Research Scientist

Applications Close: 15 May 2026

Salary: £37,500 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience

Contract Length: 22 months

We’re looking for a discovery-focused Research Scientist to join the research group of Dr Matthew Gilmour.

At the Quadram Institute, Dr Gilmour’s group studies how microbial hazards emerge, persist, and transmit through food systems and related environments. We focus on the interface between microbial genetics, ecology, and real-world exposure, with the aim of understanding how pathogens and wider microbial communities adapt to processing, storage, and control measures.

Our work combines isolate genomics, metagenomics, and experimental microbiology to examine how microbial populations are structured, how adaptive traits arise and are maintained, and how these traits influence persistence and risk. This includes studying microbial communities and biofilms on foods and food contact environments, and linking genetic and ecological observations to measurable outcomes in laboratory models.

A defining feature of the group is the integration of real-world contexts with laboratory models. We move deliberately from genome and community analyses to functional validation, and where possible, to application with partners in food safety, public health, and industry.

The role

As a member of a research team at the Quadram Institute, the role sits within a highly collaborative environment with people-centric values. At the Quadram Institute, there is access to advanced genomics and bioinformatics platforms and strong links to partners in food safety, public health, and industry. Just as importantly, there is access to mentorship on leadership activities and how to collaboratively develop research projects that bring benefit to UK consumers and our partners.

This is a research-led role within an integrated programme combining microbial genomics, metagenomics, and experimental models to understand how microbial hazards persist and adapt in complex environments.

The postholder will take ownership of linked computational and experimental workstreams, using genomic and ecological data to generate hypotheses, and designing laboratory studies to test them.

Core responsibilities include:

• Analysing microbial genome and metagenome datasets to characterise population structure, diversity, and adaptive traits
• Investigating microbial communities associated with foods and production environments, including interactions that influence persistence and control
• Designing and delivering laboratory-based studies, including functional and fitness-based assays, to validate genomic and ecological findings
• Integrating results across datasets and systems to identify mechanisms relevant to real-world risk
• Working directly with industry and public sector partners to ensure research questions and outputs remain grounded in application

The role requires someone who can move confidently between data and experiment, contribute intellectually to study design, and work across disciplines. The postholder will be expected to publish, contribute to new project development, and play an active role in a collaborative and outward-facing research environment at the Quadram Institute.

The ideal candidate

Candidates will have a PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g. Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Bioinformatics, or Biochemistry) and have experience with metagenome and microbial genome data management and analyses, paired with molecular microbiology laboratory skills.

Knowledge and skills with culture-based models, such as bacterial biofilms, are desirable.

Candidates should also have proven track-record in publishing their scientific findings, while having a high emotional intelligence for working within scientific teams.

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 for a contract of 22 months.

For further information and details of how to apply can be found on the HR website or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1006104.

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.

Interviews are anticipated for the week of 8th June 2026.

We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The institute values of People-Centred Impact, Inclusive Excellence, Trusted Integrity, Collaborative Spirit and Agile Innovation 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.

About the Quadram Institute

The Quadram Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Our vision is Healthy living by design: promoting lifelong health by decoding the interactions between food science, nutrition, microbes, microbiomes and human physiology, and transforming this knowledge into innovative solutions for society.

A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, The Quadram Institute 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 15 May 2026.

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