Department of Food Science (FOOD KU), Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Food Engineering. The project is in collaboration with Arla. The project is in “Designing the next generation of complete nutrition beverages through advanced ingredients” Start date is (expected to be) January 1st 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project: An aging population requires development of new products to provide complete nutrition solutions, including beverages in drinkable formats with extended shelf life. These products could be also suitable for medical nutrition. Novel whey protein ingredients present a potential to formulate complete nutrition beverages with added benefits of improved amino acid composition.
This brings technical challenges in producing drinks that are dense; multiphase (i.e. o/w emulsion) containing a high amount of protein; calories; and appropriate mineral content. Achieving these product specifications requires control of the behaviour of the protein ingredients during thermal treatment of complex formulations.
The aim of the PhD is to develop knowledge to support formulation of stable emulsions with low viscosity. We will investigate the mechanisms of emulsion stabilisation by proteins, including the effects of formulation and processing parameters. This will be done by developing methods for small scale production/processing of emulsions followed by extensive physicochemical characterisation of samples ex-situ using among others microscopy; rheology; particle characterization and surface chemistry.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates with the field(s) of Food Engineering, Food Material Science. Applicants can have a background for example from Dairy Engineering, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry. Knowledge of dairy systems and/or relevant characterisation methods will be considered an advantage.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The group is a part of Deaprtment of Food Science, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include access to state of the art pilot plants, ability to use a range of sensors and expertise in process modelling and design.
The PhD project will be undertaken in collaboration with Arla Foods Ingredients. Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI), a subsidiary of the European dairy cooperative Arla Foods, is a global leader within specialized high quality milk and whey ingredients used to meet specific needs of children, athletes, patients and consumers. Close collaboration with AFI presents a unique opportunity for the student to benefit from a dynamic environment, state of the art facilities as well as be exposed in an industrial environment that will enable transformation of fundamental knowledge to practical findings
Principal supervisor isProf. Serafim Bakalis, Department of Food Science, E-mail: bakalis@food.ku.dk , Direct Phone: +4535336314.
Qualifications needed
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemical Engineering. For information of eligibility of completed programmes,
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in Sustainable Food Processing
- Good language skills
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project)
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if possible)
- Reference letters (if available)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 21st of October 2022, 23:59 GMT +1.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in October
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.