Main Purpose of the Job

We are seeking to recruit an individual with a high-level of quantitative skills to develop novel computational and mathematical methods to study the soil microbiome.

Soil is one of the most diverse microbial communities known. As a result it is still relatively understudied and the processes that generate that diversity are poorly understood. At the Earlham Institute we are pioneering methods that use long read metagenomics to fully resolve the genomic diversity of the soil microbiome. These genomes will then form a basis for integration of other forms of ‘omics data, principally metatranscriptomics, and the development of mechanistic mathematical models of the soil microbiome. We are, as part of a larger program of research, generating data both from natural soils and synthetic communities (SynComs) that these methods will be applied to.

The principle role of the position will be to develop these computational methods. These will include bioinformatics pipelines to integrate long and short read metagenomes with metatranscriptomes. But also potentially novel statistical approaches to resolve strain diversity. These would be based around existing methods utilising probabilistic graphical models to integrate multiple sources of data. We envisage that these data could then be used in mathematical community models of the soil and rhizosphere microbiomes.

The position is for three years initially but may be extended based on funding and performance. It will be based within Dr Quince’s group at the Earlham Institute (https://www.earlham.ac.uk/quince-group). In the group we focus on high-resolution tools for microbiome analysis combining both computational and molecular techniques. 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 at a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist Level SC5.

Key Relationships

Dr Quince (PI) and Dr Christopher Turkington 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 soil microbiome data sets

Explore methods for mathematical modelling of soil microbiomes

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

Good understanding of statistics

Essential

Command line bioinformatics

Essential

Bioinformatics of metagenomics or genomics

Desirable

Bayesian statistics and probabilistic modelling

Desirable

Understanding of soil metabolism

Desirable

Biological understanding of microbial communities

Desirable

Methods for modelling 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

Leading projects and collaborations (Essential for SC5)

Desirable

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

Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Ability to manage junior team members such as graduate students (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 harnesses the power of data-driven biology to accelerate solutions for health, biodiversity, and food security. Based at Norwich Research Park, the Earlham Institute is one of eight institutes strategically funded by BBSRC.

Our science combines world-class technology, interdisciplinary expertise, and training and development across genomics, engineering biology and data science, to decode the scale and complexity of living systems.

We believe we can achieve more if we work together. That's why we collaborate with the global science community and industry partners, while also inspiring the next generation of scientists and technical specialists.

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

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
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.

We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that treats every individual with dignity and respect. By taking an active approach to fostering inclusivity, diversity, equality and accessibility, we empower our community to achieve more.

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.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

(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:

We are seeking to recruit an individual with a high-level of quantitative skills to develop novel computational and mathematical methods to study the soil microbiome. Soil is one of the most diverse microbial communities known. As a result, it is still relatively understudied and the processes that generate that diversity are poorly understood. At the Earlham Institute we are pioneering methods that use long read metagenomics to fully resolve the genomic diversity of the soil microbiome. These genomes will then form a basis for integration of other forms of ‘omics data, principally metatranscriptomics, and the development of predictive models of the soil microbiome. We are, as part of a larger program of research, generating data both from natural soils and synthetic communities (SynComs) that these methods will be applied to. 

The role:

The principal role of the position will be to develop these computational methods. These will include bioinformatics pipelines to integrate long and short read metagenomes with metatranscriptomes. But also potentially novel statistical approaches to resolve strain diversity. These would be based around existing methods utilising probabilistic graphical models to integrate multiple sources of data. We envisage that these data could then be used in mechanistic community or machine learning models of the soil and rhizosphere microbiomes.

Examples of recent relevant research from the group 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 (Benoit et al. Nature Commun. 2026: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-69760-y), and tracking horizontal gene transfer in microbiomes (Lee et al. Nature Commun. 2023: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36633-7).

The position is for three years initially but may be extended based on funding and performance. It will be based within Dr Quince’s group at the Earlham Institute (https://www.earlham.ac.uk/quince-group). In the group we focus on tools for microbiome analysis combining both computational and molecular techniques. 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 at a Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist Level SC5.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have PhD in bioinformatics, mathematics 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 or mathematics. 

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, machine learning, bioinformatics of metagenomics or metabolomics, a biological understanding of/or mathematical modelling of microbial communities 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 £39,000 to £42,150 per annum depending on qualifications and experience for the SC6 level role. A starting salary of £40,100 is guaranteed for candidates who can evidence their PhD certificate at appointment; those awaiting confirmation of their PhD award will be appointed at £39,000 until evidence is provided.
Salary on appointment will be within the range £47,450 - £52,560 per annum depending on qualifications and experience for 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 13th November 2026.