PhD fellowship in Food Science

PhD Project in Sustainability Assessment of Algae Cultivation and Gastronomical Exploitation in Food Products

Do you want to contribute to a green transition by developing gentle processing technologies of algae cultivated and farmed locally in Denmark to obtain healthy and tasty food products, and meanwhile obtain a PhD degree in an international environment? Department of Food Science, Section of Design and Consumer Behaviour, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in with a focus on sustainability analysis of algae production and processing to alternative food ingredients and final products. The PhD project is part of the research project “SøStem” and “MASSPROVIT, which is financed by GUDP and DFF, respectively.

Start date is (expected to be) 1 August 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

This PhD project is part of two research and innovation projects, SøStem (Development of a cost-effective Søl cultivation system and development of Søl-based food products) and MASSPROVIT (Making microalgae a sustainable future source of proteins and vitamins), and focus on optimized production and processing for increased nutritional composition, quality and sensory properties micro- and macro-algae drived ingredients and final products and associated system level sustainability performance. The PhD project is expected to contribute to creating climate-resilient Danish food systems by providing science-based decision support for policy and business stakeholders on how to optimize sustainable food production systems. The PhD will contribute to understand how savoury flavours can be developed during gentle processing treatments of algae materials.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of biotechnology, food microbiology, food and sustainability science. It is an advantage if the candidate has previous work or research experience within food science. Experience in micro-/macro-algae processing and Life Cycle Assessment is also an advantage. The candidate should have a curious mind-set with a strong interest to learn new disciplines. It is also necessary to possess excellent communication, presentation, and academic writing skills in English.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The research of the Food Design and Sustainability (FDS) group is part of Food Science, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

FDS focus on the development of sustainable innovation in food science, which hinges on several critical understandings and their exploitation. At Food Design and Sustainability, we combine knowledge on environmental sustainable raw materials production and extraction, green chemistry principles and detailed knowledge about the properties of food components in complex food matrices during processing, storage and consumption. We advance the development of sustainable foods rooted in our understanding of the interplay between environmental sustainability, food safety, green chemistry principles, functionality and consumer acceptance. We exploit molecular principles and gastronomical potential while seeking optimal environmental performance of food systems. We work with the utilization of unexplored raw materials, novel ingredients and bioactive compounds in the design of health-improving functional foods. Lastly, we integrate environmental and nutritional life cycle assessment of innovative processes aiming at zero waste, climate resilient food systems and nutrient rich foods based on the knowledge of functionality and food design. Our international industrial and research network is centered around technology development by university and industrial partners constituting multi-business-actor systems subject to complex system science addressing the issue of closing separate technological and biological nutrient loops along the food supply chain and in exchange of biological resources with the natural environment. A new research angle is the holistic approach aiming at exploring pathways towards circular regenerative food systems implementing green/clean technologies within circular (multi-actors) industrial ecology systems contributing to environmental restoration and climate change mitigation and hypothesized to solve the global societal challenges associated to the transgression of the planetary boundaries.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment with state-of-the-art research facilities include modern laboratories.

Principal supervisor is Associate professor Karsten Olsen and co-supervisor will be professor Marianne Thomsen, Department of Food Science, e-mail: [email protected].

Job description

The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks as a PhD student at SCIENCE are:

• 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 biotechnology, food microbiology, food and sustainability science
• Good language skills

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 331,125 (approx. €43,750) including annual supplement (+ pension at a minimum DKK 53,811). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

 Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 7 June 2023 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. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/ .

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.