Main Purpose of the Job

We are seeking an enthusiastic Bioinformatics Research Scientist to join the Buscaino Lab at the Quadram Institute. This is a Wellcome Trust-funded project that investigates the interplay between Candida albicans and gut bacterial adaptation, with a particular focus on RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms.

The post holder will be based at the Quadram Institute, working within the Buscaino Lab, and will benefit from interaction with the bioinformatics support group. The post holder will lead the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic datasets generated during the project, including short-read Illumina sequencing, long-read MinION assemblies, RNA-seq data, and epigenomic datasets (ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C). Strong coding skills and experience in genome assembly and annotation are essential.

The successful candidate will work closely with two key collaborators: Prof Kevin Foster (University of Oxford) and Prof Ana Traven (Monash University), contributing to a multidisciplinary effort to understand host–microbe interactions at the genomic level. The post holder will also assist other members of the team in analysing their datasets.

Key Relationships

Internal:
The position will report to Prof Alessia Buscaino, who leads the project at the Quadram Institute. The postholder will work closely with other researchers in the Buscaino Lab and benefit from interaction with the bioinformatics support group. They will contribute to coordinating research activities, assist team members with data analysis, and help with the preparation of scientific papers and funding proposals.
External:
The postholder will collaborate with Prof Kevin Foster (University of Oxford) and Prof Ana Traven (Monash University), as well as other academic partners in the UK and overseas. They will present findings at national and international conferences and engage in public outreach and science communication to share the lab’s research with broader audiences.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Perform bioinformatics analyses of Illumina short-read and MinION long-read sequencing data, as well as epigenomic datasets (ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C).

15

Assemble and annotate fungal and bacterial genomes; analyse RNA-seq datasets.

15

Develop and maintain scripts and pipelines for data processing.

15

Assist other members of the team in analysing their datasets.

15

Collaborate with internal and external partners, including Prof Foster and Prof Traven.

15

Engage in data interpretation and integration with biological context.

15

Contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

10

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics or related discipline

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Understanding of biology and microbial system

Essential

Genomic bioinformatics

Essential

Programming languages including Phyton and R

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in RNA-seq data analysis

Essential

Experience in genome assembly and annotation

Essential

Experience working on high-performance computing clusters

Essential

Proven expertise in analysis of Illumina short-read and/or MinION long-read sequencing data.

Essential

Good publication record or close to publications for junior scientists

Essential

Demonstrated ability to perform research

Essential

Experience with epigenomic data analysis (ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C)

Desirable

Experience in supervising junior lab members

Desirable

Experience with fungal or microbiome datasets

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Essential

An independent scientist who can develop their own biological questions and provide support for other bioinformatics projects

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

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

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

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

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

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

Group Details

Our group investigates how fungal biology connects to gut health and sustainable food systems. We study fungi as key organisms that interact with both the microbiome and the food we eat, influencing human health and nutrition.
Our work has two main strands:
1. Fungi and the gut microbiome
We explore how commensal fungi – those that normally live harmlessly within the human body – such as Candida albicans, adapt to the gut environment and interact with both the human host and the bacterial microbiome. Our aim is to understand how these fungi contribute to maintaining health, as well as the mechanisms that allow them to switch to a harmful state and cause disease.
A major discovery from the lab is that Candida albicans possesses an active RNAi pathway, and we are working to understand how this regulatory system modulates C. albicans adaptation to the gut.
2. Fungi and future foods
We use filamentous fungi to develop new, nutritious, and sustainable foods. In parallel, we study how these fungal-based foods influence gut health, linking food innovation with microbiome research.
By combining fundamental fungal biology with food and microbiome science, our work seeks to uncover how fungi can support healthier people and more sustainable diets.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Scientist (Bioinformatics)

We are seeking an enthusiastic Bioinformatics Research Scientist to join the Buscaino Lab at the Quadram Institute.

This Wellcome Trust–funded project explores the interplay between Candida albicans and gut bacterial adaptation, with a particular focus on RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms.

The postholder will be based at the Quadram Institute and will work closely with Prof Alessia Buscaino and members of her research group, as well as benefitting from support from the Institute’s bioinformatics team.

Background:

The successful candidate will lead the analysis of genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets generated throughout the project, including Illumina short‑read sequencing, MinION long‑read assemblies, RNA‑seq, ChIP‑seq, ATAC‑seq and Hi‑C. They will develop and maintain analytical scripts and pipelines, assemble and annotate fungal and bacterial genomes, and integrate results within their biological context. Strong coding skills and proven experience in genome assembly and annotation are essential.

The role is highly collaborative, involving close interaction with two key external partners: Prof Kevin Foster (University of Oxford) and Prof Ana Traven (Monash University). The post holder will contribute to a multidisciplinary effort to understand host–microbe interactions at the genomic level and will support other members of the Buscaino Lab by assisting with the analysis of their datasets. They will also contribute to scientific publications, prepare conference presentations, and present findings at national and international meetings. 

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate should have a PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics or related discipline. They will have knowledge of programming languages (Phyton and R) and proven experience in genome assembly and annotation. They will also have an understanding of biology and microbial system.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated bioinformatician to work at the interface of genomics, fungal biology and microbiome research, gaining experience within a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment.

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 24 months.

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 8th February 2026.

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