The Role

Appointment of Group Leader (Microbes and Food Safety)

Based within the Norwich Research Park, the Quadram Institute is a state-of-the-art facility that undertakes research in the study of key foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms, including Campylobacter, Listeria, Salmonella and Pseudomonas.

We are seeking to welcome a forward-thinking Group Leader with a focus on bacterial foodborne pathogens or microbial spoilage of food, who wants to develop their research programme, exploiting our considerable capabilities and helping to consolidate the Quadram Institute as a world leader in food safety research. The priorities for this programme are to reduce enduring and emerging microbial threats to the safety of UK food supplies. In the Microbes and Food Safety programme, our research spans three themes:

1. What and where are the microbial threats in the food chain?
2. What are the mechanisms of survival of microbial threats in the food chain?
3. How can we use this information to improve food safety and reduce food waste?

Our team have expertise that brings together excellence in imaging, microbiology, genomics, bioinformatics and mathematical modelling in understanding how bacteria thrive as communities across the food chain.

You will be able to demonstrate an excellent track record in an area of research that can address the key strategic aims of the programme. Successful candidates will have a good publication record and obvious potential for attracting funding commensurate for their career stage, and most importantly, have a clear vision for collaborative research to reduce the burden of foodborne pathogens or spoilage organisms in the food chain.

While core research will deliver against our strategic objectives and research themes, we expect the successful applicant to develop their broader portfolio of research through uplift funding. Collaboration is a core value at the Quadram Institute, and we encourage collaboration with other scientists in the institute and beyond, and with food safety stakeholders in industry and government.

The Quadram Institute supports flexible, innovative working that brings together our scientists with partners co-located on the renowned Norwich Research Park including the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory and the Earlham Institute. Our team are also members of the recently established Centre for Microbial Interactions, a virtual centre bringing together the more than 100 microbiology research groups working across the Park.

The successful applicant will be offered an indefinite contract, or for applicants with less experience, a Career Track Group Leader position (5 year contract) with tenure subject to review. Positions come with a significant support package, including a Postdoctoral Research Assistant, budget for consumables and other research expenses, and access to core services such as genome sequencing and advanced microbial bioimaging. We offer an exciting, innovative and supportive research environment, competitive salaries (depending on qualifications and experience) and a great place to live – a relocation package is available.

A Candidate Pack can be downloaded here: