We’re looking for a Research Scientist to join the group of Dr Fred Warren in the Food Innovation and Health programme.

The Warren group at Quadram Institute Bioscience is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists working at the interface of microbiome science, food science and nutritional science. Our aim is to understand how carbohydrate structure impacts digestion and fermentation by the gut microbiota, and the physiological and health impacts of this. We are based within the Food, Innovation & Health program at the Quadram Institute.

We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Research Scientist to join a major new MRC funded Experimental Medicine project investigating the potential of novel structured celluloses to reduce symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Working in collaboration with the MRI imaging team at the University of Nottingham this project will combine cutting-edge microbiome science with innovative medical imaging technologies to explore the factors contributing to symptom development in IBS as well as innovative dietary supplements that may help alleviate these symptoms. The work at the Quadram Institute will encompass microbiome studies and in vitro modelling of the colon, working closely with the clinical team at University of Nottingham who will conduct human intervention studies using MRI to investigate gut physiology.

The role

The successful candidate will conduct microbiome studies to determine the impact of novel cellulose derivates on metabolic pathways in the gut in IBS patients. This will include in vitro model colon experiments using the advanced digestion models available at the Quadram, as well as metagenomic and metabolomic analysis of stool samples obtained from human intervention studies.

The successful candidate will be expected to prepare and contribute to manuscripts for publication and contribute to reporting to the funder.

 The ideal candidate

Candidates should possess a PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition, or related discipline and have practical experience of conducting gut microbiome/nutrition experiments.

Candidates should have excellent organisational and communication skills, and experience of working with in vitro models of the human digestive system would be beneficial. Experience/willingness to handle human stool samples is essential.

Additional information

Salary on appointment will be within the range £33,050 to £40,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 36 months.

Further information and details of how to apply can be found here or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004345.

Interview will be held on 5^th December 2022.

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. This is 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 17^th November 2022

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