Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Nathalie Juge in the Gut Microbes and Health Programme at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB).

The Juge Group:

The Juge Group focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms mediating the interaction between gut bacteria and the mucus layer covering the gastrointestinal tract with a focus on mucin glycosylation. We use multidisciplinary approaches to investigate how gut bacteria utilise mucin glycans as nutrients or binding sites, and adapt to changes in the mucosal environment in health and disease.

The Group comprises five PhD students and five post-doctoral scientists and regularly hosts undergraduate students and visiting scientists. The Group has extensive collaborations on the Norwich Research Park and internationally.

The role:

The post-holder will contribute to the experimental work of a BBSRC-funded grant investigating the metabolism of sialic acid in gut bacteria. Specifically, they will carry out cell work and in vivo mouse studies and use microscopy and bioimaging approaches to analyse samples.

The post-holder will work closely with other post-doctoral scientists and collaborators on the Norwich Research Park involved in the project. In addition to the proposed experimental work, the post-holder will contribute to the research by interacting with Research Scientists and PhD students in the Juge Group, writing-up reports and publications, and presenting at relevant meetings and conferences.

The post-holder will also be encouraged to join public engagement activities. In addition, they will benefit from regular BBSRC-sponsored training courses in career development and transferable skills.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should possess a PhD in a relevant biological field (such as Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Microbiology or Glycobiology). They should have in-depth knowledge of intestinal biology and gut microbiology.

Skills in bioimaging and confocal microscopy are essential. Candidates should also have experience in tissue culture and mouse work and possess an animal personal license.

All candidates should possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. They should also have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well as part of a team.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £31,250 to £38,100 pro rata per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This is a part time post (22.5 hours per week) for a contract of 12 months.

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 1003538.

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 (formerly the Institute of Food Research), 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.