Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Background

We seek to recruit an experienced researcher to work on an exciting EU-collaborative project funded through the Joint Programming Initiative Healthy Diet for a Healthy Lifestyle programme (Gut and blood microbiomics for studying the effect of a polyphenol-rich dietary pattern on intestinal permeability in the elderly – MaPLE). The project is investigating whether a polyphenol-enriched diet can prevent and/or reduce the high gut permeability (leaky guts) phenotype that is observed in the elderly and which is thought to contribute to systemic low-grade inflammation (‘inflammaging’). The project is a collaboration between [Employer hidden], the University of Milan and the University of Barcelona.

The Role

The successful applicant will join Dr Paul Kroon’s group at the Quadram Institute and will also work with the groups of Professors Arjan Narbad (gut microbial ecology) and Alastair Watson (gut biology). They will be expected to undertake experimental research, write progress reports and draft manuscripts for publication, stay abreast of relevant literature and contribute to MaPLE consortium meetings.

The post-holder will measure a range of relevant biomarkers of gut permeability and of gut microbiota structure and function using samples from elderly participants who took part in a human dietary intervention study. In addition, they will undertake experiments to investigate the mechanisms by which polyphenol-rich diets can improve gut barrier function, and seek to determine whether the changes are a direct effect of the polyphenols on the gut mucosa, or occur via polyphenol-induced changes in gut microbiota structure / function.

The Ideal Candidate

• PhD in biology/biochemistry/immunology/molecular biology
• Experience of biochemical/immunological/physiological techniques used to assess gut barrier function in experimental animals, tissue samples and cultured cell models
• Knowledge and/or expertise in use of 16S rRNA profiling methods for assessing microbiota structure would be useful but is not essential

Additional Information

Salary on appointment will be within the range £31,250 to £38,100 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This post is for a contract of 12 months.

How to Apply

Further information and details of how to apply can be found here, or contact the Human Resources team on [contact hidden] or [contact hidden] quoting reference 1003400.