- Job Title
- Research Scientist
- Post Number
- 1004963
- Closing Date
- 12 Oct 2025
- Grade
- SC6
- Starting Salary
- Salary: £37,500 - £40,600
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Understanding the interactions between food and the gut-microbiome-liver axis
- Expected/Ideal Start Date
- 05 Jan 2026
- Months Duration
- 60
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
The main purpose of the job is to provide support to the Beraza Lab research focused on defining the mechanisms underlying the influence of foods in the liver-gut-microbiome axis through the lifespan.
The appointed post is expected to provide expertise and support in:
• Bioinformatics analysis of datasets including 10x single cell sequencing, RNA sequencing from mammalian tissues and cells
• Bioinformatics analysis of datasets including 16s rRNA, shotgun and whole genome sequencing.
• Design, undertake and supervise complex experimental in vivo work.
• Design and perform in vitro work independently.
• Competency in flow cytometry; experimental and analysis.
• Competency in histopathological analysis of murine and human tissue samples including immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.
• Competency in bright field, fluorescence and confocal microscopy.
• Competency in molecular biology techniques including qPCR, western blot and ELISA.
• Proved independence in data analysis, preparation and writing of research manuscripts.
• Proved experience in grant applications preparation and writing.
• Training and supervision of students.
Key Relationships
The Research Scientist will work closely with collaborators at QIB and the bioinformatics core team, the broader NRP (including UEA medical school and Earlham Institute) as well as other researchers across UK, Europe and Brazil. The successful candidate will actively participate in supervising undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Percentage
- Bioinformatics data analysis
- 45
- Analysis of samples from in vivo and human studies
- 30
- In vivo studies
- 10
- Manuscript and grant preparation
- 10
- Supervision of students
- 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.
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Requirement
- Importance
- PhD in biological sciences
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Bioinformatics skills to analyse 10x single cell, RNA seq
- Essential
- Bioinformatics skills to analyse 16s rRNA, shotgun and WGS
- Essential
- In vivo work
- Essential
- Cellular and molecular biology wet-lab techniques
- Essential
- Flow cytometry
- Essential
- Proficiency in R and Python for the analysis of single-cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, and metagenomic datasets.
- Essential
- Expertise in colonic organoid culture and the complete single-cell workflow—from sample preparation to downstream analysis.
- Essential
- Work with human tissue samples, ensuring translational relevance.
- Essential
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Bioinformatics analysis of 10x single cell, RNA seq datasets
- Essential
- Bioinformatics analysis of 16s rRNA, shotgun and WGS datasets
- Essential
- Flow cytometry; experimental and analysis.
- Essential
- Histopathological analysis of murine and human tissue samples including immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.
- Essential
- Design and perform complex in vivo experiments
- Essential
- Data analysis, preparation and writing of research manuscripts
- Essential
- Molecular biology techniques including qPCR, western blot and ELISA
- Essential
- Grant applications preparation and writing
- Essential
- Use of brightfield, fluorescence and confocal microscopy
- Essential
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Essential
- Adaptability
- Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team
- Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
- Essential
- A proactive approach to developing new skills and advancing interdisciplinary research
- Essential
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
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate
- Essential
- Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required
- 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
Food, Microbiome and Health
Group Details
The Beraza lab is a young and dynamic research group that includes one BBSRC funded Postdoctoral Research Scientist, one Project Scientist, two PhD students as well as several undergraduate and international visiting students. The Beraza Lab at the Quadram institute is focused on defining the mechanisms mediating the gut-microbiome-liver axis communication during health and disease.
Living in Norfolk
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Research Scientist
Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Beraza in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The Beraza Lab at the Quadram Institute studies how foods influence the liver-gut-microbiome axis throughout the lifespan. Our multidisciplinary research combines bioinformatics, molecular biology, and advanced imaging to uncover the mechanisms underlying diet-driven effects on gut and liver health. The lab’s work is regularly published in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences, providing excellent opportunities for scientific visibility and career development.
The role:
We are seeking a Research Scientist to join our collaborative and dynamic team. The successful candidate will work closely with the QIB Bioinformatics team, the Earlham Institute, and other collaborators, gaining access to state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced super-resolution microscopy at the QIB Bioimaging Facility.
This role offers the opportunity to:
• Conduct cutting-edge research at the interface of nutrition, microbiome science, and liver biology.
• Build expertise in bioinformatics, in vivo and in vitro experimental design, and advanced imaging techniques.
• Present and publish research findings, strengthening communication and presentation skills.
• Supervise students, developing leadership and project management abilities.
• Expand professional networks through interdisciplinary collaboration at national and international levels.
The ideal candidate:
We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with a PhD in bioinformatics, molecular biology, immunology, or a related discipline, and experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Bioinformatics analysis of large datasets, including single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing,
• Microbiome-related bioinformatics analysis of 16S rRNA, shotgun, or whole-genome sequencing datasets.
• Designing, performing, and analysing in vivo experiments.
• Flow cytometry; design, run and analysis
• Histopathology, and advanced microscopy (brightfield, fluorescence, confocal).
• Molecular biology techniques, such as qPCR, western blotting, and ELISA.
• Data analysis, manuscript preparation and writing
• Grant writing.
• Training and supervision of students or junior researcher
The ideal candidate will have:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Strong organisation and problem-solving abilities.
• The capacity to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• A proactive approach to developing new skills and advancing interdisciplinary research.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £37,500 to £40,600 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 5 years.
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 1004963. 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 12 October 2025
The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.