Main Purpose of the Job

We are looking for an exceptional scientist with a research focus on sulphur metabolism within the human gut microbiome.

Key Relationships

Internal: All employees working at the Quadram Institute, including QIB, UEA and NHS colleagues. NBI Partnership.

External: UKRI, BBSRC, Norwich Research Park, other scientific institutions and educational bodies, industry, governmental organisations, general public.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Lead and manage high profile and innovative projects focused understand how food and microbiome interactions can help promote health, and to study how enduring and emerging microbial threats to the safety of UK food supplies can be reduced.

Secure significant funding in accordance with the expectations of the discipline and level of the role.

Lead and manage research teams, taking responsibility for the delivery of the research. This will include supervising Postdoctoral Research Assistants, supporting effective career development and maintaining high levels of performance representative of a world class institute.

Write and publish high quality and significant research papers together with providing expert commentary in a variety of media.

Promote a culture of world class science excellence, collaboration, and scientific integrity across the Institute.

Develop pertinent research strategies for the QI to deliver high social and economic impact.

Promote our research and develop business opportunities for the Institute by liaising with, and influencing government, industry and other external partners.

Disseminate research findings and consolidate the Institute’s international reputation through participation in international conference and exhibitions.

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in a relevant subject (e.g., microbiology/molecular biology of microbes involved in the food chain, bioinformatics, microbial genetics)

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

A track record of research in an area of research that can advance our understanding of the food microbiome and health programme

Essential

Extensive knowledge of microbes found in the food chain and their relevance for food safety or spoilage

Essential

Substantial knowledge of and skills in a relevant area, such as microbial imaging, microbial genomics/machine learning, or molecular genetics/biology, dependent on key area of interest

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Established record of post-doctoral research, including effective management of projects

Essential

An excellent publication record in peer reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career

Essential

Evidence of experience of – or potential for – attracting funding, commensurate with stage of career

Essential

Experience in bacterial foodborne pathogens or spoilage organisms

Essential

Success in leading research and initiating interdisciplinary collaborations

Desirable

Ability to lead and participate in interdisciplinary research

Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Experience of leading, managing and mentoring teams, including promoting excellence and developing and maintaining high levels of performance

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to create, build, strengthen and sustain highly effective relationships with key stakeholders

Essential

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with all people at all levels both inside and outside the institute

Essential

Strong collaboration skills

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Ability to travel nationally and internationally related to collaborations and/or seminars

Essential

Presents a positive image of self and the Institute, enhancing international reputation and promoting public engagement.

Essential

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

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

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

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

We are looking for an exceptional scientist with a research focus on sulphur metabolism within the human gut microbiome.

You will join other world class Principal Investigators and research scientists within or across the ‘Microbes and Food Safety’ and ‘Food Microbiome Health’ Institute Strategic Programmes (ISPs) at the Quadram Institute. The priorities for these programmes are to understand how food and microbiome interactions can help promote health, and to study how enduring and emerging microbial threats to the safety of UK food supplies can be reduced. Our teams have expertise that brings together excellence in imaging, microbiology, genomics, bioinformatics, analytics, microbiome, food trials and mathematical modelling.

The Quadram Institute is a state-of-the-art facility based in Norwich that undertakes research in the study of the human gastrointestinal microbiome. We are now seeking to bring in a forward-thinking group leader who wants to develop their research own programme, exploiting our considerable capabilities and helping to consolidate the Quadram Institute as a world leader in food health and food safety research. Specifically, we are looking for a world-leading scientist with interest in microbial sulphur metabolism and its application to human health. The reasons for this post include the following:

Sulphur metabolism is a crucial, underappreciated aspect of how the gut microbiome influences human health and disease, and studying it holds the potential towards new paths for diagnosis, prevention, and therapy. Sulphur-containing metabolites produced by gut microbes, such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), are now strongly implicated in various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer, and metabolic disorders. While low levels of H₂S can be beneficial (e.g., anti-inflammatory), high levels are toxic to intestinal epithelial cells. Modern diets, rich in sulphur-containing amino acids (like methionine and cysteine) and additives (like sulphites), strongly influence sulphur metabolism in the gut. Understanding this interaction could help explain how diet impacts health via the microbiome. Sulphur compounds act as electron donors and acceptors, influencing the microbial community structure. Sulphate-reducing bacteria (like Desulfovibrio species) are particularly important because they can dominate under certain conditions and disrupt healthy microbial balance.

Applicants should have an excellent track record in an area of research that can advance our understanding of the food microbiome and health programme. Successful candidates will have a good publication record and strong track record in attracting funding commensurate for a senior group leader appointment, and most importantly, have a clear vision for collaborative research to promote microbial research across the institute and Norwich Research Park.

While core research will deliver against our strategic objectives and research themes, we expect the successful applicant to develop their broader portfolio of research through uplift funding. Collaboration is a core value at the Quadram Institute, and we encourage collaboration with other scientists in the institute and beyond, and with food safety stakeholders in industry and government.

The post will be based at the £75m Quadram Institute, an interdisciplinary research institute at the forefront of a new era in food and health research. The institute provides outstanding and custom-built facilities which bring together medical and molecular microbiologists, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians and clinicians to deliver pioneering interdisciplinary research focused on microbes in the food chain.

The Quadram Institute supports flexible, innovative working that brings together our scientists with partners co-located on the renowned Norwich Research Park including the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory and the Earlham Institute. Our team are also members of the recently established Centre for Microbial Interactions, a virtual centre bringing together the more than 100 microbiology research groups working across the Park. Norwich, the City of Stories, is a magnificent medieval city that is rich in arts and sciences, while being a short distance from London (two hours by train).

The successful applicant will be offered an indefinite contract. The position comes with a significant support package, including a Postdoctoral Research Assistant, budget for consumables and other research expenses, and access to core services such as genome sequencing and advanced microbial bioimaging. We offer an exciting, innovative and supportive research environment, competitive salaries (depending on qualifications and experience) and a great place to live – a relocation package is available.

Completed applications should be submitted on our website and must include:
• A description of (i) current research activities and (ii) short and longer-term research aims and potential strategic goals (each 2-3 pages);
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Covering letter outlining your motivation to apply for the Senior Group Leader position.

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.

Closing date for applications is xxxxxxxxxxxxx at 12 noon BST.