Background

The Narbad group is working on the role of gut commensals on health and disease in humans and animals. We have particular interest in isolation and characterisation of gut commensal bacteria of animal and human origin for use as probiotics for the exclusion of gut pathogens.

Mechanisms of competitive exclusion phenomena are being investigated with the objective of designing strains with improved functionality. Identification and characterisation of novel antimicrobials including bacteriophage endolysins and bacteriotherapy that target gut pathogens such as Clostridium difficile and the impact of these interventions on the gut microbial communities is another area of active research within the group.

The Role

We are seeking a graduate microbiologist/biologist to join a team investigating the relationship between gut bacteria and gastrointestinal infections. The main purpose of this post is to evaluate the use of metagenomics for detection of pathogens and identification of biomarkers of disease. The post holder will collect clinical samples and contribute to extensive analysis of gut microbiome and the assessment of the metabolic biomarkers using metabolomics platforms.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will hold a degree or equivalent qualification in Microbiology or biological sciences. The post holder will have experience of working in a microbiology laboratory environment and be willing to learn to handle pathogenic bacteria and molecular profiling methods.

Additional Information

Salary on appointment will be within the range £24,300 to £29,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full time post for a contract of 12 months.

Please note, this position does not meet UKVI requirements to sponsor a Tier 2 visa.

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 1003675.

About the Quadram Institute

The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute at the forefront of a new era in food and health research. Its mission is to understand how food and the gut microbiota are linked to the promotion of health and the prevention of disease. A partnership between [Employer hidden], the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a new state-of-the-art building. The Quadram Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park, one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute.