Description of the workplace

This project will be part of FORCE, a centre for food system resilience and competitiveness. It will include close collaboration between the divisions of Food and Pharma, and Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology, both within PLE, and with different food companies.

The position is placed at the Division of Food and Pharma, where research and education based on a technical and scientific foundation are conducted, to meet issues of relevance to society. You will be part of the Food Bioprocesses research group, which has several interdisciplinary collaborations in both academia and industry and performs basic and applied research for commercial applications. The research within the group is specialised in the utilisation of plant-based residual streams for novel food products.

Subject description

The research subject 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. 

Work duties

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 can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

In the position, the doctoral student is involved in FORCE, and affiliated with the LiFT graduate school. The position includes close collaboration with the project's industrial partners, as well as active participation in the center's activities. 20% of the total time will be spent in the food industry.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Evaluation of different process technologies and scaling-up opportunities
• Optimising the use of residual streams from the food industry
• Developing product formulations and process technologies for future foods 
• Developing novel meat and dairy analogues with added value
• Characterisation of raw materials and products

Admission requirements

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

• 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 the applicant 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.
• Good knowledge and practical experience of food processes at semi-pilot or pilot scale.
• Good knowledge and practical experience of basic food analyses (proximal composition and functional properties).
• Proven experience in MS Office

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 cycles. Special attention is paid to the following: 

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

Other assessment criteria:

• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish/related Scandinavian language.
• Experience in industrial collaboration 
• Pedagogic experience
• Experience of working with plant-based residual streams
• Good ability to write scientific literature
• Experience with extrusion processes
• Driver's license cat. B

We are looking for a person who has a strong ability to work in a structured and independent manner. The applicant should be able to easily collaborate with various professionals within both academia and the food industry. Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave, and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university

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 §§.

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.).

Welcome to apply!

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§.