Main Purpose of the Job

Carry out contracted work on a European-funded innovation project that seeks to develop biofortified plant foods using domestic hydroponics systems. The post-holder will test specific changes in the hydroponics solutions and their effects on plant micronutrient content, and test the relative bioavailability of the targeted micronutrients in the food plants using established models of human gastrointestinal digestion and of intestinal uptake and absorption. The job also involves communicating with the other project partners including an SME, preparing various reports, contributing to a range of dissemination activities, and working to tight deadlines.

Key Relationships

- Reports to line manager Paul Kroon and co-signatory Martin Warren
- Works with peers in the Kroon group including Priscilla Day and PhD students, and a new SC6 post-holder.
- Collaborates with Maria Traka and members of the Food Databanks National Capability team on the PERNUG project.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Undertaking experimental research to investigate hydroponic biofortification of food plants with minerals and vitamins and assess their bioavailability

65

Contribute to the writing of reports required by EIT Food and to the preparation of manuscripts for publication

15

Attend project meetings and group meetings including the preparation and presentation of slides covering progress

10

Undertake a broad range of dissemination activities to promote the project and the Quadram Institute

5

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in biology, biochemistry or related subject, or equivalent experience

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

In-depth knowledge of a relevant field of research: Biochemistry, plant biology, biofortification, analytical chemistry

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience of experimental research in a biology/biochemistry laboratory

Essential

Experience of writing scientific reports and drafting manuscripts for publication

Essential

Experience of hydroponics

Desirable

Experience of mammalian cell culture

Desirable

Experience of analytical chemistry and the quantification of plant / food micronutrients

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Ability to collaborate effectively

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Excellent organisational and time management skills

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the values of the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Willingness to work outside the standard hours as required

Essential

Quadram Institute Bioscience

The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, developing solutions to worldwide challenges in food-related disease and human health.

We are engaged in fundamental and translational food and health research, alongside clinical studies, endoscopy and industry, working together to become a leading international hub for food and health research, combining scientific excellence and clinical expertise, delivering impacts on patient care and accelerating innovation.

The Quadram Institute is a diverse and multicultural scientific community. We thrive on our international and European links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

For more information about working at Quadram Institute Bioscience, please click here.

Department

Food Innovation and Health

Group Details

The post-holder will join Paul Kroon, who leads a research group in the Food Innovation and Health Institute Strategic Programme of QIB. The group's research seeks to understand the contributions of specific micronutrients found in plant foods on human health and to exploit this understanding by developing new plant foods that deliver improved nutrition. The research has historically largely focused on polyphenols and to a lesser extent other phytochemicals, but has recently expanded to include particular minerals and vitamins. There is also a strong interest and research activity focused on human gut microbiota as an important contributor to the metabolism of polyphenols, and also on the ability of polyphenol-rich foods to beneficially modify the gut microbiota.
The group currently has one postdoc and five PhD students and also works closely with two analytical chemists, a human studies facilitator and a bioinformatician. An additional post is also being recruited to that will provide project management support.

Advert Text

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Paul Kroon in the Food Innovation and Health Programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

The role:

The successful candidate will work on a European-funded innovation project that seeks to develop biofortified plant foods using domestic hydroponics systems. The post-holder will test specific changes in the hydroponics solutions and their effects on plant micronutrient content, and test the relative bioavailability of the targeted micronutrients in the food plants using established models of human gastrointestinal digestion and of intestinal uptake and absorption.

This role also involves communicating with the other project partners including an SME, preparing various reports, contributing to a range of dissemination activities, and working to tight deadlines.

The ideal candidate:

Applicants should possess a PhD in biology, biochemistry or a similar subject. They will have in-depth knowledge and experience of a relevant field of scientific research, such as biochemistry, plant biology, biofortification and analytical chemistry. Experience of writing scientific reports is essential, along with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £32,255 to £39,345 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This post is a fulltime position for a period of nine months in the first instance, with possibility of extension. 

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/).