Doctoral student in Food and Formulation Engineering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

The research subject Food and Formulation Engineering covers experimental and theoretical studies based on science and engineering aiming to address issues of relevance to the food and pharmaceutical industries, including aspects of production and consumption of food in society. Focus within this project will be on dairy technology and engineering.

Work duties

Consumer trends are focused on minimal processing of milk. The new process technologies for heat treatment used in the dairy industry today probably have smaller effects on the nutritional quality and functionality of milk than the older technologies that are the basis for the calculations of nutritional values declared to consumers. The doctoral student will work in a research project on processing technologies for heat treatment and effects on the nutritional quality and functionality of milk. The reasearch project is a cooperation between Lund University, Arla Foods, Norrmejerier, Skånemejerier, the National Food Agency and Tetra Pak.

The research include development of new models for processing effects on the nutritional quality and functionality of milk that can be used for calculations of nutritional values declared to consumers. The aim of the project is to evaluate the effects of various food processing technologies on milk quality, mainly in the production of low- and high-pasteurized milk, ESL and UHT milk. The overall aim is to ensure the nutritional quality declared to consumers, which could lead to increased added value and demand for milk as raw material in dairy products and milk-based foods. The main part of the project will be carried out in Lund, but may also include analyses at the partners in the project and other research groups in the Nordic countries. In addition, participation in national and international conferences and continuous cooperation with industrial partners are included.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Food and Formulation Engineering if he or she has:

• at least 60 credits in the subject of the third-cycle programme, of which at least 30 credits are from second-cycle courses of relevance to the subject and 30 credits from a second-cycle degree project of relevance to the subject, or
• an MSc in Engineering, a one-year Master’s degree or other comparable degree of relevance to the field.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. Written and oral communication skills Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

It is merit with in-depth knowledge in dairy technology, dairy processing, nutrition and statistical analyses/modelling.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.