Main Purpose of the Job

The post holder will work in a Research Scientist role on a project funded by the MRC's UK-China One Health Research for Epidemic Preparedness and AMR call.

This project is a collaboration between the University of Lincoln, the Quadram Institute Bioscience and Chinese partners investigating the mechanisms of multiple drug resistance and genetic evolution of Salmonella serotypes in pig and poultry farming. The post holder will contribute to the QIB work packages involving the co-evolution of Salmonella and bacteriophages (both virulent and temperate) and mechanisms of phage resistance development. The post holder is expected to attend national project meetings and coordinate the dissemination of results, including the publication of high-quality research papers and presenting findings at scientific conferences. The post holder will be embedded in the Bacteriophages & Viromics research group led by Dr Evelien Adriaenssens, which is a vibrant research group consisting of postdocs and PhD candidates. In the group, the post holder will be given the opportunity to supervise and mentor more junior scientists and visiting researchers. Furthermore, the post holder will have access to the Norwich Bioscience Institutes' extensive training programme and given the opportunity to enrol in training courses related to bioinformatics and career development. Continuous learning and improvement are expected.

Key Relationships

Evelien Adriaenssens (line manager)
The post holder will work with other group members at the Adriaenssens group as well as other members of the Quadram Institute Bioscience. The post holder is expected to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the partners in the grant, in particular at the University of Lincoln, and with the Chinese partners working in parallel. Further key relationships are with members of the Quadram Science Voice, and members of the other research institutes of the Norwich Bioscience Institutes and the University of East Anglia. 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Establishment, maintenance and characterisation of bacteriophage collection for Salmonella

25

Development of resistant mutants of Salmonella and phenotypic characterisation

25

Bioinformatic analysis of Salmonella genomes in relation to AMR determinants, phage resistance and mobilisation

25

Dissemination of results through publication of scientific papers, media posts, and attending scientific conferences

15

Assist with supervising students and visiting workers in the group

5

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees.

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioscience Engineering or a related Life Science subject (or equivalent experience)

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent microbiology laboratory skills

Essential

Microbiology techniques related to phage and/or bacteria culturing

Essential

Bioinformatics skills related to bacterial genomics

Essential

Proven record of publications appropriate with experience

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Laboratory experience in bacterial pathogen handling

Essential

Experience in molecular biology

Essential

Experience in working collaboratively

Essential

Experience in working with bacteriophages

Desirable

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

Ability to work to deadlines

Essential

Ability to work and manage projects independently

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Embraces and promotes equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Essential

Willingness to travel for project meetings

Essential

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

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

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

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

Microbes and Food Safety

Group Details

The Adriaenssens group is a vibrant and collaborative research group looking into all things phage, consisting of three postdoctoral scientists and three PhD students. We use culture-dependent and independent approaches to understand the role of bacteriophages as part of a range of microbiomes, working both with single phage-host pairs and complex microbial communities. We have a strong interest in the use of bacteriophages as biocontrol agents for pathogenic bacteria.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Evelien Adriaenssens in the Microbes and Food Safety programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The Adriaenssens group is a vibrant and collaborative research group looking into all things phage. We use culture-dependent and independent approaches to understand the role of bacteriophages as part of a range of microbiomes, working both with single phage-host pairs and complex microbial communities. We have a strong interest in the use of bacteriophages as biocontrol agents for pathogenic bacteria.

The role:

As a Research Scientist on the MRC-funded project "Mechanism of multiple drug resistance and genetic evolution of prevalent Salmonella serotypes derived from animals", the post holder will contribute to the delivery of the objectives of the grant. Specifically, the post holder will investigate diverse Salmonella serovars across the food chain and the mechanisms of resistance development to bacteriophages and antibiotics. Key relationships will be developed with the Onarinde team at the University of Lincoln. 

The Research Scientist will help organise and attend project meetings and contribute to communication and dissemination of results, including presentation of findings at scientific conferences and the publication of papers. The post holder will be given the opportunity to enrol in training courses related to career development or technical skills, and will assist in the daily supervision of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students at QIB.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioscience Engineering or a related Life Science subject (or expected to finish by post start) and is passionate about bacteriophages and food safety. 

The responsibilities will be split between laboratory work in phage and bacteria culturing, development of resistant mutants and genomics. The ideal candidate is therefore flexible and able to handle lab work and sequencing data in parallel. Good communications skills and the ability to coordinate with team members to deliver objectives are essential. 

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £39,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 18 months.

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website https://jobs.quadram.ac.uk or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004898.

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 equity, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute values of Respect, Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence are at the heart of all we do, and we expect 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 2 July 2025

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