UU
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor in Community Child Health
Ham, TW10 7NF
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Locally Employed Doctor
Manchester, M8 5RB
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Emergency Medicine
Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor -Forensic Psychiatry
London, W12 0AE
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Head & Neck - Specialty Doctor
Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST4 6QG
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
-
Specialty Doctor (Part-time)
Dundee, DD5 1PL
- Salary :
- £59500.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
Specialty Doctor - Male PICU
Stevenage, SG1 4YS
- Salary :
- £90000.00 to £90000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
Bank On Call Doctor
North East, DL1 2LN
- Salary :
- £325.00 to £450.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Cygnet Health Care
-
Trust Doctor - Occupational Health
Exeter, EX2 5DW
- Salary :
- £44436.00 to £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Cavendish House
Hastings, TN343AD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
GP & Health Assessment Doctor
Riccarton, EH12 9GF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nuffield Health
-
Bank- Speciality Doctor - Haematology
Essex, SS0 0RY
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Speciality Doctor Community Paediatrics
Litchfield, WS13 6EE
- Salary :
- £52530.00 to £82400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Emergency Medicine
Scarborough, YO12 6QL
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialty Doctor - Palliative Medicine
Dorchester, DT1 2SL
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Weldmar Hospicecare
-
Specialty Doctor - Rehabilitation Medicine
Exeter, EX2 4UD
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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These organisations have further information about being an immunologist, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
British Society for Immunology
And hear from Scott Pereira who's already working as a doctor in immunology.