(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. 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.
• For further information and details of how to apply, please visit http://jobs.earlham.ac.uk/ or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1006203.
• This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.
• 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.