Research Scientist (Data Science)

Food, Microbiome & Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience

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. Optimizing the 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 are developing novel fermented plant-based foods. This 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.

In the longer term, this research will support the development of human-centric fermented foods that are safe, appealing, and environmentally sustainable.

The environment: The successful applicant will work within the Hildebrand and Traka groups, integrated in the H2020 international FlavourFerm consortium. 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 QIB and the Earlham Institute developing widely used bioinformatic tools.

Dr Traka leads the UK national resource Food & Nutrition National Bioscience Research Infrastructure, focused on automated food categorization using AI.

FlavourFerm combines microbiologists, machine learning and food scientists, to develop the next generation of healthy and sustainable nutrition. The project requires close collaborations across Europe; attendance and participation in workshops and consortium meetings is required.

The ideal candidate: holds a PhD (or equivalent) in biology, bioinformatics, computer science or a related discipline, being experienced in bioinformatics, (meta)genomic data, and microbiology. Knowledge in AI, machine learning, microbial pathogens, microbiology of fermentation, comparative genomics and analysing microbial communities will be of benefit. Specialized skills will be taught and developed through mentorship and collaborations.

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.

Closing date for applications will be 17 May 2026. Interviews are planned for week commencing 1st June 2026.

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. The Institute is an Equality Confident employer.