- Job Title
- Research Scientist
- Post Number
- 1004974
- Closing Date
- 5 Nov 2025
- Grade
- SC6
- Starting Salary
- Salary: £37,500 - £45,350
- Hours per week
- 37
- Months Duration
- 60
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
The Todd Lab, which has recently relocated to the Quadram Institute, will explore diverse sulfur cycling in the human gut. Our projects will apply interdisciplinary research methods to gain fundamental knowledge of the microbes that degrade dietary organosulfur compounds, the pathways and enzymes they utilise, the roles of these pathways, how they are regulated, and their importance to the host microbe, gut microbiome and human health.
The post holder will conduct gut model incubations with diverse organosulfur compounds to determine process rates and the influence of diet and health using metabolomics (e.g. gas chromatography, NMR, LC-MS). They will isolate model gut microbes that cycle diverse dietary sulfur compounds and elucidate their key enzymes and pathways using functional genomics, gene mutagenesis and protein biochemistry. The post will also utilise culture-independent methods, including stable-isotope probing and multiomics analysis to study the importance of the microbes and key genes driving organosulfur cycling in the human gut microbiome and to infer links to health. The role will be supported by the advanced metabolomics, sequencing and bioinformatics platforms available at the Quadram Institute, providing a rich environment for cutting-edge gut microbiome research.
Key Relationships
The post holder will work closely with other researchers within the Todd Group and coordinate research with internal and external collaborators.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Percentage
- Experimental work- model colon experiments, microbial isolation, genetics, mutagenesis, enzyme characterisation, metabolomics, multiomics
- 50
- Data analysis
- 20
- Collaborating with project partners, co-writing grant applications and preparing reports for funders
- 20
- Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements
- 5
- As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role
- 5
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Requirement
- Importance
- PhD in molecular microbiology
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Microbial isolation
- Essential
- Molecular genetics (particularly gene mutagenesis and expression in bacteria)
- Essential
- Protein biochemistry (particularly enzyme assays and characterisation)
- Essential
- Metabolomics analysis by NMR, GC and/or LC-MS
- Essential
- Gene probe design
- Essential
- Stable-isotope probing
- Essential
- Deep understanding of organosulfur cycling pathways and enzymes
- Essential
- Bioinformatics analysis
- Essential
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Experience in reviewing and preparing successful grant proposals
- Essential
- Experience in conducting gut model incubations
- Essential
- Relevant track record in identifying and elucidating novel pathways and enzymes involved in organosulfur cycling
- Essential
- Experience working with industrial partners
- Desirable
- Experience in lab and budget management
- Desirable
- Experience in supervising PhD students and coordinating research
- Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
- Essential
- Ability to follow instructions / Standard Operating Procedures
- Essential
- Excellent time management and organisational skills with proven ability to meet deadlines
- Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
- Essential
- Embrace working as part of a diverse and multi-disciplinary team
- Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team
- Essential
- Promotes and strives for continuous improvement
- Essential
Additional Requirements
- Requirement
- Importance
- Attention to detail
- Essential
- Promotes equality and values diversity
- Essential
- Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required
- 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
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
Living in Norfolk
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Research Scientist
Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Prof Jonathan Todd in the Food Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The Todd Lab, which has recently relocated to the Quadram Institute, will explore diverse sulfur cycling in the human gut. Our projects will apply interdisciplinary research methods to gain fundamental knowledge of the microbes that degrade dietary organosulfur compounds, the pathways and enzymes they utilise, the roles of these pathways, how they are regulated, and their importance to the host microbe, gut microbiome and human health.
The role:
The post holder will conduct gut model incubations with diverse organosulfur compounds to determine process rates and the influence of diet and health using metabolomics (e.g. gas chromatography, NMR, LC-MS). They will isolate model gut microbes that cycle diverse dietary sulfur compounds and elucidate their key enzymes and pathways using functional genomics, gene mutagenesis and protein biochemistry. The post will also utilise culture-independent methods, including stable-isotope probing and multiomics analysis to study the importance of the microbes and key genes driving organosulfur cycling in the human gut microbiome and to infer links to health. The role will be supported by the advanced metabolomics, sequencing and bioinformatics platforms available at the Quadram Institute, providing a rich environment for cutting-edge gut microbiome research.
The ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate will have a PhD in molecular microbiology and knowledge of microbial isolation and molecular genetics (particularly gene mutagenesis and expression in bacteria).
They will have a relevant track record in identifying and elucidating novel pathways and enzymes involved in organosulfur cycling, as well as experience in conducting gut model incubations.
Candidates should also have experience in reviewing and preparing successful grant proposals.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £37,500 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of five years.
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 5 November 2025.
The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.