PhD scholarship in novel healthy food ingredients and precision prebiotics from food waste – DTU Food

Engineering/it

The PhD position aims to investigate the development of the fish skin waste glycoproteins to high value healthy food ingredients with novel functionalities, colloidal properties, and precision prebiotic activities.

You will be associated with the Research Group for Food Production Engineering at the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, and the Protein Glycoscience and Biotechnology Group at the Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, Department of DTU-Bioengineering.

If you dream of a career in science where you can combine top quality molecular research with making a significant impact on innovating novel technologies and green foods for a healthier and more sustainable future, then this position may just be for you.

This PhD project is funded from the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF). 

You are expected to start 1st June 2024, or soon hereafter.

Responsibilities 
This project will investigate the valorization of fish skin glycoproteins to generate food structures with novel functionalities and prebiotic activities that impact the gut microbiota. The project will cover the following tasks: 

  • Purification, characterization, and enzymatic manipulation of fish skin proteins/glycoproteins
  • Colloidal and functional properties of modified glycoproteins and their nano-microstructures
  • Development and evaluation of novel food ingredients and prebiotics candidates 
  • Analyses of digestion properties and interplay of novel prebiotic candidates with the gut microbiota.

Further, you will have tasks including:  

• Supervision of undergraduate students.

Qualifications

  • The ideal candidate has an outstanding academic record, high ambitions and motivation for research excellence and good command of written and spoken English. In addition, you need to be able to work independently and thrive in an international collaborative environment, where you will work in 2-3 different laboratories within the project.
  • A strong background in biochemistry/protein chemistry is critical, preferably with knowledge/familiarity within carbohydrate chemistry and/or biopolymer chemistry.
  • Theoretical and/or practical skills in one or more of the following would be a great advantage to the project: microbiology, analytical chemistry, hydrocolloids and statistical analyses.

You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The assessment of candidates will be made by Ioannis S. Chronakis, Flemming Jessen, and Maher Abou Hachem. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Ioannis S. Chronakis (ioach@food.dtu.dk) or Maher Abou Hachem (maha@bio.dtu.dk) or Flemming Jessen fjes@food.dtu.dk

You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at: www.food.dtu.dk and about the Research Group for Food Production Engineering at: https://www.food.dtu.dk/english/research/food-production-engineering.

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at: https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/ and the Protein Glycoscience and Biotechnology Research Group at: https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/research/research-sections/section-for-protein-chemistry-and-enzyme-technology/proteinglycoscience.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 March 2024 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply now”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

  • A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
  • Curriculum vitae 
  • Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
  • Recommendation letter(s) and up to three references.

You may apply prior to obtaining your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

Deadline: 2024-03-01 at 23:59
Unit: dtu

Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.