Research Scientist: Horizontal gene transfer in the gut microbiome
Applications Close: 30 November 2025
Salary: £37,500 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract Length: This is a full-time post available until 31 March 2028
We’re looking for a Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Chris Quince in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme.
The role
This postdoctoral position at the Quadram Institute focuses on the development of novel experimental methods to better understand horizontal gene transfer in the gut microbiome using both human in vivo data and mouse experiments.
The position will be associated with Dr Quince’s High-resolution Microbiomics group, jointly at Quadram Institute and the Earlham Institute.
The research programme will be developed by the applicant in conjunction with Dr Quince, but the principal aim will be to be develop cutting-edge technologies including long reads, single-cell sequencing, and novel Hi-C library preparation to enable HGT to be tracked in situ in microbiomes. These will then be used to understand microbiome evolutionary dynamics at high-resolution in response to perturbations such as diet and antibiotics. Samples will be obtained from mouse experiments and potentially human clinical trials. We will also explore the consequences to the host of these microbiome changes for instance through interaction with the immune system.
This represents an opportunity for an individual with a strong track record in microbiome research to guide their own research agenda to better understand HGT in the gut microbiome. The applicant will be supported in fellowship applications.
The ideal candidate
Candidates will possess a PhD in a relevant area of molecular biology or microbiology, plus a first degree in a relevant scientific field. Experience of ‘omics data generation and DNA extraction is essential as is a strong publication track record. Experience of working with microbiome samples, long read sequencing, library preparation and/or culturing microbes is desirable. Bioinformatics and statistical analysis experience is desirable but not essential.
Additional information
Salary on appointment will be within the range £37,500 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post available until 31 March 2028.
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 1004983. This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute values of Respect, Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence are at the heart of all we do, and we expect 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.
The closing date for applications will be 30 November 2025
The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.