Main Purpose of the Job

The Research Scientist will characterise transposon mutant libraries in Shewanella and other relevant organisms as part of the EB MIND Engineering Biology Mission Award. They will liaise with other partners in the network to help design experiments, sequence mutant libraries and analyse data, and to perform other molecular microbiology as required to help with various aspects of the consortiums activities.

Key Relationships

Internal: With the line manager, Professor Mark Webber, group members, as well as other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute and wider Norwich Research Park (NRP). External: Collaborators external to Norwich funded on the Mission award (Manchester and Durham)

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Design of TraDIS experiments and DNA extraction, library preparation and sequencing of mutant libraries and informatic analysis of outputs

30

Generation of defined mutants in Shewanella and phenotypic testing to support predictions from genomic data

25

Analysis of gene expression with transcriptomics or qRT-PCR and other classical molecular microbiology as required

15

Liaison with consortium members and communication internally and externally regarding hub activities

15

Preparation of manuscripts, reports and seminars

10

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

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A PhD in Microbiology or a related discipline

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to write articles for peer-reviewed scientific journals

Essential

Knowledge of applied environmental microbiology

Essential

Knowledge of Transposon mutagenesis approaches or other omic methodologies

Essential

Basic Bioinformatics skills

Essential

Molecular genetics of microbes - cloning and mutant generation

Essential

Knowledge of bacterial metallobiology

Desirable

Knowledge of sequencing library preparation

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Hands on experience with molecular genetics - cloning and mutant generation

Essential

Proven record in scientific writing

Essential

Experience in training other lab members

Essential

Experience with handling environmental microbes

Essential

Experience running bioinformatic pipelines

Essential

Hands on experience with Transposon mutant libraries

Desirable

Experience measuring bacterial phenotyping

Desirable

Experience measuring metal susceptibility

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

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

Essential

Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Highly committed and motivated to succeed

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Ability to think creatively, contribute new ideas, troubleshoot

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

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

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

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

Microbes and Food Safety

Group Details

The post holder will join the Webber group whilst also closely liaising with collaborating groups at Durham and Manchester. The Webber group studies bacterial responses to stress with a focus on genetic adaptation and evolution in varied bacterial species. This project will exploit state of the art facilities for genomics, in particular the TraDIS-Xpress method developed by Webber and Charles and will use mutant libraries in Shewanella and other organisms relevant to the Engineering Biology Mission funding the post. The project will provide a stimulating, multidisciplinary training environment that will assist the post holder in their successful scientific development as well as opportunities to interact with multiple stakeholders in other organisms pursuing shared goals.

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 Mark Webber in the Microbes and Food Safety programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The post holder will join the Webber group as part of a consortium project (EB-MIND) studying bacterial responses to metal stress and will closely liaise with external partners. The Webber group studies bacterial responses to stress with a focus on genetic adaptation and evolution in varied bacterial species.

This project will exploit state of the art facilities for genomics, in particular the TraDIS-Xpress method developed at QIB and will use mutant libraries in Shewanella and other organisms relevant to recovery of metals from contaminated environments.

This post will provide a stimulating, multidisciplinary training environment that will assist the post holder in their successful scientific development as well as opportunities to interact with multiple stakeholders in other organisms pursuing shared goals.

The role:

The Research Scientist will be required to work on a project developing new approaches to engineer bacteria to transform recovery and processing of important metals. This will be as part of an exciting multi centre project and the post will be able to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team within the Quadram Institute and across the UK. The postholder will apply transposon mutagenesis to identify how to develop strains with improved characteristics.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have a PhD in microbiology or a related discipline. Experience working with Omic data and environmental microbes is essential as is experience with molecular genetics. Prior knowledge of transposon mutagenesis approaches and Metallobiology is desirable but not essential. Candidates should have some experience in bioinformatics although this need not be advanced as training in specific pipelines will be given.  Excellent communication and organisational skills, experience in training lab members and the ability to work independently are essential to this role.

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Mark Webber mark.webber@quadram.ac.uk in the first instance.

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 2027.

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 are anticipated to be held within the week of the 20th of April 2026.

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.

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 7th April 2026. 

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