Research Scientist

Quadram Institute Bioscience; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A research institute focused on microbial health is seeking a Research Scientist to explore the influence of microbial sulfur and nitrogen metabolism on host health, specifically in the context of protein malnutrition and obesity. This full-time position, based in the United Kingdom, offers a competitive salary range of £37,500 to £45,350 per annum and involves translating findings from microbiome systems into in vivo models using advanced scientific methodologies. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in microbiology or a related discipline.

Qualifications

• Experience in molecular genetics, microbial genomics, or microbiome analysis is essential.
• Experience with bioinformatics and animal models is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Investigate how microbial sulfur and nitrogen metabolism influences host health.
• Translate findings from in vitro microbiome systems into in vivo models using functional assays.

Skills

Molecular genetics

Microbial genomics

Bioinformatics

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

PhD in microbiology or related discipline

Job description

Organisation/Company Quadram Institute Bioscience Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 28 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time 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 Research Scientist to join a new research group led by Dr Lizbeth Sayavedra. This new group will be established at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) to investigate how microbial sulfur and nitrogen metabolism influence human health, particularly in the context of protein malnutrition and obesity.

Background:

The group will focus on sulphate and sulphite reducing bacteria, a key family of gut bacteria involved in sulfur and nitrogen cycling, and their interactions with the host and the wider gut microbiome. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to building a dynamic team at the interface of microbial physiology, metabolism, and host–microbe interactions.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated microbiologist to bridge in vitro microbiome models and in vivo systems, using functional assays, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to uncover how key members of the Desulfovibrionaceae influence metabolic outcomes.

The role:

The Research Scientist will investigate how microbial sulfur and nitrogen metabolism influences host health in the context of protein malnutrition and obesity. The role will focus on translating findings from in vitro microbiome systems into in vivo models using functional assays, molecular genetics and multi-omics approaches. The post holder will develop expertise in microbial metabolism, bacterial genetics, bioinformatics and interdisciplinary host–microbe research.

The post holder will work at the intersection of microbiology, molecular biology, and microbiome science to explore how sulfur- and nitrogen-transforming bacteria contribute to metabolic health outcomes.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should hold a PhD in microbiology, molecular microbiology or a related discipline, with experience in molecular genetics, microbial genomics or microbiome analysis. Experience with bioinformatics or animal models would be advantageous. Strong communication and organisational skills, alongside the ability to work independently and within a collaborative team, are essential.

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 for a contract of 42 months with the possibility 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.

Interviews will be held in late January 2026.

We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute values of Respect, Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence 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 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. 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 28 December 2025

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