Main Purpose of the Job

We are looking for an exceptional scientist with a research focus on nutrition- and microbiome-based interventions for the prevention and management of obesity.

Driven by our vision to deliver healthier lives through multidisciplinary expertise and specialised core infrastructure, we are seeking an innovative group leader with a collaborative approach to advance transformative research on the interactions between foods, the gut microbiome, and the host, and their impact on preventing obesity and metabolic disease.
In partnership with colleagues and stakeholders, the post holder will drive innovative research initiatives and programmes to tackle these critical questions.

Key Relationships

Internal: All employees working at the Quadram Institute, including QIB, UEA and NHS colleagues. NBI Partnership.
External: UKRI, BBSRC, Norwich Research Park, other scientific institutions and educational bodies, industry, governmental organisations, general public.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Lead and manage high-profile and innovative projects aimed at advancing our understanding of diet-microbiome-host interactions and developing strategies to improve host health and resilience to obesity and metabolic disease

100

Secure significant funding in accordance with the expectations of the discipline and level of the role

Build and sustain strong collaborations and partnerships with researchers, institutions, industry, and other key stakeholders

Lead and manage research teams, taking responsibility for the delivery of the research. This will include supervising Post-Doctoral Research Assistants, supporting effective career development and maintaining high levels of performance representative of a world class institute

Write and publish high quality and significant research papers together with providing expert commentary in a variety of media

Promote a culture of world class science excellence, collaboration, and scientific integrity across the Institute

Develop pertinent research strategies for the Institute to deliver high social and economic impact

Promote our research and develop business opportunities for the Institute by liaising with and influencing government, industry and other external partners

Disseminate research findings and consolidate the Institute’s international reputation through participation in international conference and exhibitions

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in a relevant discipline such as obesity research, host pathophysiology (including the gut and associated metabolic organs), or microbial/molecular biology of the gut microbiota

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Extensive knowledge of areas related to obesity, gut microbiome, and host-microbiome, metabolic and immune responses, and the development of nutrition- and microbiome-based interventions to tackle obesity

Essential

Substantial knowledge of and skills in a relevant area, such as mechanistic or proof-of-concept human studies, modelling obesity in preclinical models, microbiome profiling, dependent on the key area of interest

Essential

A track record of research into subjects relevant to the key areas of interest and the Food Microbiome and Health strategic interests

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in host-microbiome interactions during obesity

Essential

An excellent publication record in peer reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career

Essential

Established record of post-doctoral research, including effective management of projects

Essential

Evidence of experience of – or potential for – attracting funding, commensurate with stage of career

Essential

Experience of leading, managing and mentoring teams, including promoting excellence and developing and maintaining high levels of performance

Desirable

Ability to lead and participate in interdisciplinary research

Desirable

Success in leading research and initiating interdisciplinary collaborations

Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Experience of leading, managing and mentoring teams, including promoting excellence and developing and maintaining high levels of performance

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong collaboration skills

Essential

Ability to create, build, strengthen and sustain highly effective relationships with key stakeholders

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with all people at all levels both inside and outside the institute

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 Essential the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Presents a positive image of self and the Institute, enhancing international Essential reputation and promoting public engagement

Essential

Ability to travel nationally and internationally related to collaborations Essential and/or seminars

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

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

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

We are looking for an exceptional scientist with a research focus on nutrition- and microbiome-based interventions for the prevention and management of obesity. For more information, please click here. 

You will join other world class Principal Investigators and research scientists within the ‘Food, Microbiome and Health’ research programme at the Quadram Institute. The priorities for this programme are to improve our understanding of how novel foods influence nutrient bioavailability and the gut microbiome to promote lifelong health and prevent disease. We conduct trials of novel foods as well as mechanistic studies to understand how diet-microbiome interactions shape the host’s metabolic, physical, and mental health, with the goal of developing innovative food- and microbiome-based approaches that reduce the burden of obesity and related metabolic conditions. Our team have established knowledge and expertise that brings together excellence in food science and structure, gut microbiome and host function. Our science is underpinned by expertise and capability in (bio)imaging, multi-omics and bioinformatics, microbiology, integrated digestion and fermentation models of the human gut, in vitro systems including organ-on-chip, in vivo preclinical models as well as human interventions.

At the Quadram Institute, a state-of-the-art facility based in Norwich, we are pursuing a forward-looking strategy to advance healthy living through evidence-based precision nutrition and microbiome-targeted interventions aimed at preventing metabolic diseases, including malnutrition and obesity.

We are seeking outstanding scientists who combine scientific excellence with a clear vision for advancing innovative research at the Quadram Institute, leveraging our substantial capabilities and expertise to help consolidate the Institute as a global leader in food–microbiome research for life-long health.

Applicants should have an excellent track record in an area of research that can address the strategic aims of the programme, particularly diet-microbiome-host interactions and their contribution to metabolic health and disease that will underpin new microbiome-based strategies to prevent obesity. Successful candidates will have an excellent publication record and evidence of establishing and supporting a productive research group supported by national research council (e.g., UKRI or equivalent) grants at a level commensurate for their career stage. Candidates should also have a clear vision for collaborative research.

In addition to delivering on Institute core research objectives, the successful applicant is expected to develop a broad research grant portfolio that includes collaborative projects with other scientists in the institute and beyond, and with stakeholders in industry and government.

The post will be based at the £75m Quadram Institute, an interdisciplinary research institute at the forefront of a new era in food and health research. The institute provides outstanding and custom-built facilities which bring together medical and molecular microbiologists, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians and clinicians to deliver pioneering interdisciplinary research.

The Quadram Institute supports flexible, innovative working that brings together our scientists with partners co-located on the renowned Norwich Research Park including the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory and the Earlham Institute. Our team are also members of the recently established Centre for Microbial Interactions, a virtual centre bringing together the more than 100 microbiology research groups working across the Park. Norwich, the City of Stories, is a magnificent medieval city that is rich in arts and sciences, while being a short distance from London (two hours by train).

The successful applicant will be offered an indefinite contract, or for applicants with less experience, a Career Track Group Leader position (5-year contract) with tenure subject to review. Positions come with a significant support package with an equivalent value up to £500,000, including a Postdoctoral Research Assistant, start-up package, budget for consumables and other research expenses, and access to core services including next generation sequencing and bioinformatics, advanced bioimaging, and Human Studies. We offer an exciting, innovative and supportive research environment, competitive salaries (depending on qualifications and experience) and a great place to live – a relocation package is available.

Completed applications should include:
• A description of (i) current research activities and (ii) short and longer-term research aims and potential strategic goals (each 2-3 pages);
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Covering letter outlining your motivation to apply for the Group Leader position.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects 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. 

Closing date for applications is 18 January 2026.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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