Postdoc in Functional Ingredients from Marine Biomass

A 2-year postdoc position on the topic of marine-derived food ingredient functionality is available from October 2024 within SDU Biotechnology, Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark. The position is part of the EU-project ‘FOODIMAR – sustainable climate-friendly quality food ingredients from marine side-streams’. 

The Candidate:

We are looking for a motivated and skilled candidate with a PhD degree within Food Science & Technology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific fields. The successful candidate will contribute to marine food ingredient characterization, functionality testing, and innovative product development.

The ideal candidate has expertise in/experience with:

• Biomaterial extraction and chemical characterization methods
• Food ingredient property and functionality characterization methods
• Food product innovation
• Collaborative research projects

Previous experience with marine-derived ingredients and their applications in food and beverages is desirable.

The ideal candidate will have a strong enthusiasm for industry collaboration and a proactive approach to engaging in scientific discussions. They will work closely with our research group and project partners, fostering a positive and collaborative research environment. 

Key attributes include open communication, excellent scientific writing skills, and a curious, interdisciplinary mindset. Proficiency in English is essential. Additionally, the role includes the opportunity to teach and supervise students. Participation in career development courses is encouraged and supported.

The Project:

This position is part of the EU-funded project FOODIMAR involving several research and innovation partners in Europe (https://submariner-network.eu/untapped-resources-from-the-sea-the-foodimar-project-hits-the-ground-running-with-a-succesful-kick-off-meeting-in-berlin/), aiming to develop innovative, cost-effective and sustainable methods for producing and applying high-quality ingredients from marine side-streams to formulate food products.

The increased demands for marine food consumption and high levels of food loss and waste challenges blue ecosystems and is unsustainable. At the same time, side-streams from fisheries and aquaculture can be valorized to obtain functional ingredients for food products. 

This project will investigate the functionality of both pure ingredients (e.g. gelatine, collagen, GAGs) and less refined mixtures obtained from fish and jellyfish side-streams and by-catch. The work will involve investigation of the ingredients under different physicochemical conditions and testing their application in liquid and solid prototype food products using a range of instrument characterization methods and to some degree sensory evaluation. The project will require close collaboration with product development partners, and engagement with partners involved in other aspects of the project (chemical characterization, processing, sustainability assessment), as well as assist in assessment of jellyfish supply chain in Denmark. 

The research environment:

The postdoc will work in the SDU FOODLAB under the guidance of Associate Professor Mathias P. Clausen. SDU FOODLAB explores food materials from fundamental science to product innovation under the paradigm that fundamental understandings of food and curiosity will accelerate food innovation. The team includes several postdocs and PhD students working in related research topics and consists of colleagues from diverse scientific and cultural backgrounds.

Further information about this position is available from Associate Professor Mathias P. Clausen, [email protected], +45 6550 7425.

If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected]. 

Conditions of employment 

Appointment as postdoctoral researcher is temporary and for an initial 24 months. 

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment.  

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

Assessment and selection process 

Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  

Interviews and tests may be part of the process. 

Application procedure 

Before applying the candidates are expected to read the SDU information on how to apply and specific faculty information for application at the Faculty of Engineering.    

The application shall include the following documents in English:  

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.  
• Certificates/Diplomas (master’s and PhD degree) – incl. transcripts of grades in Danish and/or English.  
• Complete list of publications. 
• Publications most relevant for the position. Please attach as one PDF-file for each publication (only full text publications (i.e. no links) can form the basis for assessment of the application). 

The application may also include: 

• Research statement. 
• Summary of experience in teaching. 
• Reference letters/References. 
• Documentation of other qualifications with relevance to the position. 

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’, Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’. All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’.  

The application deadline is 11. August 2024. at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST). 

Read more and apply for the position at https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/ledige-stillinger