- Job Title
- Microbiology Research Assistant
- Post Number
- 1004821
- Closing Date
- 14 Jan 2025
- Grade
- SC7
- Starting Salary
- Salary: £28,550 - £35,500
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Encapsulation of gut commensal bacteria
- Expected/Ideal Start Date
- 03 Feb 2025
- Months Duration
- 10
- Flexible Options
- Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours are also welcomed.
- If suitable applications are received, this post could be filled on a job-share basis.
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
Applications are invited for a Microbiology Research Assistant to join the Laboratory of Arjan Narbad in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience.
Probiotic bacteria are known to provide many health benefits to the human host. However, in order for these benefits to be realised the probiotics need to have a long shelf life and be able survive exposure to both the acidic conditions of the stomach and bile acids during transit in the gut. The aim of this project is to develop suitable encapsulation technologies to improve the survival of probiotic bacteria during processing and maintain viability on storage. We are looking for an experienced microbiologist to undertake microbiological culturing work and to operate in vitro colon fermentation models.
Key Relationships
The post holder will work closely with Dr Melinda Mayer to perform microbiological assays and Dr Emad Shehata to study the impact of probiotics on the human gut microbiota using an in vitro colon model. They will have regular contact with the industry partner.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Percentage
- To undertake microbiological enumeration of both aerobes and anaerobes
- 60
- In vtro colon model work
- 30
- writing reports and meetings presentation
- 5
- To undertake infogest analysis
- 5
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Requirement
- Importance
- Degree or equivalent in microbiology or biological sciences
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Ability to handle probiotic bacteria DNA and undertake microbiological assays
- Essential
- Extraction of bacterial DNA
- Essential
- Metagenomics analysis using shot gun sequencing
- Desirable
- Experience of working with culture anaerobes
- Desirable
- Familiar with in vitro fermentation models
- Desirable
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Practical experience of microbiology
- Essential
- Practical experience of molecular biology
- Essential
- Experience of bioinformatics analysis of the gut microbiome
- Desirable
Management and Leadership
- Requirement
- Importance
- na
- Essential
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team
- Essential
- Self motivated and willing to learn
- Essential
- Able to plan the work and meet reporting deadlines
- Essential
- Ability to follow instructions/standard operating procedures
- Essential
Additional Requirements
- Requirement
- Importance
- Attention to detail
- Essential
- Promotes equality and values diversity
- 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
- Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute
- Essential
Who We Are
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 Narbad group at QIB has a broad interest in the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and the role of the complex gut microbiome in health and disease. We are also investigating the application of competitive exclusion in humans to combat bacterial infections. We have interest in modulating the gut microbiome using a number of approaches including the application of probiotics, prebiotics and faecal microbiota transplants for the treatments of microbiome-associated disorders. We work closely with the Clinical Research Facility of the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital to undertake human intervention and clinical trials
Living in Norfolk
Advertisement
Microbiology Research Assistant
Applications are invited for a Microbiology Research Assistant to join the Laboratory of Arjan Narbad in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The Narbad group at QIB has a broad interest in the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and the role of the complex gut microbiome in health and disease. We are also investigating the application of competitive exclusion in humans to combat bacterial infections. We have interest in modulating the gut microbiome using a number of approaches including the application of probiotics, prebiotics and faecal microbiota transplants for the treatments of microbiome-associated disorders. We work closely with the Clinical Research Facility of the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital to undertake human intervention and clinical trials.
The role:
Probiotic bacteria are known to provide many health benefits to the human host. However, in order for these benefits to be realised the probiotics need to have a long shelf life and be able survive exposure to both the acidic conditions of the stomach and bile acids during transit in the gut. The aim of this project is to develop suitable encapsulation technologies to improve the survival of probiotic bacteria during processing and maintain viability on storage. We are looking for an experienced microbiologist to undertake microbiological culturing work and to operate in vitro colon fermentation models.
The ideal candidate:
We are seeking a microbiology graduate with an interest in probiotics and human health to investigate the application of encapsulation of probiotic bacteria to improve the shelf life and efficacy of the probiotic products. This is a short 10-month contract to work with an industry partner. The post holder will conduct microbiology assays and make use of in vitro colon models to assess the impact of probiotic on the structure and function of the human gut microbiome.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £28,550 to £35,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 10 months, we welcome candidates looking for job share, full-time or part-time working patterns.
Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.
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 14 January 2025.
The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer