Main Purpose of the Job

The Earlham Institute is committed to an ambitious long-term program of microbiome science. We will be developing new computational and experimental methods for high-resolution microbiome analysis and applying those to both environmental and host-associated communities. The aim is to determine the processes that maintain microbial diversity and how that relates to function.

To support this research we are recruiting a three year computational Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the area of microbiome methods development. The position will be based within Dr Quince’s group at the Earlham Institute (https://www.earlham.ac.uk/quince-group). The individual will develop novel computational and statistical methods to exploit the opportunities arising from sequencing technologies such as long reads and Hi-C and their integration with metabolomics.

The individual will be given considerable freedom and, these methods can span a wide range of areas comprising statistics, computational tools or bioinformatics pipelines. In the Quince group we specialise on applying probabilistic modelling and Bayesian methods to problems in microbiome bioinformatics. Examples of potential areas of methods development include reconstruction of strain level genomes from metagenomes, metagenomics assembly from long reads, integrating metagenome and metabolomics data, and tracking horizontal gene transfer in microbiomes.

These new tools will be applied to a variety of microbiome data sets including coupled metagenome metabolome samples to understand the role of therapeutic diets in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, and studies of antimicrobial resistance both within individual microbiomes and at global scales.

This position is available at an SC6 level but candidates with sufficient experience in metagenomics bioinformatics, a demonstrated ability to organise and lead analysis of complex data sets, and potentially supervise graduate students, could be appointed to a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist at level SC5.

Key Relationships

Dr Quince (PI) and Rob James and Seb Raguideau (co-workers).

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Develop statistical methods for the analysis of metagenomes

Develop bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of microbiome data

Analyse large-scale microbiome data sets

Manage pipeline software on repositories

Collaborate with colleagues within and outside the Institute to apply these methods to metagenome studies

Disseminate research findings through attendance at international conferences

Regularly publish results as manuscripts in leading scientific journals or through other relevant media

Organise generation of new data sets

Depending on experience and qualifications, the successful candidate could participate in supervision of students, leading projects and collaborations and leading on the preparation of data/information for grant proposals [essential for SC5 role]

As agreed with line manager, any other duties relevant to and commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

First degree in any area of science

Essential

PhD in bioinformatics or statistics or related subject area with strong element of statistical modelling

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Knowledge of software programming in at least one language e.g. R, Python, C/C++

Essential

Basic understanding of statistics

Essential

Command line bioinformatics

Essential

Bioinformatics of metagenomics or genomics

Desirable

Bayesian statistics and probabilistic modelling

Desirable

Understanding of metabolism or horizontal gene transfer

Desirable

Biological understanding of microbial communities

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Proven record in scientific writing

Essential

Experience of oral research presentations

Essential

Experience developing software for genomics or metagenomics

Desirable

Preparing data / information for grant proposals (Essential for SC5)

Desirable

Leading projects and collaborations (Essential for SC5)

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when Essential required

Essential

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

Our Vision and Mission

Our Strategy

Our Culture

Life at Earlham Institute

Department

Research Faculty

Group Details

The Quince group at EI focusses on experimental methods and bioinformatics for high resolution microbiomics.

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Ability to manage junior team members such as graduate students(Essential for SC5)

Desirable

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Postdoctoral Research Scientist / Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Applications are invited for a three-year position, with a possibility of extension, as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the laboratory of Dr Quince in the High-Resolution Microbiomics group at the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The Earlham Institute is committed to an ambitious long-term program of microbiome science. We will be developing new computational and experimental methods for high-resolution microbiome analysis and applying those to both environmental and host-associated communities. The aim is to determine the processes that maintain microbial diversity and how that relates to function.

The role:

To support this research we are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the area of microbiome methods development. The position will be based within Dr Quince’s group at the Earlham Institute (https://www.earlham.ac.uk/quince-group). The individual will develop novel computational and statistical methods to exploit the opportunities arising from new sequencing technologies, such as long reads and Hi-C, and their integration with metabolomics.

The individual will be given considerable freedom and, these methods can span a wide range of areas comprising statistics, computational tools or bioinformatics pipelines. Examples of potential areas of methods development include reconstruction of strain level genomes from metagenomes (Quince et al. Genome Biology 2021: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-021-02419-7), metagenomics assembly from long reads, integrating metagenome and metabolomics data, and tracking horizontal gene transfer in microbiomes (Lee et al. Nature Commun. 2023: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36633-7).

These new tools will be applied to a variety of microbiome data sets including coupled metagenome metabolome samples to understand the role of therapeutic diets in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, and studies of antimicrobial resistance both within individual microbiomes and at global scales.

In the High-Resolution Microbiomics group we specialise in applying probabilistic modelling and Bayesian methods to problems in microbiome bioinformatics. We directly integrate this development of computational methods with laboratory experiments. This provides an exciting opportunity for a computationally focussed individual to gain a broad range of research experience within a uniquely inter-disciplinary research environment.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have PhD in bioinformatics or statistics, or a related subject area with a strong element of statistical modelling. They will also have a first degree in any area of science. 

Knowledge of command line bioinformatics, software programming in at least one language (e.g. R, Python, C/C++) and a basic understanding of statistics are essential requirements for this role. 

A proven record in scientific writing with experience of oral research presentations are also essential. 

Knowledge of Bayesian statistics and probabilistic modelling, bioinformatics of metagenomics or metabolomics and a biological understanding of microbial communities and horizontal gene transfer would be advantageous.

This position is available at an SC6 level but candidates with sufficient experience in metagenomics bioinformatics, a demonstrated ability to organise and lead analysis of complex data sets, and potentially supervise graduate students, could be appointed to a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist at level SC5.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £33,050 to £40,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience for the SC6 level role, and £42,050 to £51,950 per annum for candidates who meet the SC5 level criteria.  This is a full-time post for a contract of 3 years. There is a possibility of extension of the position beyond this point subject to the renewal of grant funding.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 16th June 2023.