4344-E - Postgraduate Research Fellow in Flavour Technology

View All Vacancies
Food and Markets
Location:  Medway Campus
Salary:  £30,487 to £36,024 per annum
Contract Type:  Fixed Term
Release Date:  Wednesday 27 March 2024
Closing Date:  Wednesday 10 April 2024
Interview Date:  To be confirmed
Reference:  4344-E

The Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich is offering an exciting position for a Post-doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work at the Medway Food Innovation Centre on a Innovate UK funded project to unravel the flavour challenge of algal protein.

The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich is part of the project PROFILE (P rotein R ecO very for F ood using I onic L iquid E xtraction), funded by Innovate UK, which will develop a novel approach to microalgae protein production. Besides NRI, the other partners of this project are London-based biotechnology start-up Arborea Ltd. (the industry lead) and Imperial College London (ICL). By 2050, the world will need to produce twice as much protein as it does today to feed its population and meeting this demand through the emission intensive animal agriculture would require 25,000 km2 grazing land for cattle, for example, or 2,000km2 of soya plantations, neither of which is sustainable. Arborea has patented technology to harvest microalgae which can produce 100x more protein per hectare than imported soy. Thus, incorporation of algal ingredients into human food systems has gained increased attention in recent years, with the significant interest in alternative proteins for use in foods. The protein fraction needs to be extracted from algal biomass and get rid of the off flavour to be used for the downstream food production. However, the conventional protein extraction methods for microalgae are expensive, somewhat unsustainable, and relatively less efficient. Thus, innovative extraction methods will be applied to produce algal protein extract through a low-cost, environmentally friendly process. Using University of Greenwich's state-of-the-art flavour analysis facility at the Medway Food Innovation Centre, the flavour profile for different batches of microalgae harvested will be assessed to identify key off-flavour compounds and accordingly flavour masking technology will be developed. 

As part of the GK&M project, the University of Greenwich has set up the Medway Food Innovation Centre (MFIC). This state-of-the-art facility aims to deliver step-changing research on alternative protein, provide R&D solutions for food industries via enterprise support as well as conduct excellent training and courses on novel food product and process technologies. The flavour analysis capability has been established within MFIC to deliver advanced food research and innovation programme as well as facilitate the enterprise support activities. The advanced flavour analysis platform is equipped with an automated sample preparation unit (Centri) having robotic sampling facility attached to the two dimensional gas chromatography coupled with Time of Flight Mass spectrometry (Centri-GCxGC-ToF MS), hitherto not available in the campus. This high end facility will be extensively used in the PROFILE project to assess the flavour profile of algal samples and related volatile analysis to support novel extraction method for algal proteins. 

The appointed PDRA will have the responsibility to deliver NRI owned KPIs for the Innovate UK funded project PROFILE by performing research, reporting the project progress, regularly attain project meetings, and related company visits etc. Together with the newly appointed Flavour Technologist at MFIC, the PDRA will ensure that the GCxGC-ToF MS facility is seamlessly operational, besides, work closely with food process scientist and the MFIC head to contribute to the research on understanding flavour challenges of plant/algal protein-based foods. The appointed PDRA will also have the opportunity to develop bid for external grant applications (e.g. for UKRI/KTP/Innovate SMART grant etc.) which, if successful, will provide the candidate future career progression to independent scientist position to further expand the flavour research and science horizon at the NRI. With support from the GK&M project as well as Food Processing and Innovation (FPI) research group, the PDRA will also partially engage in developing technical solutions for flavour challenges related to the new product development by food businesses involved within the Food Accelerator programme. This will provide the PDRA an unique opportunity to gain industrial research experience with exposure of working directly with food businesses. 

The ideal candidate will have proven experience of working with GC-MS/GCxGC-ToF MS facility (and in-depth knowledge of the flavour volatile analysis is essential) with at least PhD level in food/flavour science and preferably some prior experience of enterprise support. 

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Parag Acharya, Senior Fellow in Food Innovation on [email protected] . 

Should you have any queries please contact the People Operations team on [email protected]

Further details of the fantastic benefits and what we offer can be found here: Our benefits - what we offer | Jobs and careers | University of Greenwich and information on the university’s working principles: Working Principles and Guidelines | Documents | University of Greenwich

To apply, please visit the University of Greenwich vacancies page and complete all details, including the supporting statements: Current Vacancies - Jobs at Greenwich  

We are looking for people who can help us deliver our mission of transforming lives through inspired teaching and research, through our values.

Please note, previous candidates need not apply.

Academic Career Pathways

We are committed to building a strong, diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly encourage applications from [protected characteristic(s)], who are currently under-represented within the University of Greenwich at these levels/within these areas.

We do this through taking positive action such as encouraging applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled and LGBT+ people. As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Time to Change Employer Pledge /Mentally Healthy Universities , we are committed to promoting and supporting the physical and mental health of all our staff, and removing barriers to improve inclusion. 

We encourage applicants to disclose experience of mental health problems so we can support them fully during our recruitment process and make any necessary reasonable adjustments. Any information disclosed will be kept confidential and separate from the job application form. 

We are making significant strides to understand and continuously improve our employees’ experience and we are committed to implementing progressive diversity talent management.