
Group leader
Prof Falk Hildebrand
Falk studies the ecology and evolution of microbial strains and develops computational methods for resolving them in metagenomic data.
Quadram profile ↗Earlham profile ↗Contact FalkWe bring together researchers with complementary interests in microbial ecology, computational biology and bioinformatics. We value ambitious ideas, clear communication, collegiality and sustainable ways of working.

Group leader
Falk studies the ecology and evolution of microbial strains and develops computational methods for resolving them in metagenomic data.
Quadram profile ↗Earlham profile ↗Contact Falk
Postdoctoral research scientist
Anthony develops genome-resolved and unsupervised methods for prokaryotic and eukaryotic metagenomes, and studies microbial responses to diet.
Earlham profile ↗
Postdoctoral research scientist
Kaden studies interactions among hosts, microorganisms and their environments, drawing on his background in cnidarian ecology.

Metagenomics research scientist
Shijia uses genome-scale metabolic models to study early-life gut communities and microbial responses to plant-based diets.
Quadram profile ↗
Research scientist
William develops genome-resolved methods for soil metagenomics, with current work on stable-isotope data and ammonia-oxidising archaea.
Quadram profile ↗
Research scientist
Luke studies population-level microbial DNA methylation dynamics and their contribution to phenotypic divergence.

Project scientist
Hajra studies fungal microbiomes, microbial persistence and interactions between hosts and microorganisms, informed by earlier work on autoimmune disease.
Quadram profile ↗
Postgraduate researcher
Wing develops rapid strain-level metagenomic approaches for inflammatory bowel disease, including Oxford Nanopore sequencing.
Quadram profile ↗
Postgraduate researcher
Nabina develops sequencing and bioinformatic approaches to detect and track low-abundance microorganisms, including pathogens.
Quadram profile ↗We are grateful to former colleagues whose ideas, methods and care helped shape the lab. This record spans research appointments, doctoral training and visiting placements; their contributions remain part of the group’s scientific record.

Project scientist
Developed methods for enriching and studying fungi in the rare microbiome.

PhD student
Studied evolutionary pressures shaping the human gut resistome.

PhD student
Worked on bacterial enrichment methods and pangenomes of human gut communities.

Postdoc
Studied interactions between gut bacteria and their environment, and microbiome adaptation across generations.

Visiting PhD
Investigated gut microbial evolution in colorectal cancer.

Postdoc
Combined biotechnology and bioinformatics to study gut-microbiota evolution.

PhD student
Developed higher-resolution taxonomy and strain-level bioinformatic methods.

Postdoc
Applied systems biology and metabolic modelling to microbial communities.

Postdoc
Explored microbial transmission and interactions between hosts and microorganisms.

Postdoc
Studied strain diversity, symbioses and pangenomes in gut microbiomes.

Postdoc
Investigated microbial evolution, horizontal gene transfer and population genetics.

Postdoc
Studied the nasal microbiome and microbial antagonism against pathobionts.

Intern
Worked on associations between disease and the microbiome, using machine-learning approaches.

MSc by Research student
Investigated microbial ecology and microbiome dynamics.

Intern
Worked on amyloidogenic proteins in the gut microbiome and cognition.
We welcome enquiries from prospective researchers, students, visiting scientists and collaborators whose questions connect with the lab’s work.
View opportunities