An exciting opportunity is available for a Research Assistant to join the Laboratory of Professor Arjan Narbad in the Gut Microbes and Health Programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The Narbad group is working on the role of gut commensals on health and disease in humans and animals. We have particular interest in isolation and characterisation of gut commensal bacteria of animal and human origin for use as probiotics for the exclusion of gut pathogens.

Mechanisms of competitive exclusion phenomena are being investigated with the objective of designing strains with improved functionality. Identification and characterisation of novel antimicrobials including bacteriophage endolysins and bacteriotherapy that target gut pathogens such as Clostridium difficile and the impact of these interventions on the gut microbial communities is another area of active research within the group.

The role:

We are seeking a graduate microbiologist/biologist to join a team investigating the relationship between gut bacteria and gastrointestinal infections. The main purpose of this post is to evaluate the use of metagenomics for detection of pathogens and identification of biomarkers of disease. The post holder will collect clinical samples and contribute to extensive analysis of gut microbiome and the assessment of the metabolic biomarkers using metabolomics platforms.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will hold a degree or equivalent qualification in Microbiology or biological sciences. The post holder will have experience of working in a microbiology laboratory environment and be willing to learn to handle pathogenic bacteria and molecular profiling methods.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £24,300 to £29,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This is a full time post for a contract of 12 months.

Please note, this position does not meet UKVI requirements to sponsor a Tier 2 visa.

Further information and details of how to apply can be found here or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450462 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk  quoting reference 1003675.

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 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. 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 new state-of-the-art 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.

 The closing date for applications will be 23 April 2019.

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