Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Nicol Janecko in the Microbes in the Food Chain Programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background

Join a research group focusing on the growth and survival of Campylobacter in the food chain. Campylobacter continues to be a leading bacterial cause of gastrointestinal illness in the UK, and amongst the top bacterial sources of gastrointestinal infections worldwide. The ability to reliably detect and characterise the Campylobacter populations is integral to targeting interventions.  This project will involve a combination of One Health approaches, utilising existing culture-based and sequencing technologies such as short- and long-read sequencing as well as developing innovative metagenomic techniques.  The objectives are to expand our understanding of Campylobacter epidemiology by defining the population structure of this important zoonotic pathogen within different ecological niches and to investigate the transmission along the food chain.

The role

This project will involve a combination of One Health approaches, utilising existing culture-based and sequencing technologies such as short- and long-read sequencing as well as innovative metagenomic techniques. The role includes implementing components of a research program with the objectives to 1) expand our understanding of Campylobacter epidemiology by defining the population structure of this important zoonotic pathogen within different ecological niches and 2) to investigate the transmission along the food chain.

The ideal candidate

Applicants should possess a PhD in microbiology, biology, epidemiology, molecular genetics, biotechnology or a related discipline. They should also have laboratory skills working with Campylobacter or other enteric bacterial pathogens in a containment level two laboratory. Experience in culture-based and culture- independent techniques is essential, as is a proven record in scientific writing commensurate with the level of experience.

Additional information

Salary on appointment will be within the range £31,625 to £38,575 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This is a fulltime post for a period of three years.

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 1003819.

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.