Microbiology Research Assistant

Hours per week: 37

Project Title: Encapsulation of gut commensal bacteria

Expected/Ideal Start Date: 03 Feb 2025

Months Duration: 10

Flexible Options: Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours are also welcomed. If suitable applications are received, this post could be filled on a job-share basis.

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

Applications are invited for a Microbiology Research Assistant to join the Laboratory of Arjan Narbad in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience.

Probiotic bacteria are known to provide many health benefits to the human host. However, in order for these benefits to be realised, the probiotics need to have a long shelf life and be able to survive exposure to both the acidic conditions of the stomach and bile acids during transit in the gut. The aim of this project is to develop suitable encapsulation technologies to improve the survival of probiotic bacteria during processing and maintain viability on storage. We are looking for an experienced microbiologist to undertake microbiological culturing work and to operate in vitro colon fermentation models.

Key Relationships

The post holder will work closely with Dr Melinda Mayer to perform microbiological assays and Dr Emad Shehata to study the impact of probiotics on the human gut microbiota using an in vitro colon model. They will have regular contact with the industry partner.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

1. To undertake microbiological enumeration of both aerobes and anaerobes - 60%
2. In vitro colon model work - 30%
3. Writing reports and meetings presentation - 5%
4. To undertake infogest analysis - 5%

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement: Degree or equivalent in microbiology or biological sciences Importance: Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement: Ability to handle probiotic bacteria DNA and undertake microbiological assays Importance: Essential

Requirement: Extraction of bacterial DNA Importance: Essential

Requirement: Metagenomics analysis using shotgun sequencing Importance: Desirable

Requirement: Experience of working with cultured anaerobes Importance: Desirable

Requirement: Familiar with in vitro fermentation models Importance: Desirable

Requirement: Practical experience of microbiology Importance: Essential

Requirement: Practical experience of molecular biology Importance: Essential

Requirement: Experience of bioinformatics analysis of the gut microbiome Importance: Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement: N/A Importance: Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement: Good communication skills, both written and verbal Importance: Essential

Requirement: Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team Importance: Essential

Requirement: Self-motivated and willing to learn Importance: Essential

Requirement: Able to plan the work and meet reporting deadlines Importance: Essential

Requirement: Ability to follow instructions/standard operating procedures Importance: Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement: Attention to detail Importance: Essential

Requirement: Promotes equality and values diversity Importance: Essential

Requirement: Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work Importance: Essential

Requirement: Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate Importance: Essential

Requirement: Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required Importance: Essential

Requirement: Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute Importance: Essential

Who We Are

Quadram Institute Bioscience

The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, developing solutions to worldwide challenges in food-related disease and human health.

We are engaged in fundamental and translational food and health research, alongside clinical studies, endoscopy and industry, working together to become a leading international hub for food and health research, combining scientific excellence and clinical expertise, delivering impacts on patient care and accelerating innovation.

The Quadram Institute is a diverse and multicultural scientific community. We thrive on our international and European links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

The Narbad group at QIB has a broad interest in the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and the role of the complex gut microbiome in health and disease. We are also investigating the application of competitive exclusion in humans to combat bacterial infections. We have an interest in modulating the gut microbiome using a number of approaches including the application of probiotics, prebiotics and faecal microbiota transplants for the treatments of microbiome-associated disorders. We work closely with the Clinical Research Facility of the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital to undertake human intervention and clinical trials.

Microbiology Research Assistant

Applications are invited for a Microbiology Research Assistant to join the Laboratory of Arjan Narbad in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The Narbad group at QIB has a broad interest in the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and the role of the complex gut microbiome in health and disease. We are also investigating the application of competitive exclusion in humans to combat bacterial infections. We have an interest in modulating the gut microbiome using a number of approaches including the application of probiotics, prebiotics and faecal microbiota transplants for the treatments of microbiome-associated disorders. We work closely with the Clinical Research Facility of the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital to undertake human intervention and clinical trials.

The role:

Probiotic bacteria are known to provide many health benefits to the human host. However, in order for these benefits to be realised, the probiotics need to have a long shelf life and be able to survive exposure to both the acidic conditions of the stomach and bile acids during transit in the gut. The aim of this project is to develop suitable encapsulation technologies to improve the survival of probiotic bacteria during processing and maintain viability on storage. We are looking for an experienced microbiologist to undertake microbiological culturing work and to operate in vitro colon fermentation models.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £28,550 to £35,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 10 months; we welcome candidates looking for job share, full-time or part-time working patterns.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects 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 a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food. A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it 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. (https://quadram.ac.uk/).

The closing date for applications will be 14 January 2025.

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