Main Purpose of the Job

QIB is establishing a small MHRA licensed manufacturing facility for Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) products. The post holder will participate in the set up of the premises, equipment and manufacturing processes to meet the required standards to attain licensing.

Once the facility is operational the Deputy Production Manager will support and assist the FMT Facility Production Manager in managing all aspects of the licensed manufacture of specialist medicinal products for FMT for the treatment of NHS patients and for clinical trials conducted by QIB Research Teams and NHS Clinicians. The postholder will also support development the QIB FMT Facility and will have opportunities to participate in the research and development of new FMT derived products.

Key Relationships

The post holder will work closely with FMT Unit Production Manager, FMT Unit Science Director, Qualified Person, GMP & QA Advisor,  FMT service users, QIB FMT  quality Manager and their deputy.,  QIB Laboratory Managers  and QIB Facilities Management Company. They will also interact with clinicians and hospital staff at NNUH as well as with the donor volunteers and staff members at Quadram's Clinical Research facility.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Supporting and assisting in the management of all aspects relating to the manufacture of FMT products to ensure the service provided encompasses the principles of best practice in accordance with all relevant standards.

75

Participation in the initial set up and validation of the new FMT Facility and equipment and
manufacturing processes.

5

To assist the FMT Facility Production Manager with scheduling the workload of the facility and promote the available service, and plan and monitor the capacity of the facility accordingly.

5

To establish and maintain a close working relationship with the QIB FMT Facility Quality Manager (and deputy) to support the FMT Facility Production Manager in ensuring high standards are maintained and a cohesive approach to service developments and continuous improvement is achieved.

5

To support and participate in relevant research as required by the needs of the service.

5

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

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Degree, or equivalent, in a relevant scientific discipline, i.e. Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology

Essential

Pharmaceutical Technology & Quality Assurance (PTQA) qualification

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Practical experience in a pharmaceutical manufacturing or laboratory environment

Essential

Environmental/Microbiological/Contamination control

Essential

Understanding of Risk Management

Desirable

Practical experience of microbiology and in operating the following equipment: Biosafety cabinet, Anaerobic cabinet, Freeze Dryer, Centrifuge, Bench Autoclave

Desirable

An interest in participating in ongoing research

Desirable

Understanding the principles of validation

Desirable

Understanding of the Principles of Good Manufacturing Practice

Desirable

Understanding of Regulations for conducting clinical trials under an MHRA IMP licence

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Practical experience of working in a similar or transferable role

Essential

Practical experience in a GMP environment

Desirable

Practical experience of MHRA licensing of pharmaceutical manufacturing and / or aseptic dispensing

Desirable

Experience in facility management

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

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

Essential

Ability to manage changing priorities and a fluctuating workload

Essential

Self motivated and willing to learn

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

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

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

Science Operations

Group Details

The Narbad group at QIB has a broad interest in microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and the role of the complex gut microbiome in health and disease.  We have interest in modulating the gut microbiome using a number of approaches including the application of faecal microbiota transplants for the treatments of microbiome associated disorders. We work closely with the clinicians at the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital including the group of Dr Ngozi Elumogo and Dr Alvin Ochieng, Consultant Microbiologists at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to undertake human intervention and clinical trials.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Deputy Pharmaceutical Production Manager

Applications are invited for a Deputy Pharmaceutical Production Manager for the new Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) Facility at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Norwich, UK.

Background:

We are seeking to appoint a  Deputy Pharmaceutical Production Manager with an interest in human studies to investigate the application of Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and other microbiome associated diseases to join the Existing FMT Team

QIB is establishing a small  facility to be licensed by the MHRA for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products for Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) to be used in the treatment of NHS patients and for clinical trials conducted by QIB Research Teams and NHS Clinicians.

The teams at QIB and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) have already used FMT to successfully treat patients with recurrent CDI and are planning to further expand the application of this technology.

The role:

The post holder will participate in the set up of the premises, equipment and manufacturing processes to meet the required standards  to attain licensing.

Once the facility is operational, the postholder will support and assist the FMT Facility Production Manager in managing all aspects of the licensed manufacture of specialist medicinal products for FMT for the treatment of NHS patients and for clinical trials conducted by QIB Research Teams and NHS Clinicians.

They will deputise for the FMT Facility Production Manager in their absence and be  responsible for maintaining  standards to retain MHRA licensing whilst managing all aspects around the provision of a service to supply specialist medicinal products for the treatment of NHS patients and for clinical trials.  The work will include hands-on production of the medicinal products.

As the FMT Service develops, there will be opportunities for the post holder to participate in research on the development of FMT products and to be involved in the relevant clinical trials and to establish links with clinicians and gain transferable skills in NHS-related research.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should possess a degree, or equivalent, in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology or Biological Sciences and some practical experience in a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing/Quality Assurance or laboratory environment.

Candidates should have  knowledge of regulatory control and Quality Management Systems and an understanding of Risk Management.

Excellent organisational and communication skills are essential.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £39,000 to £46,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for an initial contract of 3 years. Part-time or flexible working hours would be considered.

Candidates submitting a CV are required to also provide a covering letter which clearly explains your motivation for the application and how you meet the criteria for the post. For informal enquires about the post, please contact Arjan Narbad (arjan.narbad@quadram.ac.uk). 

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

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 30th July 2026.

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