Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Paul Kroon in the Food, Microbiome and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

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Background:

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The Postdoctoral Researcher will work on the BBSRC-funded Delivering Sustainable Wheat Institute Strategic Programme (ISP) and will be the person largely responsible for carrying out the research objectives assigned to the Quadram Institute Bioscience in this large, multi-organisation collaborative research programme. You will collaborate with the QIB research groups of Professor Fred Warren and Dr Cathrina Edwards. You will develop skills in use of mammalian cultured cell models to investigate the absorption of micronutrients (particularly iron) from wheat/flour and also in the use of state-of-the-art simulated human digestion models such as INFOGEST protocols to study the digestion of macronutrient and release of micronutrients from flours of unique wheat lines developed by crop researchers at partner institutes including the John Innes Centre and Rothamsted Research.

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The role:

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The postholder will be required to carry out experimental research and associated activities (including preparing reports, manuscripts and oral presentations) necessary to achieve QIB's objectives in the Delivering Sustainable Wheat ISP.

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The experimental work will largely be focussed on studies of (i) digestion and (ii) of bioavailability.

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Digestion studies; for example using INFOGEST simulated human digestion protocols to evaluate the rate and extent of digestion of macronutrients such as starch, and the rate of release of micronutrients such as iron.

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Bioavailability studies; for example, using Glahn CaCo2 models or similar to assess the extent of absorption of micronutrients such as iron.

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The postholder will also be expected to liaise with research groups withing the Delivering Sustainable Wheat ISP to ascertain which materials are to be analysed and to ensure that QIB knows when they will be delivered and that they are suitable samples for the experimental work to be undertaken at QIB.

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The ideal candidate:

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Candidates should have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in Nutritional Biochemistry or a related discipline and have knowledge of and previous experience in the use of mammalian cell culture models. They will have previous experience in using CaCo2 cell models, preferably to investigate absorption, and knowledge and experience in using simulated in vitro models of human digestion. Good communication and organisation skills with the ability to work independently as well as in teams are also required.

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Additional information:

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Salary on appointment will be within the range £35,300 to £43,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 24 months, with a possibility for further extension.

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For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website https://jobs.quadram.ac.uk or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or [email protected] quoting reference 1004654. 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.

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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.

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About the Quadram Institute:

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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/).

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The closing date for applications will be 19 June 2024. We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close this advertisement early depending on the volume of applications received.

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