Sequencing Research Scientist (Covid-19)

Applications Close: 19 November 2020

Salary: £32,255 - £39,345 depending on qualifications and experience

Contract Length: 12 months

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

Background:

COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) was created to deliver large-scale and rapid whole-genome virus sequencing to local NHS centres and the UK government. It consists of twelve academic partners, the four UK Public Health Agencies and the Sanger Institute. The QIB site covers Norfolk and parts of Suffolk and has sequenced approx. 1600 SARS-CoV-2 genomes to date – only Australia, Spain, India and the USA have sequenced more genomes than have been sequenced in Norfolk alone.

The virus genome data is combined with clinical and epidemiological datasets to help guide UK public health interventions and policies. We have made links with the Norfolk Test and Trace programme and provide lineage data for positive cases in the region, to help identify potential outbreaks.

The role:

The post holder will be part of a team who collect, process, sequence and analyse data from SARS-CoV-2 positive samples collected from regional hospitals and beyond. The role will mainly focus on library preparation and sequencing on Illumina NextSeq, but will also include some sample preparation, RT-qPCR and nanopore sequencing.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should possess a BSc (or MSc/PhD) in a biological field and demonstrate significant experience of working with Next Generation Sequencing, including library preparation.  Expertise in RNA extraction and PCR is desirable, as is experience with nanopore or Illumina sequencing.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £32,255 to £39,345 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This is a full-time post for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension depending on additional funding.

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 1003948.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide Tier 2 visa sponsorship.

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 19th November 2020.

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

 

Apply