Postdoctoral Researcher - Gut Microbiology

University of Reading; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Reading seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in Gut Microbiology within the Food Microbial Sciences Unit. This role focuses on developing novel synbiotics to enhance gut health, requiring expertise in microbiology and metabonomics. The position promises collaboration within a dynamic research group and a chance to impact military health through innovative microbial solutions.

Qualifications

• PhD in gut microbiology or closely related field.
• Good knowledge of gut modelling and general microbiology.
• Experience in anaerobic microbiology.
• Good knowledge of human metabonomics and gut microbial function.
• Experience in metabolic profiling analyses.
• Scientific writing skills and research publications.

Responsibilities

• Use gut models to explore microbial approaches for cognitive function and gut health.
• Develop new probiotic microorganisms and synbiotic variants.
• Evaluate synbiotic intervention effects on gut microbiota.

Skills

Gut modelling

Microbiology

Anaerobic microbiology

Human metabonomics

Metabolic profiling analyses

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in gut microbiology or related field

Job description

Full time, Fixed Term for 3 Years

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 4th August 2025

Postdoctoral Researcher in Gut Microbiology (Food Microbial Sciences Unit, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a postdoctoral researcher in the Food Microbial Sciences Unit at the University of Reading, focussed on the development of novel synbiotics for improved gut health. They will join a research group of 5 academics and around 20 PhD students.

The main duties and responsibilities will be to:

• Use gut models to explore new microbial approaches associated with cognitive function and gut health in military personnel
• Develop new probiotic microorganisms and synbiotic variants, and
• Evaluate (in vitro) the capacity for synbiotic intervention to induce favourable modulations in the gut microbiota of soldiers to help ameliorate the symptoms of psychological welfare.

This will involve a broad range of techniques that encompass microbiology, biochemistry, metabonomics, bioinformatics and gut modelling. It will require a skilled postdoctoral scientist who will be familiar with such methods or is sufficiently versatile to rapidly acquire the required capacity.

You will have :

• A PhD in gut microbiology or closely related field
• Good knowledge of gut modelling and general microbiology
• Experience in anaerobic microbiology
• Good knowledge of human metabonomics and gut microbial function
• Experience in metabolic profiling analyses
• Scientific writing skills and research publications

Please see the job description and personal specification for further details.

Interviews will be held: w/c 11^th August 2025

Contact details for advert
Contact Name Dr Anisha Wijeyesekera
Contact Job Title Associate Professor in Human Microbiome Studies
Contact Email address [e-mail]

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.