Research Fellow in Microbiology

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in microbiology, gut microbiome or microbial ecology and functional foods? Are you interested to explore the innovation potential of a scientific discovery to bring the research to marketplace by working with food industry stakeholders? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

We are looking for a highly motivated Research Fellow to join our group engaged in diverse aspects of research on nutrition-microbiota interactions, with emphasis on plant-based proteins. Working alongside our industry partners and the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC), you will lead projects using our novel in vitro model system (MiGut) to assess the effects of alternative proteins on the human gut microbiota and gut health. This project will use a combination of in vitro models of the human colonic microbiota, small-scale human dietary interventions, analytical chemistry and both culture-based and culture-independent measurement of the gut microbiome to assess the impact of new and alternative proteins on gut health. Specifically, this project will measure the ability of new/alternative proteins to modify the composition of the gut microbiota, influence microbial production of beneficial metabolites (e.g. short chain fatty acids, amino acids and derivatives, bile acids, small phenolic acids) and improve markers human gut health (e.g. intestinal permeability and inflammation).

You will join the multidisciplinary and diverse Microbiome & Nutritional Sciences Group led by Dr Anthony Buckley, and collaborate with colleagues from Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, and Biological Sciences. You will benefit from collaborations (industry and academia), international conference attendance, and tailored entrepreneurship training. You could also lead your own alternative protein agile projects within NAPIC.

You will have a PhD in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Biochemistry, or Biological Sciences or a closely related discipline together with a strong background in gut microbiome and functional foods. You will also have a positive attitude to collaborative research and the drive to make a significant contribution to making this ground-breaking project a success. Experience working with in vitro models and molecular microbiology is required. You will also have good organisational and communication skills, and the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team. You will be encouraged to develop your initiative and independence and will have to opportunity to undertake training and career development offered by the University of Leeds.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Anthony Buckley, Associate Professor in Gut Microbiology

Email: A.Buckley1@Leeds.ac.uk

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