Main Purpose of the Job

The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) is pivotal in the development of the Institute’s strategic plan, the Institute’s scientific strategy and scientific leadership of QIB. The CSO will be a highly respected leader who can provide clear scientific direction, leadership and management.

The post holder will continue to lead their research group delivering against the agreed research outcomes while working closely with the QIB Director and as a member of the QIB Executive Board to develop plan and implement the scientific strategy.

The role requires significant experience as a successful Group Leader who demonstrates the Institute values and is a role model for excellence in scientific leadership. They will work collaboratively, and engage with colleagues across the Institute, internal and external stakeholders and the QIB Board.

Key Relationships

Line Management - Group leaders, Indirect: ISP (soon to be renamed NI2SP) leaders.

Internal - Executive Board, Group Leaders

External - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), The John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory, the University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. National and international partners. NBI Partnership, who provide support services in support functions including Human Resources, Computing, Finance, and Risk Management. Other research institutes, universities, schools, commercial organisations and funding agencies in the UK, EU and internationally.

Other - Board of Trustees.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Lead in the development and implementation of the QIB scientific strategy.

Responsible with the Institute Director and ISP Leaders for developing and advising on the Institute’s scientific vision and strategic plan.

Support the Director and ISP Leaders in the oversight and development of future ISPs.

Horizon scan / analyse the scientific landscape searching for new opportunities.

Work with ISP Leaders and Group Leaders to develop strategies to ensure the internationally recognised quality of basic, strategic and applied research as evidenced through refereed publications, citations, successfully obtaining grant income and high social and economic impact.

Contribute to the identification of future skills development / requirements to ensure that delivery of the science strategy.

Support the development of the next generation of scientists by coaching, mentoring and acting as a role model and advocate for QIB.

Work with the Institute’s Chief Business Officer to support the development of an entrepreneurial culture at the Institute.

Seize opportunities to broaden and strengthen the QIB’s reputational on the global stage and inspire scientific excellence across the Institute.

Represent the Institute’s science in the media, funding bodies and the world stage.

An excellent relationship builder, able to think and act strategically, while being sensitive to organisational and individual priorities to deliver high quality outcomes.

Continue to deliver research as a Group Leader, achieving the Institute’s Group Leader grant income and publication outputs.

As a member of the Institute’s Senior Leadership Team undertake any such duties that are reasonably required and be an ambassador of QIB and our values.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD relevant to one of our four key research themes of gut and the microbiome, healthy ageing, food innovation and food safety

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

An internationally recognised scientific leader, well acquainted with both the UK and the international science system

Essential

Excellent first/last author publication record in peer reviewed journals, together with demonstrable international peer recognition in areas of science relevant to the Institute’s vision

Essential

Knowledge of the grant proposal process and associated funding schemes (BBSRC, EU)

Essential

Strong collaboration skills, and experience of successfully developing and maintaining key relationships with diverse stakeholders

Essential

Knowledge Health & Safety regulations and procedures

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Senior scientific leadership experience within a similar organisation and role

Essential

Significant experience in a senior leadership role in a public or private research institution

Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

High level of personal resilience, including the ability to support the Director and other ISP Leaders in providing a clear and consistent vision and

Essential

A strong team player, focussed and committed to delivering and helping colleagues achieve their goals

Essential

Demonstrable success in dealing with highly sensitive issues in a complex environment

Essential

Ability to horizon-scan to identify opportunities and risks

Essential

Significant experience of managing and motivating teams ensuring the highest levels of performance are achieved

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to articulate science strategy to individuals, groups and to develop effective relationships in the context of research and scientific committees

Essential

Positively engages staff at all levels and enthusiastically promotes the vision

Essential

Able to demonstrate sound judgement in decision making

Essential

Demonstrates discretion and sound judgment in dealing with confidential, sensitive, and difficult issues

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Promotes and roles models QIB Values

Essential

Credibility, tact and diplomacy

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

Directorate

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Chief Scientific Officer

Background:
The Quadram Institute is a state-of-the-art £75 million facility dedicated to improving human health by uncovering how food, gut biology, microbes, and the microbiome influence diseases and healthy living.  The two strategic programmes of the Quadram Institute, Food, Microbiome & Health and Microbes & Food Safety, unite scientists, clinicians and industry partners to tackle pressing challenges at the intersection of food science, gut biology, microbiology and human health.  Based on the Norwich Research Park, the Institute leverages a world-class bioscience cluster and an extensive network of national and international collaborators to translate fundamental discoveries into tangible benefits for patients, consumers and society.

The Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) currently has a vacancy for a Chief Scientific Officer to join a vibrant community dedicated to advancing science and improving health worldwide.

The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) is pivotal in the development of the Institute’s scientific strategy and scientific leadership of QIB. The CSO will be a highly respected scientific leader who can provide clear scientific direction, leadership and management.

The post holder will continue to lead their research group delivering against the agreed research outcomes while working closely with the QIB Director and as a member of the QIB Executive Board to develop plan and implement the scientific strategy.

Ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate will have significant experience as a successful Group Leader and be a role model for excellence in scientific leadership. They will work collaboratively, and support and engage with colleagues across the Institute, internal and external stakeholders and the QIB Board.

They will have an excellent publication record, together with demonstrable international recognition in areas of science relevant to the Institute’s vision. Collaboration is at our core, and we value partnerships with scientists within our institute, across the UK, and globally, as well as with industry and government. Candidates will have already established strong collaborations, a clear vision for collaborative research, experience of successfully developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships and continually horizon-scan to identify opportunities and risks.

An essential requirement is a PhD relevant to one of our research themes of food, microbiome and health and microbes and food safety.

At QIB we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.  We value the diversity of our staff and are committed to creating a positive environment, one that is fair, welcoming and inclusive, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Please let us know if you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best.

For more details of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, see our website Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Quadram Institute

How to apply:
Interested applicants are invited to submit a description of:
(i) current research activities and
(ii) short and longer-term research aims and potential strategic goals (each ~2-3 pages).

Please combine this with your CV together with a cover letter stating what motivates you to apply for a Chief Scientific Officer position at QIB and submit this by 12 October 2025.

For any queries please contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 12 October 2025