Research Scientist; RNAi Epigenetics

Organisation/Company Quadram Institute Bioscience Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Final date to receive applications 11 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

We are seeking an enthusiastic Research Scientist to join the Buscaino Laboratory at the Quadram Institute.

This Wellcome Trust–funded project investigates how RNA interference (RNAi) regulates Candida albicans adaptation to host environments and contributes to the commensal‑to‑pathogen transition.

This position is highly collaborative, and the post holder will contribute to a multidisciplinary effort to uncover how RNAi coordinates chromatin structure, genome stability and transcriptional responses during adaptation. They will support other lab members, troubleshooting and collaborative data interpretation. The post holder will contribute to scientific publications, prepare conference presentations and share findings at national and international meetings.

The post holder will be based at the Quadram Institute and will work closely with Prof Alessia Buscaino and members of her research group, as well as collaborating with two key external partners:
Prof Kevin Foster (University of Oxford) and Prof Ana Traven (Monash University).

The successful candidate will lead experimental work integrating (epi) genomics and genetics approaches to determine how RNAi shapes genome organisation and interacts with other epigenetic processes to facilitate fungal adaptation. This will include conducting chromatin‑profiling experiments such as ChIP‑seq and ATAC‑seq, performing Hi‑C analysis in wild‑type and RNAi‑defective strains under different host‑relevant gut conditions, and investigating how RNAi contributes to reversible, non‑DNA‑encoded regulation of gene expression.

They will also employ molecular genetics to generate and analyse RNAi mutants, and will work alongside the team’s bioinformatician to design optimal genomics and epigenomics strategies.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated experimental scientist to work at the interface of epigenetics, fungal biology and host–microbe interactions, within a vibrant and interdisciplinary research environment at the Quadram Institute.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Genetics, Molecular Biology or related disciplines.

The post holder will have a strong understanding of RNAi biology coupled with an excellent understanding of epigenetics. Practical experience with genetic manipulation, including generating mutants and conducting functional assays is essential.

Salary on appointment will be within the range £37,500 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full‑time post for a contract of 24 months.

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.

We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all sectors of society. The Institute values of Respect, Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence are at the heart of all we do, and we expect all employees to share and display these values. To support our commitment, we have a range of family, faith and diversity friendly working arrangements to help all staff achieve excellence in their area of work.

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

The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food. A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a state‑of‑the‑art building on the Norwich Research Park.

This is one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute. (  ).

The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.