Group Leader (Microbes and Food Safety)

The Norwich BioScience Institutes; Norwich; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Quadram Institute seeks an exceptional scientist to lead the Microbes and Food Safety programme. You will drive strategic direction, coordinate world‑class researchers and build collaborative networks to tackle microbial threats in the food chain.

You will develop a robust research portfolio, leverage imaging, genomics and bioinformatics, and work with industry and government partners to enhance food safety and resilience of our food systems.

Qualifications

• Exceptional scientist with a proven track record in microbiology, food safety and related disciplines.
• Strong leadership and vision to drive a dedicated research stream within a multidisciplinary institute.
• Proven ability to secure funding and build collaborative, cross‑disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the 'Microbes and Food Safety' programme within Quadram Institute and shape its strategic direction.
• Develop and execute a high‑impact research portfolio exploiting core capabilities in imaging, genomics and bioinformatics.
• Foster collaborations with industry and government to improve food safety, resilience of food supplies and reduce waste.

Job description

Welcome from Professor Daniel Figeys, Director and Chief Executive

Thank you for your interest in joining the Quadram Institute.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of integrated food and health research within the state-ofthe-art Quadram Institute, located at the heart of the Norwich Research Park. The Institute brings together research groups from Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), the University of East Anglia (UEA), and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) to deliver world-leading expertise in food science, microbiology, bioinformatics, and clinical research.

With the appointment of a number of world-leading Group Leaders, we are strengthening our ambition to deliver societal benefit through fundamental and translational microbiology, food and health research.

• Our new strategy is built around three strategic directions that will shape the next phase of our science and partnerships:
• Healthier Lives: advancing precision nutrition and microbiome-based interventions to improve health across the life course;
• Safer Food: tackling microbial and xenobiotic risks and ensuring the integrity and resilience of the food system;
  and;
• Future Food: developing next-generation crops, ingredients, and dietary solutions that support sustainable and healthy diets.

We are conducting an ongoing search to seek an exceptional scientist with a proven record of high-impact research in Microbes and Food Safety, with the leadership and vision to drive this critical workstream within our evolving strategy.

Closing date for applications is 30 th September 2026.

This site and an attached information pack has been developed to provide you with more information about us, our research and the Norwich Research Park. Please browse our website at http://quadram.ac.uk/ for further information.

Professor Daniel Figeys
Director and Chief Executive
Quadrum Institute

What we're looking for

We are looking for an exceptional scientist with a research focus on ensuring food safety and security. You will join other world class Principal Investigators and research scientists within the ‘Microbes and Food Safety’ research programme at the Quadram Institute. The priorities for this programme are to reduce enduring and emerging threats to the safety of UK food supplies. This includes not only microbial pathogens, but also food spoilage organisms, antimicrobial resistance, xenobiotics (chemical agents) that enter the food chain, and the wider microbial communities on foods and in food processing environments which can all impact human health. Our team have expertise that brings together excellence in imaging, microbiology, genomics, bioinformatics and mathematical modelling in understanding how bacteria thrive as communities across the food chain.

The Quadram Institute is a state-of-the-art facility based in Norwich. We are seeking to bring in a forward-thinking group leader who wants to develop their research programme, exploiting our considerable capabilities and helping to consolidate the Quadram Institute as a world leader in food safety and research. In the Microbes and Food Safety programme, our research spans three themes:

• What and where are the microbial threats in the food chain?
• What are the mechanisms of survival of microbial threats in the food chain?
• How can we use this information to improve food safety and reduce food waste?

Applicants should have an excellent track record in an area of research that can address the key strategic aims of the programme. Successful candidates will have a good publication record and obvious potential for attracting funding commensurate for their career stage, and most importantly, have a clear vision for collaborative research to improve the safety and resiliency of our food supplies.

While core research will deliver against our strategic objectives and research themes, we expect the successful applicant to develop their broader portfolio of research through uplift funding. Collaboration is a core value at the Quadram Institute, and we encourage collaboration with other scientists in the institute and beyond, and with stakeholders in industry and government.

The post will be based at the £75m Quadram Institute, an interdisciplinary research institute at the forefront of a new era in food and health research. The institute provides outstanding and custom-built facilities which bring together medical and molecular microbiologists, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians and clinicians to deliver pioneering interdisciplinary research.

The Quadram Institute supports flexible, innovative working that brings together our scientists with partners co-located on the renowned Norwich Research Park including the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory and the Earlham Institute. Our team are also members of the recently established Centre for Microbial Interactions, a virtual centre bringing together the more than 100 microbiology research groups working across the Park. Norwich, the City of Stories, is a magnificent medieval city that is rich in arts and sciences, while being a short distance from London (two hours by train).

The successful applicant will be offered an indefinite contract, or for applicants with less experience, a Career Track Group Leader position (5 year contract) with tenure subject to review. Positions come with a significant support package with an equivalent value up to £500,000, including a Postdoctoral Research Assistant, start-up package, budget for consumables and other research expenses, and access to core services such as genome sequencing and advanced microbial bioimaging. We offer an exciting, innovative and supportive research environment, competitive salaries (depending on qualifications and experience) and a great place to live - a relocation package is available.

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

At QIB we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We value the diversity of our staff and are committed to creating a positive environment, one that is fair, welcoming and inclusive, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Please let us know if you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best.