Microbiome Project Scientist

Applications are invited for a Microbiome Project Scientist to join the Laboratory of Prof Hildebrand in the Gut, Microbes and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

How do gut fungi colonize new human hosts and do they persist for decades with the same human? Do their genomes change over time? To answer these and follow up questions, the Hildebrand group received an ERC Starter grant, a project that the post holder will help shape. Our aim is to dissect these questions on a family centric cohort, PEARL-AGE (https://quadram.ac.uk/pearl-agestudy/).

The role:

We’re looking for an enthusiastic researcher interested in culturing fungi, using amplicon sequencing to characterize microbiomes, working with human samples, DNA extractions and sequencing library preparations. In addition, the candidate will also be involved in ongoing research within the group, such as analysing metagenomes, biasing DNA extractions to improve overall throughput of current lab protocols as well as looking into mechanisms to reduce overall costs for these.

The post holder will work on the EPYC ERC project and other related projects in the Hildebrand lab. They will develop skills in advanced microbiology techniques, sequencing technologies, culturing work with eukaryotes and prokaryotes and DNA extractions.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should ideally have a higher academic education (PhD or similar levels of laboratory / writing / management experience) in microbiology or a related discipline. A good understanding of the human microbiome is of advantage, as is previous experience working with microbiomes, DNA extractions and culturing microbes. Good communication and organisation skills with the ability to work independently are also required.

The post is expected to commence in late 2025.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £28,890 to £32,100 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post until July 2026.

For further information and details of how to apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004991.

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 25 November 2025

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

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