Dr. Oon-Doo Baik and collaborators are currently seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join an exciting research project. The focus of this project is to assess the influence of RF heating on the reduction of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) and the enhancement of functional properties in faba bean powders. Additionally, the project aims to elucidate the kinetics of thermal degradation under RF conditions.
The project is funded through the 2024-2027 from NSERC Alliance-Mitacs Accelerate Program. This is therefore a 3-year position, provided satisfactory performance during the probation period.
Nature of Work:
The primary responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Fellow will be to conduct research associated with the NSERC-Mitacs program. It includes conducting in-depth investigations into the impact of radiofrequency (RF) heating conditions on the reduction of antinutritional factors (ANFs: vicine, convicine, lipoxygenase) in faba bean powder. The primary focus will be on assessing the thermal degradation kinetics of ANFs and functional properties under various RF heating conditions. Other duties include, but are not limited to, and presenting data, and writing scientific manuscripts. Collaboration with colleagues, keeping laboratory spaces clean and organized, assistance with laboratory procedures, data analysis, assistance with meeting organization and presentations to research project meetings.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
- Evaluate RF Heating Conditions: Investigate and analyze the effect of different RF heating conditions on the reduction of ANFs in faba bean powder.
- Kinetics and Mathematical Modeling: Determine the kinetics of thermal degradation of ANFs and functional properties under various RF heating conditions. Develop mathematical models to effectively describe the observed changes.
- Long-Term Stability Assessment: Assess the long-term stability of RF-treated faba bean powder, specifically focusing on monitoring ANF content during storage periods.
- Pre-treatment Method Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of a pre-treatment method, specifically soaking, to enhance the RF heating effect on the reduction of ANFs in faba bean powder.
- Collaboration and Support: Collaborate with other team members, which involves assessing ANFs following conventional heating treatments.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education:
A PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, or related discipline, preferably with experience in RF heating, instrumentational analysis, kinetics modeling, dielectric properties measurement. Candidates who are in the last stages of their PhD studies will also be considered provided there is a clear timeline to completion.
Experience:
The successful candidate has experience in:
- Demonstrated experience conducting radio frequency heating experiment (with thermal vision camera, optic-fibre temperature sensors), instrumentational analysis (HPLC, spectrometry), dielectric loss factor measurement (LCR meter).
- Performing appropriate statistical analyses on experimental data and Matlab coding for kinetics modeling
- Publishing research results in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Safe laboratory procedures.
- Supervisory experience would be considered an asset.
Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to use Matlab and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Teams, etc).
- Demonstrated ability to use HPLC and spectrometry
- Demonstrated ability to create and foster relationships with people of diverse backgrounds and education levels.
- Demonstrated ability to present research results to farmer and/or industry audiences.
To Apply: Applications will be accepted online only at careers.usask.ca and must include a cover letter, a statement addressing qualifications, and resume, and be submitted as a single PDF document. The statement addressing qualifications must address each and every one of the qualifications listed in the above sections on education, experience, and skills. The use of subtitles is strongly recommended. We also strongly encourage providing specific examples of actions or behaviors to demonstrate experience or skill. Applications that fail to provide all of the information required will be considered incomplete and will not be assessed.
Review of applications will start on February 18th 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is found.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Dr. Oon-Doo Baik ([email protected]).
Department: College of Engineering
Status: Term
Employment Group: Post-Doctoral Fellows - PSAC
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary Information: The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Posted Date: 1/25/2024
Closing Date: 6 Weeks. 3/7/2024
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus