The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD–position related to food science, with the possibility of extension for up to one year.
The overall aim of the project is to find novel food applications for currently underutilized crops or side streams from plant food production. To achieve this, a better understanding of the composition, and how constituents are influenced by processing operations, is needed. The interactions among the constituents as well as among ingredients and processing aids affect the structure and acceptability of food products.
The candidate will investigate the structures and interactions among major (proteins, starch, non-starch polysaccharides) and minor constituents (enzymes, phenolics) in cereal grains and legumes, and baked goods prepared from them. One focus point will be the distribution of endogenous enzymes across flour streams as well as the role of enzymes added as processing aids. The project can also involve the development of novel processes and process optimization, on a laboratory or pilot-plant scale at the department’s biorefinery.
The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD program at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
- Structural and functional analysis of food constituents from novel crops and/or by-products, in particular cereal grains and/or legumes
- Studying the link between compositional aspects and properties of plant foods
- Preparation and characterization of flour streams
- Analysis of products made from flour streams across processing stages (dough, batter, final products)
- Assessment of ingredient functionality
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are at master’s degree level. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Required Academic qualifications
- Master’s degree in food science, biotechnology, nutrition science, chemistry, or another relevant area
- Strong oral and written competency in English.
Experience in at least two of the following areas is desired:
- Analysis of cereal grains or legumes
- Structural and/or functional characterization of proteins, e.g., via SDS-Page and size exclusion chromatography
- Rheology and texture analysis
- Analysis of carbohydrates, lipids or phytochemicals in foods
- Analytical methods such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy
- Proteomics and enzyme characterization
- Biorefining processes
Personal qualities:
- Inquisitive and driven to understand complex food systems
- Ambitious, diligent, and self-motivated
- Committed to be part of a collaborative and supportive team
- Genuinely interested in scientific research and its industrial applications
- Good social and collaborative skills
- Good communication skills, orally and written
- Practical/technical skills
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 501.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Catrin Tyl at catrin.tyl@nmbu.no or +4767232999 or check out the BioRef research group’s web-page:
https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm/research/groups/btb.
Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants
Application
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button above. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application deadline: 02.08.2022
In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.
Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
- Complete CV
- Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts, and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
- Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
- Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English
- Names and contact details of two references
- Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)
About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
KBM has about 160 employees and 50 PhD students. A broad array of scientific disciplines is represented, ranging from fundamental natural to the applied sciences. KBM employees perform research and education in their areas of expertise and are actively involved in the dissemination of findings. State-of-the-art instrumentation for cutting-edge research is available.
Further information can be found at www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm
NMBU is engaged in research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do, and we deliver knowledge of and for life.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside of the labor market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no. The position is placed in the research group for Bioprocess Technology and Biorefining (BioRef).
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences
NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.