Main Purpose of the Job

The postholder will plan and undertake experimental research focussed on understanding how dietary polyphenols interact with gut microbes to alter methylamine metabolism. To train other members of the group in microbiology and molecular biology methods.

To draft manuscripts to be submitted for publication and to disseminate their and the group's research to a range of audiences including at external scientific conferences and seminars and public engagement events.

Key Relationships

Internal:
Line manager (Paul kroon)
Cosignatory (Mark Webber)
Members of the Kroon Group
As necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute.

External: Collaborators on the NRP and further afield.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

To plan and undertake experimental research focussed on understanding how dietary polyphenols interact with gut microbes to alter methylamine metabolism

70

To draft manuscripts to be submitted for publication

15

To train other members of the group in microbiology and molecular biology methods

10

To disseminate their and the group's research to a range of audiences including at external scientific conferences and seminars, public engagement events, Coffee Break Science, internal seminars, etc...

5

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in Microbiology / Molecular Biology or related subject

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge of microbiology and specifically of gut microbial ecology

Essential

Expertise in a range of molecular biology methods including cloning and PCR

Essential

Expertise in a range of microbiology techniques

Essential

Knowledge of in vitro human colon models and their use in studies of microbial metabolism

Desirable

Knowledge of quantitative LC-MS-based analytical chemistry methods

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in using a range of standard microbiological methods

Essential

Experience in using a range of molecular biology methods including cloning, (q)PCR and qRT-PCR

Essential

Ability to train others in molecular biology and microbiology methods

Essential

Experience of supervising students and other early career researchers

Essential

Experience of using HPLC and/or LC-MS methods of analysis

Desirable

Experience in using in vitro human colon models

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Track record of publishing research papers in scientific journals

Essential

Ability to give interesting and impactful oral presentations to a range of audiences

Essential

Ability to work well in a team and contribute effectively to the research group

Essential

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

Essential

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Ability to work independently

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 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 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 successful candidate will join the Kroon group at QIB and work within the Food, Microbiome and Health Institute Strategic Programme. The Kroon group have been undertaking research to understand how polyphenols in plant foods interact with the human body with a view to understanding their contributions to the health benefits of plant food and fruit and vegetable-rich diets for over 25 years. The current focus is on understanding how interaction of polyphenosl with the gut microbiome has beneficial effects on the human host.

This research includes work to determine the production of beneficial phenolic metabolites and also their role in increasing the production of beneficial microbial metabolites (e.g., short chain fatty acids) and reducing the production of harmful microbial metabolites (e.g., trimethylamine).

The successful candidate will build on recently completed research showing that specific dietary polyphenols inhibit the microbial production of trimethylamine from L-carnitine but that this is not due to a reduction in the abundance of the bacteria that carry the L-carnitine utilising genes.

The Kroon Group comprises three postdocs and a PhD student and is supported by scientific support staff with expertise in human colon models, metabolomics, quantitative analytical chemistry, sequencing, bioinformatics and human studies.

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 Dr Paul Kroon in the Quadram Institute, Norwich, UK.

Background:

The successful candidate will join the Kroon group at Quadram Institute Bioscience and work within the Food, Microbiome and Health Institute Strategic Programme. The Kroon group have been undertaking research to understand how polyphenols in plant foods interact with the human body with a view to understanding their contributions to the health benefits of plant food and fruit and vegetable-rich diets for over 25 years. The current focus is on understanding how interaction of polyphenols with the gut microbiome has beneficial effects on the human host. This research includes work to determine the production of beneficial phenolic metabolites and also their role in increasing the production of beneficial microbial metabolites (e.g., short chain fatty acids) and reducing the production of harmful microbial metabolites (e.g., trimethylamine).

The successful candidate will build on recently completed research showing that specific dietary polyphenols inhibit the microbial production of trimethylamine from L-carnitine. They will investigate the underlying mechanisms and in particular explore whether the effects are on gene abundance and/or gene expression and/or protein functions.

The Kroon Group currently comprises three postdocs, a PhD student and visiting scientists and is supported by scientific support staff with expertise in human colon models, metabolomics, quantitative analytical chemistry, sequencing, bioinformatics and human studies.

The role:

The Research Scientist will work on an exciting project that seeks to determine how specific polyphenols interfere with gut microbial methylamine metabolism at a molecular level. They will use single strains and human faecal inoculated in vitro colon models to explore whether the effects are due to changes in the abundance and/or transcription of microbial genes involved in methylamine metabolism and/or on the protein machinery (e.g., enzymes, transporters).

The ideal candidate:

The candidate will have a PhD in Microbiology / Molecular Biology and will be experienced using in a range of microbiology and molecular biology methods. They will develop skills in using human in vitro colon models (including high-throughput models) and LC-MS-based quantitative analytical methods, and also in qPCR, qRT-PCR and enzymology.

Good communication and organisation skills with the ability to work independently are also required. The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the training and development of PhD students and other early career researchers.

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 until 31 March 2028.

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 People-Centred Impact, Inclusive Excellence, Trusted Integrity, Collaborative Spirit and Agile Innovation 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 an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Our vision is Healthy living by design: promoting lifelong health by decoding the interactions between food science, nutrition, microbes, microbiomes and human physiology, and transforming this knowledge into innovative solutions for society.

A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, The Quadram Institute 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 25 June 2026.

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