Main Purpose of the Job

The group will focus on sulphate and sulphite reducing bacteria, a key family of gut bacteria involved in sulfur and nitrogen cycling, and their interactions with the host and the wider gut microbiome. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to building a dynamic team at the interface of microbial physiology, metabolism, and host–microbe interactions.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated microbiologist to bridge in vitro microbiome models and in vivo systems, using functional assays, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to uncover how key members of the Desulfovibrionaceae influence metabolic outcomes.

We’re looking for someone with a PhD in microbiology or a related field, ideally with experience in molecular microbiology, microbial genomics, or microbiome analysis. Experience with bioinformatics or animal models would be a great advantage.

The post holder will work at the intersection of microbiology, molecular biology, and microbiome science to explore how sulfur- and nitrogen-transforming bacteria contribute to metabolic health outcomes. Key responsibilities include:

• Performing anaerobic culturing of gut bacteria, particularly within the Desulfovibrionaceae.
• Conducting gut model experiments to study microbiome–host interactions under different dietary conditions.
• Applying genetic engineering and functional genomics approaches to investigate key metabolic pathways.
• Performing microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses to link microbial activity with metabolic phenotypes.
• Collaborating with internal and external partners within the Food, Microbiome and Health programme, and contributing to publications, presentations, and future grant proposals.

Key Relationships

The post holder will work closely with researchers within the Sayavedra Group and coordinate studies with internal and external collaborators, including the Narbad and Beraza groups, other human microbiome research teams and clinicians at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, such as Dr Emma Webb.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Design and conduct in vitro microbiome and bacterial functional assays to investigate sulfur and nitrogen metabolism

30

Integrate multi-omics datasets (metagenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) to identify metabolic pathways linked to health outcomes

20

Translate mechanistic insights from in vitro systems to in vivo models in collaboration with internal and external partners

20

Analyse, interpret, and present research findings; prepare manuscripts and contribute to grant applications

20

Ensure research, data management, and record-keeping comply with best scientific practice, ethics, and institutional policies

5

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

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A PhD in microbiology, molecular microbiology, or a related field.

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Experienced with R

Essential

Anaerobic microbiology

Essential

Proven research experience in microbial physiology, metabolism, or molecular microbiology

Essential

Experience with animal models / tissue culture

Essential

Microbiome or metagenomic data analysis

Essential

Functional genomics and pathway analysis

Essential

Practical experience on microbial genetics

Desirable

Familiarity with metabolomics or transcriptomics

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Track record of publishing research in peer-reviewed journals

Essential

Experience of conducting human studies, including sample collection or human research governance

Desirable

Experience with in vitro colonic models

Desirable

Experience supervising students

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team

Essential

Enthusiasm for contributing to a growing research group

Essential

Experience in supervising and supporting the development of students

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work alone and as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Commitment to supporting a respectful, inclusive and collaborative workplace culture.

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

Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role

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

Research Scientist

We’re looking for a motivated Research Scientist to join the laboratory of Dr Lizbeth Sayavedra in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience.

The postholder will help investigate how microbial sulfur and nitrogen metabolism influences human health, with a particular focus on protein malnutrition and obesity. Research in the lab centres on sulphate- and sulphite-reducing bacteria of the Desulfovibrionaceae and their interactions with the host and the wider gut microbiome. Our work uses a range of advanced host-relevant experimental systems, including in vitro and in vivo models, integrated with anaerobic microbiology and metagenomics.

This position is ideally suited to a scientist with experience in host-based experimental systems who is motivated to apply microbiome and microbial metabolism approaches to mechanistic questions in host health. The host group and institute are committed to development of staff, and this role offers an exceptional environment for candidates to progress their careers.

The role:

The post holder will take a leading role in host-focused experimentation, with responsibilities including:
• Designing and performing tissue culture, organoid, or in vivo experiments to investigate host–microbiome interactions
• Coordinating microbial perturbation experiments linked to dietary or metabolic interventions
• Anaerobic culturing and preparation of gut bacteria, particularly members of the Desulfovibrionaceae, for host interaction studies
• Application of genetic and functional genomics approaches to investigate sulfur and nitrogen metabolic pathways
• Integration of host experimental data with metagenomic analyses, including interpretation of microbial functional potential and activity
• Contribution to study design, data integration, publications, presentations, and future grant proposals

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should hold a PhD in microbiology, molecular microbiology or a related discipline. The postholder will have demonstrable hands-on experience with tissue culture, organoids, and/or in vivo models as well as a solid understanding of host–microbiome interactions and experimental design in host systems.

Candidates should have a working knowledge of metagenomics and bioinformatics sufficient to analyse or interpret complex datasets and the ability to work independently and integrate results across host and microbial systems. Experience working with anaerobic bacteria or complex microbial communities and familiarity with Linux-based environments or reproducible data analysis workflows would be advantageous.

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 for a contract of 36 months with the possibility for extension.

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 in late March / early April 2026.

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 22 March 2026

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