- Job Title
- Project Scientist
- Post Number
- 1004894
- Closing Date
- 21 May 2025
- Grade
- SC7
- Starting Salary
- Salary: £28,550 - £35,500
- Funding End Date
- 31 Mar 2028
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Management of colon model facilities
- Expected/Ideal Start Date
- 01 Jul 2025
- Months Duration
- 12
- Interview Date
- 10 Jun 2025
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
We are seeking a Project Scientist to provide a high standard of technical support to academic and research staff working in the Colon Model Facility at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB). The facility comprises a range of in vitro gut model systems that simulate the physiological and microbiological conditions of the human intestines.
The human gut microbiota is extremely complex, comprising over 1,000 species. It is now well established that gut bacteria play a vital role in the development and maintenance of human health. At QIB, we have developed several in vitro model systems that replicate conditions in different regions of the intestines. This core facility is used by multiple research groups across the Institute to study microbial interactions and investigate the impact of diet and bioactive compounds on the human gut microbiome.
The candidate should be a graduate with a degree in Microbial Ecology, Microbiology, or Biological Sciences, and should demonstrate strong motivation to work with complex microbial communities. They will support the day-to-day operation of the colon model laboratory. Key responsibilities include running various in vitro gut models for a range of research projects, training students and researchers in their use, and maintaining the associated laboratory equipment.
Excellent teamwork and communication skills are essential, as the role involves regular interaction with staff and students using the facility.
Key Relationships
The post holder will provide a high standard of technical support to academic and research staff working in the Gut Model Facility, under the supervision of Dr. Emad Shehata, the facility manager.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Percentage
- Running various in vitro gut models across multiple research projects.
- 60
- Assisting the facility manager, academic staff, research programs, and postgraduate projects to run their in vitro colon model experiments.
- 15
- Arranging human samples for researchers to run their in vitro colon models.
- 10
- Training students and scientists in the use of the gut model systems.
- 5
- Helping with the human study amendment and recruitment.
- 5
- As agreed with the line manager, any other duties are commensurate with the nature of the post.
- 5
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Requirement
- Importance
- A degree in Microbiology, biological sciences, or any other relevant subjects
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Ability to work independently on research projects
- Essential
- Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques and equipment use
- Essential
- Ability to handle pathogens safely
- Essential
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook
- Essential
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Experience in fermentation
- Essential
- Practical experience of microbiology
- Essential
- Experience of working with gut bacteria
- Desirable
- Experience of handling human study samples
- Desirable
- Adaptable to new methods and techniques
- Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Essential
- Ability to follow instructions/standard operating procedures
- Essential
- Reliable and conscientious
- Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
- Desirable
Additional Requirements
- Requirement
- Importance
- 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
- Attention to detail
- 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
Science Operations
Group Details
The post holder will be based in science operations and will work closely with Dr. Emad Shehata, the facility manager, to support and assist researchers using the colon model facility.
Living in Norfolk
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Project Scientist
Applications are invited for a Project Scientist to join the Gut Model Facility in the Science Operations programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
We are seeking a Project Scientist to support experiments conducted using our in vitro model systems that simulate the physiological and microbiological conditions of the human intestines. The human gut microbiota is extremely complex and estimated to comprise more than 1000 species. It is now clear that the gut bacteria play an essential role in the development and maintenance of human health. At QIB, we have established a number of different in vitro model systems that replicate the conditions found in different regions of the intestines. This is a core facility that will be utilised by a number of different research groups within the Institute to study interactions between the gut bacteria as well as the impact of diet and bioactives on the human gut microbiome.
The role:
This position will contribute to fundamental research exploring the impact of the gut microbiome on food and health. The primary purpose of the role is to provide technical support for operating in vitro gut models at QIB. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the colon model facility.
The main duties for this role include:
- Operating in vitro gut model systems.
- Supporting students and postdoctoral researchers using the models for a variety of research projects.
- Maintaining laboratory equipment and managing aspects of associated human studies.
The ideal candidate:
The successful post holder will be a graduate in biological sciences, microbiology or molecular biology with experience in microbial fermentation technology, and motivation to work on complex microbial communities would be advantageous.
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 an initial contract of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.
Interviews will be held on 10 June 2025.
This role does not meet the full salary requirements set by UKVI to allow for visa sponsorship. However, some individuals may still be eligible for visa sponsorship depending on their personal circumstances. If you require visa sponsorship, please click here to find out if you qualify before applying. Please note, the occupation code for this role is 2112 which is on the immigration salary list.
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 May 2025
The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.