Research Scientist

The research group of Dr Matthew Gilmour at the Quadram Institute is seeking applications for 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.

The role:

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.
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

Integrating results across datasets and systems to identify mechanisms relevant to real-world risk
Working directly with industry and public sector partners

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.

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.

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 1006104.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. 

Interviews are anticipated for the week of 8^th June 2026.

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.

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