Main Purpose of the Job

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the group of Professor Alison Mather at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

The successful post holder will analyse and interpret existing large collections of microbial whole-genome sequence data from Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies using various bioinformatics approaches to address the project aims. The post holder will occasionally present research findings at project meetings, scientific conferences and outreach/training events. There is scope to develop new projects within the team within the strategic remit of microbial food safety and collaborate with other groups (including a dedicated team of bioinformaticians).

The post holder will also lead and/or contribute to the preparation of written reports and research publications and present research findings at project meetings, scientific conferences and outreach/translation events. They will contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, supervision of visitors to the laboratory and assisting with training others, including postgraduate students, and overall encouraging scientific excellence.

Key Relationships

Internal: With the line manager, Prof Alison Mather, group members and other researchers and research
support staff across the Institute. External: Collaborators

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Bioinformatics analysis of short- and long-read genome sequences of foodborne bacteria, including plasmid and AMR analysis; analysis of metagenome sequences from food

Integrate genomic and epidemiological data to assess evolution and transmission of bacteria and AMR, and the attendant risk to food safety

Preparation and submission of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

Present research findings at internal and external meetings/events

Ensure research and record keeping are carried out in accordance with good practice, scientific integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements

Contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, supervision of visitors to the laboratory and assisting with training others, including postgraduate students, and overall encouraging scientific excellence

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. Computational Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics, Epidemiology or related discipline)

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Bioinformatics skills

Essential

Expertise using analytical programmes eg R, Python

Essential

Understanding of high-throughput sequencing and microbial genomics

Essential

Good publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals commensurate with experience

Desirable

Understanding of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Hands-on experience with microbial genome and/or metagenome sequencing and analysis

Essential

Proven record in scientific writing commensurate with experience

Essential

Experience with quantitative data analysis

Essential

Experience with large sequence datasets

Desirable

Experience of oral research presentations

Desirable

Experience with command-line and cloud-computing environment

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a team

Essential

Accurate record keeping

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Ability to think creatively, contribute new ideas, troubleshoot

Desirable

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national/international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

Desirable

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

Microbes and Food Safety

Group Details

The post holder will join a fun, international and supportive group with expertise in bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular ecology and epidemiology. We work to understand the evolution, origins and transmission of foodborne bacteria, with a focus on bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobial drugs. Work in our group includes that on organisms important for food safety and food spoilage, including Salmonella, E. coli, Vibrio, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Yersinia enterocolitica, and as well as the use of metagenomics to understand the wider microbial communities in which these organisms exist. We work with many external collaborators, including academics, regulatory bodies and public health laboratories (both animal and human) in the UK and abroad.

This position will entail working on microbial genomes and metagenomes obtained from across the One Health spectrum (humans, food, animals, the environment) to address key questions such as the relative contribution from different sources to the antimicrobial resistance and pathogen burden in humans. This will be achieved using a combination of approaches, including short-and long-read whole genome sequencing, bioinformatics analyses of large datasets and statistical/epidemiological analyses.

Living in Norfolk

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Research Scientist (Microbial Genomic Epidemiology/ Bioinformatics)

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the group of Professor Alison Mather at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Quadram Institute Bioscience:

QIB provides a vibrant and exciting setting composed of multiple research teams working on microbial (meta)genomics, molecular epidemiology, microbial communities, and food science. We offer the chance to work with world leading, cutting edge technologies both in microbiology and computational biology and give you the opportunity to broaden your skills using open-source technologies within a bioinformatics context, and bringing together biological, epidemiological and bioinformatics data. You will gain experience of working with Big Data, cloud computing, and have the opportunity to publish excellent science in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Background:

The post holder will join a fun, international and supportive group with expertise in bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular ecology and epidemiology. We work to understand the evolution, origins and transmission of foodborne bacteria, with a focus on bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobial drugs. Work in our group includes that on organisms important for food safety and food spoilage, including Salmonella, E. coli, Vibrio, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Yersinia enterocolitica, and as well as the use of metagenomics to understand the wider microbial communities in which these organisms exist. We work with many external collaborators, including academics, regulatory bodies and public health laboratories (both animal and human) in the UK and abroad.

This position will entail working on microbial genomes and metagenomes obtained from across the One Health spectrum (humans, food, animals, the environment) to address key questions such as the relative contribution from different sources to the antimicrobial resistance and pathogen burden in humans. This will be achieved using a combination of approaches, including short- and long-read whole (meta)genome sequencing, bioinformatics analyses of large datasets and statistical/epidemiological analyses.

The role:

The successful post holder will analyse and interpret existing large collections of microbial whole-genome and metagenome sequence data from Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies using various bioinformatics approaches to address the project aims. The post holder will occasionally present research findings at project meetings, scientific conferences and outreach/training events. There is scope to develop new projects within the strategic remit of microbial food safety and food spoilage, and collaborate with other groups (including a dedicated team of bioinformaticians).

The post holder will also lead and/or contribute to the preparation of written reports and research publications and present research findings at project meetings, scientific conferences and outreach/translation events. They will contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, supervision of visitors to the laboratory and assisting with training others, including postgraduate students, and overall encouraging scientific excellence.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. Computational Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics, Epidemiology or related discipline), and experience in analysing microbial sequencing data. The candidate must value teamwork and collaboration, be able to work independently, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £33,050 to £40,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 54 months to end 31 March 2028.

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 closing date for applications will be 13 June 2023

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