Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Applications Close: 02 December 2018
Salary: £31,250 to £38,100 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract Length: 3 years
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Professor Arjan Narbad in the Gut Microbes and Health Programme at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB).
The role:
We are seeking an experienced Microbiologist/Molecular biologist with an interest in human studies to join us in ground-breaking research to investigate the application of faecal microbiota transplant (FMT), for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and other microbiome associated diseases. In partnership with NNUH, we have already used FMT to successfully treat patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection and are about to further expand the application of this technology in a new custom-built laboratory.
The post holder will analyse the dynamics of the alteration in the structure and function of the microbiome in FMT treatment, using both high throughput metagenomics sequencing and metabolomics platforms. The post holder will take the lead in refining the protocols to optimise the delivery and efficacy of these cutting-edge new procedures. This role gives an unrivalled opportunity to perform innovative science that can directly benefit public health outcomes.
If successful in applying for this role you will work in close collaboration with the clinician Dr Ngozi Elumogo at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) as well as working as part of the Narbad laboratory and managing a number of students. You will contribute to the preparation of applications for the ethical approval for FMT-related research, and you will also be involved in the management of the clinical trials. This is an opportunity to contribute to high impact activities by presenting research findings at national and international events and meetings, as well as by writing high profile manuscripts.
This project presents a unique opportunity to develop links with scientists and clinicians, and work at the forefront of the interface between microbiology, gut biology and the health service.
The ideal candidate:
You will possess a PhD/MD in Molecular Biology or Microbiology, as well as having practical experience of working in both these areas.
Ideally you will also have practical experience, (or at the very least a good understanding of) the principles of FMT, as well as experience of microbial community profiling and experience of conducting human studies, though we recognise that having all three of these is unusual, so we will also be considering strong candidates who just have two of these.
For this role, excellent organisational and communication skills are also essential.
About the Quadram Institute:
The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute at the forefront of a new era in food and health research. Its mission is to understand how food and the gut microbiota are linked to the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. The partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience (formerly the Institute of Food Research), the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and BBSRC, uniquely brings together scientists and clinicians in the all new state-of-the-art QI building. The Quadram Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park, one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute.
About the Narbad Group:
The Narbad group at QIB has a broad interest in microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and the role of the complex gut microbiome in health and disease. We are using biocontrol strategies including, bacteriocins, phage endolysins, faecal microbiota transplant and competitive exclusion to combat bacterial infections. We use a combination of techniques, including in vitro colon models, tissue culture, metagenomics, and metabolomics, to investigate the structure and function of the gut microbiome, and how this may be manipulated to promote good health.
Additional information:
We are offering a competitive salary which on appointment will be between £31,250 to £38,100 per annum, depending on your qualifications and experience.
This is a full-time contract for a period of 3 years.
If you choose to apply for this exciting opportunity, please submit a CV with a covering letter which clearly outlines how you meet the required criteria for this post. Please note, CVs received without a covering letter will not be considered. Please submit your application to our jobs portal.
QIB is committed to equal opportunities and we 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.
The closing date for applications will be 2nd December 2018
The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.