Research Scientist; Host–Microbiome Interactions and Microbial Metabolism

Job Title

Research Scientist (Host–Microbiome Interactions and Microbial Metabolism)

Job Title:

Research Scientist (Host–Microbiome Interactions and Microbial Metabolism)

Post Number: 1006049

Closing Date: 22 Mar 2026

Grade: SC6

Starting Salary: £37,500-£45,350

Funding End Date: 28 Feb 2031

Hours per week: 37

Project

Title:

Nitrogen fixation and sulfur metabolism in the context of human gut health

Months Duration: 36

The group will focus on sulphate and sulphite reducing bacteria, a key family of gut bacteria involved in sulfur and nitrogen cycling, and their interactions with the host and the wider gut microbiome. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to building a dynamic team at the interface of microbial physiology, metabolism, and host–microbe interactions.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated microbiologist to bridge in vitro microbiome models and in vivo systems, using functional assays, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to uncover how key members of the Desulfovibrionaceae influence metabolic outcomes.

We’re looking for someone with a PhD in microbiology or a related field, ideally with experience in molecular microbiology, microbial genomics, or microbiome analysis. Experience with bioinformatics or animal models would be a great advantage.

The post holder will work at the intersection of microbiology, molecular biology, and microbiome science to explore how sulfur- and nitrogen-transforming bacteria contribute to metabolic health outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Performing anaerobic culturing of gut bacteria, particularly within the Desulfovibrionaceae.
• Conducting gut model experiments to study microbiome–host interactions under different dietary conditions.
• Applying genetic engineering and functional genomics approaches to investigate key metabolic pathways.
• Performing microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses to link microbial activity with metabolic phenotypes.
• Collaborating with internal and external partners within the Food, Microbiome and Health programme, and contributing to publications, presentations, and future grant proposals.

The post holder will work closely with researchers within the Sayavedra Group and coordinate studies with internal and external collaborators, including the Narbad and Beraza groups, other human microbiome research teams and clinicians at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, such as Dr Emma Webb.

Percentage

• Design and conduct in vitro microbiome and bacterial functional assays to investigate sulfur and nitrogen metabolism 30%
• Integrate multi-omics datasets (metagenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) to identify metabolic pathways linked to health outcomes 20%
• Translate mechanistic insights from in vitro systems to in vivo models in collaboration with internal and external partners 20%
• Analyse, interpret, and present research findings; prepare manuscripts and contribute to grant applications 20%
• Ensure research, data management, and record-keeping comply with best scientific practice, ethics, and institutional policies 5%
• As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role 5%

Requirement:
PhD in microbiology, molecular microbiology, or a related field. Essential.

• Experienced with R — Essential
• Anaerobic microbiology — Essential
• Proven research experience in microbial physiology, metabolism, or molecular microbiology — Essential
• Experience with animal models / tissue culture — Essential
• Microbiome or metagenomic data analysis — Essential
• Functional genomics and pathway analysis — Essential
• Practical experience on microbial genetics — Essential
• Familiarity with metabolomics or transcriptomics — Desirable
• Track record of publishing research in peer-reviewed journals — Essential
• Experience of conducting human studies, including sample collection or human research governance — Desirable
• Experience with in vitro colonic models — Desirable
• Experience supervising students — Desirable

• Excellent communication skills, both…