Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Metagenomics

Unist; Norwich; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative research institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to contribute to a groundbreaking project aimed at achieving net-zero emissions through climate-resilient practices. This role offers the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of soil microbiomes, utilizing cutting-edge metagenomics and machine learning techniques. As part of a collaborative team, you will investigate how soil health impacts biodiversity and food security, working in a vibrant environment at a leading research park. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to make a significant impact in climate science, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Access to advanced sequencing facilities

Collaboration with leading research institutes

Mentorship opportunities

Support for visa applications

Disability Confident employer

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in relevant fields like biology or bioinformatics.
• Experience in scientific experiments and writing papers.

Responsibilities

• Profile taxonomic and functional compositions of soil samples.
• Use machine learning to predict soil microbiomes and their functions.

Skills

Microbiomes & biodiversity

Metagenomics

Ecology & evolution

Programming (R, Python, Perl, C++)

Statistical analysis

Education

PhD in Biology

PhD in Bioinformatics

PhD in Computer Science

Tools

Metagenomics software

Statistical software

Machine learning frameworks

Job description

Organisation/Company Earlham Institute Research Field Biological sciences » Biodiversity Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 8 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Hildebrand and Prof Quince in the Research Faculty of the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

This post is part of the OpenCLIM_LANDS project, that aims at providing the insights needed to put the UK on a path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, achieved through climate resilient soil health, food security, and biodiversity net gain. In this multi-centre project, we will combine climate forecasting with latest advances in soil science to enable a unique perspective into land use under forecasted climate change scenarios.

The role:

In this post, we will address the following questions: How do soil microbes establish, contribute and maintain healthy, biodiverse macro- & micro-communities, and how are these impacted by different land use scenarios? How can we use machine learning to predict soil microbiomes from either pristine or agriculturally used soils, predict their functional capacity (e.g. carbon storage)? What practices can help microbial soil communities recover? To answer these and more questions the OpenCLIM_LANDS multi-centre project was established.

The project holder will use metagenomics (similar to doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0386-6, 10.1111/1462-2920.15314) to profile both taxonomic and functional compositions of >3,000 newly sequenced soil sites. Using machine learning we will build comprehensive profiles of typically expected microbial profiles across soil sites (similar to doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.05.024) and their relation to soil health and carbon storage. Using a combination of robotics and third-generation sequencing, we will use predictive microbial modelling to improve land use on existing agricultural sites. Long-term, this work will enable microbially-informed agriculture, combating the impact of climate change and understanding how healthy soil microbiomes are established & maintained.

The environment:
The Hildebrand group uses metagenomics to research the diversity, community interactions, and evolution of microbes in communities using custom software solutions. The Quince group explores environmental and host-associated microbiomes using statistics and machine learning. Both groups are situated at the Norwich Research Park (NRP) UK, that integrates the 4 BBSRC Institutes, University of East Anglia (UEA), > 15 companies, 3,000 researchers and clinicians, and 17,000 students. Norwich ranked in the top 10 of UK cities with a historical town centre and an active food & coffee aficionado scene.

OpenCLIM_LANDS is a multi-centre UK collaboration between Earlham & Quadram Institutes, UEA, University of Leeds, Newcastle University, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, among others. The applicant will have direct access to established PacBio/ONT, Hi-C and single cell sequencing facilities, as well as one of UK’s largest HPC cluster on-site.

The ideal candidate:

The applicant needs to hold a PhD (or equivalent) in biology, bioinformatics, computer science or a related discipline with a background and/or interest in at least one of the following subjects:

- Microbiomes & biodiversity
- Metagenomics & patient cohorts
- Ecology & evolution

The ideal candidate will have experience in conducting scientific experiments independently, writing papers, presenting work and grant writing. Basic statistics and programming skills (either R, python, Perl, C++, or equivalent) is expected. Specialised skills will be taught and developed through mentorship and collaborations. The applicant is expected to help in the supervision of junior group members and to represent the group at trainings.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £42,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-timepost with an expected end date of September 2027, with the potential for extension.

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.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 8 June 2025. Interviews will likely be held around 17 and/or 18 June 2025.