Offer Description
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Scientist position in the Hildebrand group at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Norwich, UK.
Background
Microbial fermentation of plant‑based foods is increasingly used to recreate the taste, texture, and nutritional qualities of meat, while improving environmental sustainability. Optimising production of plant‑based foods and ensuring consumer acceptance remain important challenges, further complicated by new and diverse fermentation approaches.
The role
In the FlavourFerm consortium, partners develop novel fermented plant‑based foods. This advertised research position will investigate how these foods influence the human gut microbiome and offer potential benefits to host health. Taste and texture of these foods will be predicted from microbial fermentation consortia. Specifically, microbes will be identified that affect fermentation outcomes. Building on previous work from the host group, we will develop machine learning tools to model microbial communities and their impact.
The environment
The successful applicant will work within the Hildebrand and Traka groups, integrated in the H2020 international FlavourFerm consortium (https://www.flavourferm.eu). Prof Hildebrand studies the diversity, interactions, and evolution of microbial communities using high‑resolution metagenomics and custom software tools. The group is jointly based at the Quadram Institute Bioscience and the Earlham Institute, developing widely used bioinformatics tools (https://github.com/falklab). Dr Traka leads the UK national resource Food & Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure, focused on automated food categorisation using AI. FlavourFerm combines microbiologists, machine learning and food scientists, to develop the next generation of healthy and sustainable nutrition. Close collaborations across Europe, attendance and participation in workshops and consortium meetings is required.
The ideal candidate
The ideal applicant holds a PhD (or equivalent) in biology, bioinformatics, computer science or a related discipline, being experienced in bioinformatics, (meta)genomics data, and microbiology. Knowledge in AI, machine learning, microbial pathogens, microbiology of fermentation, comparative genomics and analysing microbial communities will be beneficial. Specialized skills will be taught and developed through mentorship and collaborations.
Salary
Salary on appointment will be within the range £37,500 to £43,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full‑time post until 30 April 2028.
Equal opportunities
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. We have a range of family, faith and diversity friendly working arrangements to help all staff achieve excellence. As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Closing date
The closing date for applications is 17 May 2026. Interviews are planned for week commencing 1 June 2026.
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