Main Purpose of the Job

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Hildebrand at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Norwich, UK.

In this BBSRC-funded position, the impact of plant-based diets on the gut microbiome will be explored in metagenomes, including tracing bacterial strains, reconstructing their genomes and metabolic food-webs in the gastrointestinal ecosystem. This will be used to understand the impact a changing environment (food sources, immune system, invading pathogens) have on ecosystem stability. Questions we will be asking are, for example:
-     How can food-derived pathogens be effectively prevented from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract?
-     Does switching to a plant-based diet lead to a destabilised gut ecosystem (or reverse)?
-     How can the gut microbiome supplement essential micronutrients to the human body?
To answer these questions, the postholder will be primarily working with metagenomic data from diet interventions, using machine learning to predict genomes, functions and ecosystem states (similar to previous work, see doi: 10.1038/s41531-025-00885-5, 10.1016/j.chom.2023.05.024, 10.1016/j.cgh.2024.11.006, 10.1111/1751-7915.14396). The work will build on bioinformatic tools available in the group (www.falk.science/software, github.com/falklab ), that will be further refined/ newly developed to enable cutting-edge bioinformatic approaches in the project.
Long-term, this research will contribute to developing pre-/pro-biotic strategies to reduce autoinflammatory disease and enable healthy aging in a wide population.
In addition, the postholder will be involved in organizing group tasks, such as helping in supervising junior researchers, submitting grants, developing new research programmes and organizing outreach events.

Key Relationships

The postholder will work closely with other group members and the line manager Dr Falk Hildebrand. Further, close interactions with other QIB groups are expected, as the project will be embedded in core research activities across multiple groups at the Quadram Institute and key partners, such as Earlham and John Innes Institutes, as well as Imperial College.
The applicant is expected to help in the supervision of junior group members and to represent the group at trainings. The applicant will have direct access to established 2nd and 3rd generation sequencing facilities, one of UK’s largest HPC clusters, and cutting-edge microbial laboratories, mice, microscopy and FACS facilities as well as in vitro gut microbiome simulators.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Investigate diet impact on gut microbiomes via numerical ecology, population genetics and machine learning

50

Predict gene functions and functional interactions in microbiomes

15

Develop new methods (bioinformatic or wetlab) to investigate novel angles in microbiomes

15

Support group with tasks such as outreach, supervision, writing grants

15

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 Bioinformatics, Food science, Microbiology, or equivalent experience

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Programming skills (e.g. C++, Perl, python or R)

Essential

Understanding of microbiomes, preferably gastrointestinal microbiomes

Essential

Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems

Essential

Ability to work independently on research projects

Desirable

Initiative and a desire to learn, to innovate, and to move out of their comfort zone

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Familiarity with meta*omics, high-resolution data or binning

Essential

Bioinformatics or molecular biology experience

Essential

Proven track-record of research output at the appropriate level

Essential

Experience grant writing or supervising lab members

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work alone and as part of a team

Desirable

Reliable and conscientious

Desirable

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

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

Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role

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 Hildebrand group uses meta*omics to research the diversity, community interactions, and evolution of microbes in communities. Currently the group has projects in both human associated and environmental (soil, lakes) microbiomes, for which custom bioinformatic solutions are developed in-house to enable a wholistic microbiome exploration. We advocate strain-resolved metagenomics and develop the numerical solutions to work with MAGs intra-specific phylogenies. For representative publications relevant to the post please see (doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.05.024 , 10.1101/2024.09.09.24313184 , 10.1016/j.chom.2021.05.008) and www.falk.science for group information.

The Quadram Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park, which is one of the largest single-site concentrations of research in food, genomics, and health in Europe. The Park hosts 4 BBSRC Institutes (including Earlham), 17,000 students, 3,000 full-time researchers and clinicians, and over 115 companies. The outstanding reputation of our researchers is internationally recognised, with 10 of the Park's scientists in the top 1% of the "most highly cited" in the world, including Dr Falk Hildebrand.

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Metagenomics Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Hildebrand at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Norwich, UK.

Background:

In this BBSRC-funded position, the impact of plant-based diets on the gut microbiome will be explored in metagenomes, including tracing bacterial strains, reconstructing their genomes and metabolic food-webs in the gastrointestinal ecosystem. This will be used to understand the impact a changing environment (food sources, immune system, invading pathogens) have on ecosystem stability. Questions we will be asking are, for example:
• How can food-derived pathogens be effectively prevented from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract?
• Does switching to a plant-based diet lead to a destabilised gut ecosystem (or reverse)?
• How can the gut microbiome supplement essential micronutrients to the human body?

To answer these questions, the postholder will be primarily working with metagenomic data from diet interventions, using machine learning to predict genomes, functions and ecosystem states (similar to previous work, see doi: 10.1038/s41531-025-00885-5, 10.1016/j.chom.2023.05.024, 10.1016/j.cgh.2024.11.006, 10.1111/1751-7915.14396).

The work will build on bioinformatic tools available in the group (www.falk.science/software, www.github.com/falklab), that will be further refined/ newly developed to enable cutting-edge bioinformatic approaches in the project.

Long-term, this research will contribute to developing pre-/pro-biotic strategies to reduce autoinflammatory disease and enable healthy aging in a wide population. In addition, the postholder will be involved in organizing group tasks, such as helping in supervising junior researchers, submitting grants, developing new research programmes and organizing outreach events.

The environment:

The Hildebrand group (https://falk.science) uses metagenomics to research the diversity, community interactions, and evolution of microbes in communities using custom software solutions.

The Quadram Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park, which is one of the largest single-site concentrations of research in food, genomics, and health in Europe. The Park hosts 4 BBSRC Institutes (including Earlham), 17,000 students, 3,000 full-time researchers and clinicians, and over 115 companies. The outstanding reputation of our researchers is internationally recognised, with 10 of the Park's scientists in the top 1% of the "most highly cited" in the world, including Dr Falk Hildebrand.

The applicant will have direct access to established PacBio/ONT, Hi-C and single cell sequencing facilities, as well as one of UK’s largest HPC cluster at the NRP.

The ideal candidate:

The applicant needs to hold a PhD (or equivalent) in biology, bioinformatics, computer science or a related discipline with a background and/or interest in at least one of the following subjects:

- Microbiomes, evolution & biodiversity
- Nutrition & patient cohorts
- Molecular biology & Metagenomics

The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in gut microbiology and nutrition, experience in conducting scientific experiments independently, writing papers, presenting work and grant writing. Basic statistics and programming skills (either R, python, Perl, C++, or equivalent) is expected. Specialized skills will be taught and developed through mentorship and collaborations.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £42,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post contracted until the funding end date of 31 March 2028.

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 1004914. 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.

Interviews will be held approximately 20 July 2025.

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.

The closing date for applications will be 11 July 2025

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