Main Purpose of the Job

This post will contribute to the Delivering Sustainable Wheat research program, which is a large, cross Institute BBSRC funding research program. The post holder will have responsibility for delivering scientific objectives within this large multi-disciplinary research program.

This role will focus on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of minerals from cereal products in the human digestive tract. The post holder will use advanced in vitro models including cell culture and organoid models to model the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of minerals from wheat products. There is also scope to couple these assays to our in vitro model colon systems to explore colonic uptake of minerals and the impact of dietary fibre. The wheat varieties to be investigated include heritage and landrace wheat varieties with variation in mineral content, and novel crops generated through TILLING and gene editing with elevated mineral contents. The minerals of interest include iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium. The role will involve working closely with Rothamsted Research and John Innes Centre to characterise novel wheat germplasm.

Key Relationships

The successful applicant will be directly managed by Assoc. Prof. Fred Warren in the Food Microbes and Health research programme at the Quadram Institute. They will work closely with other members of the group (postdoctoral researchers and PhD students). The applicant will also work closely with the Edwards group. The applicant will also interact with collaborators from a range of institutions including The John Innes Centre, Rothamsted Research and Imperial College, as well as collaborators in the Food Microbes and Health and Delivering Sustainable Wheat programs

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Designing and carrying out experimental work

60

Supervision and training of students

10

Preparation of manuscripts

10

Ensuring smooth running of the lab (ordering consumables, managing project budgets etc.)

5

Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements

5

Data analysis

5

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD in microbiology, nutrition, food science, biochemistry, or related area

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Expertise in developing cell culture assays

Essential

Expertise in methodologies for analysing mineral content

Desirable

Expertise in bioaccessbility/bioavailability assays and approaches

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience with cell culture methodologies

Essential

Experience working with in vitro models of the human digestive tract

Essential

Experience working with organoid or gut on chip systems

Desirable

Experience working with cereal foods

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Experience preparing scientific manuscripts for publication

Essential

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

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills with proven ability to meet deadlines

Essential

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

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

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

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

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 post will be based in the Warren group at Quadram. The Warren group focusses on understanding the impact of carbohydrate structure on digestion and the gut microbiome in health and disease. Based within the Delivering Substantiable Wheat and Food, Microbes and Health strategic programmes at the Quadram Institute, the group aims to leverage expertise in physical chemistry of carbohydrates, advanced gut models and 'omics technology to develop innovative microbiome targeted foods. We aim to take a holistic approach with research spanning crop and agricultural science, food production, gut modelling and gut diseases.  

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 Assoc. Prof. Warren in the Delivering Sustainable Wheat programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

Mineral deficiency is still a major problem in the UK and globally. Novel crop technologies are being developed to biofortify crops with minerals such as iron, zinc and calcium. However, it is not clear how bioavailable these minerals may be.
This post will contribute to the Delivering Sustainable Wheat research programme, which is a large, cross-institute BBSRC-funded strategic research programme, to address this key question. The post will be based in the Warren group at Quadram.
The Warren group focusses on understanding the impact of food structure on digestion and the gut microbiome in health and disease. The group aims to leverage expertise in physical chemistry of carbohydrates, advanced gut models and ‘omics technology to develop innovative microbiome-targeted foods. We aim to take a holistic approach with research spanning crop and agricultural science, food production, gut modelling and gut diseases.

The role:

The post holder will have responsibility for delivering scientific objectives within this large multi-disciplinary research programme. The role will focus on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of minerals from cereal products in the human digestive tract. The post holder will use advanced in vitro models including cell culture and organoid models to investigate the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of minerals from wheat products. There is also scope to couple these assays to our in vitro model colon systems to explore colonic uptake of minerals and the impact of dietary fibre.

The wheat varieties to be investigated include heritage and landrace wheat varieties with variation in mineral content, and novel crops generated through TILLING and gene editing with elevated mineral contents. The minerals of interest include iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium.

The role will involve working closely with Rothamsted Research and John Innes Centre to characterise novel wheat germplasm. The successful applicant will be directly managed by Assoc. Prof. Fred Warren in the Food, Microbes and Health research programme at the Quadram Institute. They will work closely with other members of the group (postdoctoral researchers and PhD students), as well as the Edwards group. The applicant will also interact with collaborators from a range of institutions including the John Innes Centre, Rothamsted Research and Imperial College, as well as collaborators across the Food, Microbes and Health and Delivering Sustainable Wheat programmes.

The ideal candidate:

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Research Scientist with a background in mineral nutrition, gut physiology, cell biology or food science to contribute to the scientific aims of two major research programmes: Food, Microbes and Health and Delivering Sustainable Wheat.

The post holder will have a PhD in nutrition, food science, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, or a related area. They will have experience of working with in vitro models of the human digestive tract and/or cell culture and organoid models. Experience with mineral analysis techniques (e.g. ICP-MS/OES) and knowledge of mineral bioaccessibility and bioavailability methodologies 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 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 21 April 2026.

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