Research Scientist

Quadram Institute; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Hours per week: 37

Project Title: Exploiting the TraDIS-Xpress platform to identify unexplored and essential intracellular targets for MDR invasive Salmonella

Months Duration: 18

Interview Date: 23 May 2025

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

To create transposon mutant library in Salmonella as part of a collaborative project with TCOLF and to use this library to screen a panel of antimicrobials to identify modes of action.

Key Relationships

Mark Webber (Line manager)
Postdocs within the Webber group (in particular Emma Holden who is working on a similar project)
Students within the group as a source of advice and support
TCOLF staff as collaborating partner organisation
MFS management
Other QIB groups

Main Activities & Responsibilities

1. To create transposon mutant libraries as required by the project in Salmonella (30%)
2. To perform experiments to identify genes under selective pressure from novel antimicrobials (20%)
3. To sequence DNA libraries and analyse data (20%)
4. To prepare presentations and reports from the data generated (10%)
5. To liaise with external stakeholders (10%)
6. To contribute to laboratory and group management (5%)
7. As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees (5%)

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement: PhD in relevant subject (Essential)
Requirement: BSc in relevant subject (Essential)

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement: Familiarity handling bacterial pathogens (Essential)
Requirement: Strong molecular microbiology expertise (Essential)
Requirement: Familiarity with bacterial genomics (Essential)
Requirement: Experience with cell culture (Desirable)

Requirement: Experience in a laboratory setting working with bacterial pathogens (Essential)
Requirement: Experience making mutants/cloning etc (Essential)
Requirement: Ability to analyse genome sequences from bacteria (Essential)
Requirement: Hands on experience with tissue culture (Desirable)
Requirement: Experience working with multiple stakeholders (Desirable)

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement: Proven history of scientific writing (Essential)
Requirement: Good communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
Requirement: Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team (Essential)
Requirement: Strong record keeping (Essential)
Requirement: Promotes and strives for continuous improvement (Essential)

Additional Requirements

Requirement: Attention to detail (Essential)
Requirement: Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential)
Requirement: Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required (Essential)
Requirement: Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work (Essential)
Requirement: Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute (Essential)

Who We Are

Quadram Institute Bioscience

The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, developing solutions to worldwide challenges in food-related disease and human health.

We are engaged in fundamental and translational food and health research, alongside clinical studies, endoscopy and industry, working together to become a leading international hub for food and health research, combining scientific excellence and clinical expertise, delivering impacts on patient care and accelerating innovation.

The Quadram Institute is a diverse and multicultural scientific community. We thrive on our international and European links, appointing staff from across the world.

The candidate will join the Webber group which is embedded within the MFS ISP within QIB and consists of multiple postdocs and PhD students studying different aspects of bacterial adaptation.

Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Webber in the Microbes and Food Safety programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The candidate will join the Webber group which is embedded within the MFS ISP within QIB and consists of multiple postdocs and PhD students studying different aspects of bacterial adaptation.

The role:

This post represents an opportunity to join an exciting project to help develop novel antimicrobials using high throughput transposon mutagenesis to help understand mechanisms of action and resistance.

The candidate will join the Webber group within the Quadram Institute and have opportunities to develop their skillset within a vibrant and supportive environment.

Main duties for this role will include:

• Performing experiments to identify genes under selective pressure from novel antimicrobials
• Sequence DNA libraries and analyse data
• Prepare presentations and reports from the data generated

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have a PhD in microbiology/ genomics and experience working with bacterial pathogens. It is advantageous if the candidate has experience with cell culture and in working with multiple stakeholders.

Good communication skills and the ability to work independently and in teams are required.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,720 to £39,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post with an expected end date of 16 March 2027.

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.

Interviews will be held on 23 May 2025.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects 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.

The closing date for applications will be 5 May 2025

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