Research Scientist (Clinical Metagenomics)

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 3 May 2026
LOCATION
Norwich
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
SALARY
£38,100 / year
CATEGORY
Science & Research
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Clinical Metagenomics Nanopore Sequencing Molecular Biology Diagnostics Data Analysis Research Project Management Genomics Technology Transfer

FULL DESCRIPTION

Research Scientist (Clinical Metagenomics)

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] (QIB) invites applications for a Research Scientist to join the O'Grady group. The role involves developing clinical metagenomics technology for rapid diagnosis.

The Role

The O'Grady group is looking to recruit a Research Scientist on a prestigious Innovate UK UK-China AMR grant titled “Development of key technologies for real-time diagnosis, surveillance and intervention of resistant-bacterial infections based on nanopore sequencing”. This is a 3 year post where the successful candidate will further develop and implement clinical metagenomics technology developed in the O'Grady group (published in Nature Biotechnology, June 2019) for the rapid diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection. The post holder will work closely with a UK SME (Oppilotech), a Chinese diagnostics company (Simcere) and Chinese hospitals in Beijing. The job will involve metagenomics method optimisation, technology transfer, analytical and clinical validation and a co-ordination of a diagnostics trial. There will be the opportunity for travel to China (Beijing/Nanjing/Shanghai) 2-3 times per year for up to two weeks. There will also be the opportunity for the Research Scientist to develop their own relevant research interests.

The Ideal Candidate

The Research Scientist should have a PhD in biological sciences or equivalent. They will have a background in genomics, metagenomics and/or molecular biology and will have an interest in clinical infectious diseases. Relevant skills in data analysis, diagnostics and running research projects are an advantage. The ideal candidate will also have a publication track record appropriate for their career stage, and experience of scientific collaboration and supervision.

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 3 years. 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 1003652. Click here to find out more about working at [Employer hidden]. Interviews will be held on 2 Aug 2019.

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.

Application Instructions

The closing date for applications is 24 July 2019. [Employer hidden] is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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