Main Purpose of the Job

The successful candidate will be responsible for the running and development of Microphysiological systems (MPS) including Organ-on-a-Chip (OOAC) platforms.

This includes conducting MPS-based projects for academic and commercial research; developing advanced MPS and OOAC models to support QIB science in the area of food, microbiome and host interactions; providing training/supervision to QIB staff and students; liaising with MPS technical staff and suppliers, and QIB line managers; liaising with NRP biorepository team and QIB Human study team for access to human samples and generating organoids; ensuring Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Ethical approvals are in place.

Key Relationships

The post-holder will work in the Food, Microbiome and Health Institute Strategic Programme and will be line-managed by Prof Nathalie Juge (Deputy Chief Scientific Officer).

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

To provide expertise and conduct projects based on the use of microphysiological systems (MPS) (including organ-on-chip) (academic and commercial research projects)

50

To develop advanced MPS models (co-culture with microbiome, immune cells,  organoids from different body sites, engineered cell models etc)

15

To liaise, supervise, and train (when appropriate) QIB users (staff and students) and collaborators 

10

To liaise with technical staff and suppliers and carry out horizon-scanning of new MPS 

5

To liaise with NRP Biorepository and QIB Human Study Team for relevant Ethical applications and access to human tissue and with QIB Lab managers

5

Be curator of cell/tissue culture room

5

Present their results internally at International Conferences

5

Contribute to the writing of scientific publications and reports

5

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in biological sciences

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Cell biology

Essential

Imaging

Essential

Organoid culture

Essential

Microbiology

Desirable

Organ-on-chip systems

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Immunohistochemistry

Essential

Immunoassays

Essential

Microfluidic physiological systems

Essential

Intestinal organoid culture

Essential

Primary cell cultures

Essential

Co-cultures with immune cells or microbiome

Desirable

Anaerobic gut microbe culture

Desirable

Confocal microscopy

Desirable

Experience of handling human samples

Desirable

Experience of Ethics application

Desirable

Mammalian gene editing

Desirable

Flow cytometry

Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Experience of supervising, training and mentoring others

Essential

Management and leadership skills (resources, leadership, mentoring and training)

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to work independently with minimum supervision

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills with an ability to meet objectives and deadlines

Essential

Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

Essential

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

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Essential

High degree of commitment and motivation

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

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

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

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

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

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, Microbiome and Health

Group Details

The Juge Group focuses on the glycobiology of host-microbe interaction in the gut. The Group comprises two research assistants, three PhD students, three post-doctoral scientists and regularly host undergraduate students and visiting scientists. The Group has extensive collaborations on the Norwich Research Park and internationally.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Food, Microbiome and Health Institute Strategic Programme at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB, Norwich, UK).

Background:

The Quadram Institute is an 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 (QIB), the University of East Anglia (UEA), the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a state-of-the-art building on the Norwich Research Park (NRP). 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 role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Scientist to contribute to the development and applications of microphysiological systems (MPS) including organ-on-chip technologies in support of the work carried out at QIB on the interaction between food, microbiome and the host. The successful candidate will benefit from a unique research environment and access to core facilities and expertise available at the QIB and opportunities for personal and career development. The successful candidate will contribute to a wide variety of projects and provide training to MPS platform users They will also contribute to the development of advanced MPS models.

The ideal candidate:

A PhD in Biological Sciences, previous research experience in the area of MPS and intestinal organoids are essential as is being competent in a variety of cell biology techniques including flow cytometry and microscopy. Experience of host-microbiota interactions and project management would be advantageous. The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational skills and a demonstrated ability to prioritise their workload and deliver work to deadlines. The successful candidate will ideally have a demonstrated ability to provide training to users in their area of expertise. The flexibility to work occasional out-of-hours and to travel nationally or internationally is also desirable.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £44,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post with an end date of 31 March 2028.

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.

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 21 October 2024

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