Main Purpose of the Job

The research group of Dr Matthew Gilmour at the Quadram Institute is seeking a discovery-focused Research Scientist to join us in Norwich, UK.

The Research Scientist will investigate microbial communities in food systems using metagenomics and related approaches, to understand the dynamics and functional mechanisms driving microbial risks, with the aim of improving food safety and preventing spoilage. By integrating laboratory and bioinformatic analyses, and working closely with industry partners, the role will generate applied insights into microbial behaviour in real-world production environments, supporting the development of strategies to improve food quality, reduce waste, and mitigate food safety risks. Focal work includes study of the genetics and mechanisms of Listeria’s ability to persist within foods and food production environments.

The Research Scientist will utilise Quadram’s extensive technology platforms in genome sequencing, metagenomics, bioinformatics, and culture-based models, with all studies rooted in a collaborative approach with experts from other disciplines who study food quality and gut health.

Key Relationships

Internal: Reporting to Dr Gilmour, the Research Scientist will have a leadership role with other members of the group and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Safer Food programme and our Institute.

External: Collaborations will be found within the Norwich Research Park and with key UK and international public health and food safety authorities and with UK food businesses.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Design, lead, and deliver research projects focusing in understanding microbial communities in the food industry in the context of food safety and food quality

10

Design, plan, carry out and modify metagenomic and culture-based experiments to meet the objectives of the project

10

Apply high-throughput sequencing approaches (e.g., genomics and metagenomics) to investigate microbial dynamics in food systems

10

Perform and supervise bioinformatic analyses of metagenomic data, including taxonomic and functional profiling

10

Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media

10

Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings

10

Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications  

10

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

5

Contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, supervision of PhD students and visitors to the laboratory and assisting with training others, encouraging scientific excellence

5

Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive team environment, fostering positive working relationships within the research group and across the Institute

5

Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities

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

Liaise and work closely with industry partners and external collaborators, particularly within the food sector

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD or equivalent in Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics, or Biochemistry, or related discipline

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Understanding of high-throughput sequencing and microbial genomics

Essential

Experience with metagenomic data analysis

Essential

Experience with molecular microbiology and culture-based laboratory approaches

Essential

Experience in genomics data management in a high performance compute environment

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Demonstrated ability to perform microbiology or infectious disease research by generating new ideas and experiments to test those ideas

Essential

Proven record in scientific writing

Essential

Experience of delivering oral research presentations to scientific audiences

Essential

Preparing data / information for grant proposals

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to work as part of a team and with external partners

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

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement, with a high level of motivation to succeed

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

The ability to prioritize activities and follow SOP’s

Essential

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

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

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

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

Microbes and Food Safety

Group Details

At Quadram, Dr Gilmour’s group studies how microbial hazards emerge, persist, and transmit through food systems and related environments. We focus on the interface between microbial genetics, ecology, and real-world exposure, with the aim of understanding how pathogens and wider microbial communities adapt to processing, storage, and control measures.

Our work combines isolate genomics, metagenomics, and experimental microbiology to examine how microbial populations are structured, how adaptive traits arise and are maintained, and how these traits influence persistence and risk. This includes studying microbial communities and biofilms on foods and food contact environments, and linking genetic and ecological observations to measurable outcomes in laboratory models.

A defining feature of the group is the integration of real-world contexts with laboratory models. We move deliberately from genome and community analyses to functional validation, and where possible, to application with partners in food safety, public health, and industry.
 

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Scientist
The research group of Dr Matthew Gilmour at the Quadram Institute is seeking a discovery-focused Research Scientist to join us in Norwich, UK.

Background:

At Quadram, Dr Gilmour’s group studies how microbial hazards emerge, persist, and transmit through food systems and related environments. We focus on the interface between microbial genetics, ecology, and real-world exposure, with the aim of understanding how pathogens and wider microbial communities adapt to processing, storage, and control measures.

Our work combines isolate genomics, metagenomics, and experimental microbiology to examine how microbial populations are structured, how adaptive traits arise and are maintained, and how these traits influence persistence and risk. This includes studying microbial communities and biofilms on foods and food contact environments, and linking genetic and ecological observations to measurable outcomes in laboratory models.

A defining feature of the group is the integration of real-world contexts with laboratory models. We move deliberately from genome and community analyses to functional validation, and where possible, to application with partners in food safety, public health, and industry.

The role:

As a member of a research team, the role sits within a highly collaborative environment with people-centric values. At Quadram there is access to advanced genomics and bioinformatics platforms and strong links to partners in food safety, public health, and industry. Just as importantly, there is access to mentorship on leadership activities and how to collaboratively develop research projects that bring benefit to UK consumers and our partners.

The postholder will take ownership of linked computational and experimental workstreams, using genomic and ecological data to generate hypotheses, and designing laboratory studies to test them.

Core responsibilities include:

• Analysing microbial genome and metagenome datasets to characterise population structure, diversity, and adaptive traits
• Investigating microbial communities associated with foods and production environments, including interactions that influence persistence and control
• Designing and delivering laboratory-based studies, including functional and fitness-based assays, to validate genomic and ecological findings
• Integrating results across datasets and systems to identify mechanisms relevant to real-world risk
• Working directly with industry and public sector partners to ensure research questions and outputs remain grounded in application

The ideal candidate:

Candidates will have a PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g. Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics, or Biochemistry) and have experience with metagenome and microbial genome data management and analyses, paired with molecular microbiology laboratory skills. Knowledge and skills with culture-based models, such as bacterial biofilms, are desirable. Candidates should also have proven track-record in publishing their scientific findings, while having a high emotional intelligence for working within scientific teams.  

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 22 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 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 15 May 2026.

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