Main Purpose of the Job

Join us in advancing research at the intersection of fungal biology, biotechnology, and sustainable food systems.

We are looking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Buscaino Lab at the Quadram Institute, part of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in microbial food production, with a particular focus on mycoprotein production using filamentous fungi. The successful candidate will explore intra-species fungal genotypic and phenotypic diversity to advance sustainable food innovation.

The project will investigate how fungal diversity influences growth, metabolism, and nutritional properties, aiming to optimise strains for high-quality protein production. Key responsibilities will include phenotypic characterisation, nutritional profiling, and genomic analysis to identify genetic factors underpinning desirable traits for food applications.

The role will be supported by the advanced sequencing, metabolomics, and bioinformatics platforms available at the Quadram Institute, offering a rich and collaborative environment for innovation at the intersection of fungal biology, biotechnology, and sustainable food systems.

Key Relationships

Internal:
The position will report to Prof Alessia Buscaino, who will lead the project at the Quadram Institute. The post-holder will work closely with other researchers in the Buscaino Lab, as well as collaborate with the Principal Investigator to supervise junior lab members, coordinate ongoing research activities, and contribute to the preparation of scientific publications and funding proposals.
External:
Externally, the post-holder will interact with academic and industrial partners of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins. They will also engage with academic collaborators in the UK and overseas, and present research findings at national and international conferences. In addition, the post-holder will participate in policy engagement activities and public outreach events to communicate the lab’s research and its contribution to sustainable food systems to broader audiences.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Experimental work
Experimental investigation of filamentous fungi relevant to microbial food production, including phenotypic and nutritional characterisation (protein, fat, amino acid profiling); and the application of genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics approaches.

70

Data analysis, collaboration, and writing
Analysis and interpretation of experimental data; collaboration with academic and industrial partners within the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins; and contribution to the writing of scientific publications and funding proposals. 

20

Supervision
Supervision and mentorship of junior researchers and students within the Buscaino Lab.

5

Other duties
As agreed with the line manager, performing other tasks commensurate with the nature and grade of the post, including participation in outreach, policy engagement, and public communication activities

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in Microbiology/ Molecular Biology/ Biotechnology or a related discipline

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Molecular Biology

Essential

Fungal Biology

Desirable

Biochemical analysis of nutrients and metabolites

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Proficiency in molecular biology methods to study and engineer genomes

Essential

Working experiences with filamentous fungi

Desirable

Experience in nutrient and metabolite analysis

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

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

Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

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 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

Food, Microbiome and Health

Group Details

The Buscaino Lab, recently relocated to the Quadram Institute, is part of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins. The group is international and diverse, bringing together researchers with expertise in molecular biology, genomics, and microbiology to address fundamental and applied questions in fungal biology.
Our research focuses on understanding how fungi adapt to their environments and how this knowledge can be harnessed for sustainable food production. We investigate filamentous fungi to explore their genotypic and phenotypic diversity and their potential for mycoprotein production, with the goal of identifying and optimising strains for use as nutrient-rich, sustainable protein sources.
In parallel, the group continues its long-standing interest in the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, a key component of the human microbiome and an important opportunistic pathogen. Through genomic, transcriptomic, and molecular approaches, we study how C. albicans adapts to different host environments and transitions between commensal and pathogenic lifestyles.
The Buscaino Lab works closely with academic and industrial collaborators in the UK and internationally,

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Prof Buscaino in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The Buscaino Lab, recently relocated to the Quadram Institute, is part of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins. The group is international and diverse, bringing together researchers with expertise in molecular biology, genomics, and microbiology to address fundamental and applied questions in fungal biology.

The role:

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in fungal biology and sustainable food innovation. The project will focus on exploring intra-species fungal genotypic and phenotypic diversity in filamentous fungi, with the goal of identifying and optimising strains for mycoprotein and microbial food production.

The successful candidate will apply biochemical, molecular biology, genomics, and phenotypic characterisation approaches, including nutritional profiling to understand how fungal diversity influences growth, metabolism, and nutritional value. The post holder will work closely with academic and industrial partners of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins and will benefit from the Quadram Institute’s advanced sequencing, metabolomics, and bioinformatics platforms.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills in fungal genomics, strain engineering, multi-omics data analysis, and collaborative research, while contributing to scientific publications, funding proposals, and public engagement activities.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline, with proven experience in fungal biology, genome editing, and/or microbial phenotyping. Strong communication, organisation, and teamwork skills are essential.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £37,500 to £40,240 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 18 months.

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 1004986. 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 on 10 December 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.

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 30 November 2025

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