Applications are invited for a Project Scientist to join the Laboratory of Prof Hildebrand in the Gut Microbes and Health programme at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

Background:
The Hildebrand lab uses metagenomics, molecular microbiology and high-throughput sequencing to study microbial communities in human and environmental systems. Our work asks how microbes colonise new environments, persist over time, and change in response to host, family and environmental factors.

A major focus of the group is PEARL-AGE, a family-centred human microbiome cohort studying how gut microbes are shared, maintained and evolve across family members and generations. In parallel, the group contributes to the OpenLANDS consortium, investigating how soil microbial communities contribute to carbon cycling during changes in land use.

Together, these projects offer an opportunity to work across human gut and soil microbiome research, using shared molecular and sequencing-based approaches to study different microbial ecosystems.

The role:
We are looking for an enthusiastic and well-organised researcher with experience working with biological samples and microbes in the laboratory. The successful candidate will support the day-to-day organisation of the Hildebrand lab and contribute to active microbiome projects including PEARL-AGE and OpenLANDS.
The role will involve handling human and environmental samples, aliquoting and processing samples, performing DNA extractions, preparing sequencing libraries, maintaining laboratory protocols, and supporting procurement and stock management. The postholder will also contribute to sample collection activities, including support for the PEARL-AGE human cohort and soil field sampling.
This position would suit someone who enjoys practical laboratory work, is highly organised, and would like to contribute to projects spanning human health, microbial ecology and environmental sustainability.

The ideal candidate:
Applicants should have experience in molecular biology or microbiology laboratory work, ideally including DNA extraction, sample processing and sequencing library preparation. Experience with microbiome-related samples, such as faecal, gut-associated, soil or environmental samples, would be particularly valuable.
Good communication and organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to work carefully, independently and as part of a team. Experience with human cohort studies, field sampling, protocol development, basic data analysis or scientific manuscript preparation would be advantageous but is not essential.

Part-time working arrangements may be considered and can be discussed with the line manager.