Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Warren in the Food, Microbiome and Health and Delivering Sustainable Wheat programmes and at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK

Background:

The post will be based in the Warren group at Quadram. The Warren group focusses on understanding the impact of carbohydrate structure on digestion and the gut microbiome in health and disease. Based within the Food, Microbes and Health strategic programme at the Quadram Institute, the group aims to leverage expertise in physical chemistry of carbohydrates, advanced gut models and 'omics technology to develop innovative microbiome targeted foods. We aim to take a holistic approach with research spanning crop and agricultural science, food production, gut modelling and gut diseases.   

The role:

The post holder will use the range of advanced in vitro models, in conjunction with human clinical studies, to explore the impact of novel carbohydrate containing foods on the gut microbiome and on health. This will require experience of shotgun metagenomics approaches for studying the gut microbiome as well as microbial metabolite analysis, and the use of in vitro digestion and model colon systems. The post holder will also be involved in the development of in vivo intubation studies leading on from the in vitro experiments in which samples of duodenal and ileal microbiota will be taken for analysis, in addition to colonic samples.

The ideal candidate:

We are looking to hire and enthusiastic Research Scientist with a background in dietary fibre, gut health or gut microbiology to contribute to the scientific aims of two major research programmes, Food, Microbiome and Health and Delivering Sustainable Wheat. 

The post holder will have a PhD in microbiology, nutrition, food science, biochemistry, or related area. They will have experience of working with in vitro models of the human digestive tract and it is advantageous if they have knowledge in DNA extraction and shotgun metagenomics analysis.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £35,300 to £43,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post with an expected end date of 31 March 2028.

For further information and details of how to apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004701. This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

Interviews will be held on 12 August 2024.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects all employees to share and display these values. To support our commitment, we have a range of family, faith and diversity friendly working arrangements to help all staff achieve excellence in their area of work.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

About the Quadram Institute:

The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food. A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a state-of-the-art building on the Norwich Research Park. This is one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute. (https://quadram.ac.uk/).

The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.