Description of the workplace

This project is part of the research center FORCE, a center for food system resilience and competitiveness. It will include close collaborations between the divisions Food and Pharma and Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology, both within PLE, and with different food companies. The position is placed at the division of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology with about 50 researchers and teachers.

You will be part of the Food Safety research group that conducts basic and applied research in interdisciplinary collaborations with both academia and industry. The research within food safety and the ability of microorganisms to establish in food systems is primarily focusing on foodborne microbial virulence and biofilm formation.

Subject description

In the research subject of applied microbiology, microbial physiology and molecular mechanisms are central areas with the goal of understanding the presence, growth behavior, metabolism and survival of microorganisms in different environments and production conditions. The subject encompasses experimental and theoretical studies based on fundamental and applied sciences, utilizing microbiological methods to address issues with relevance to the biotech and food industry. For more information, see the general syllabus for doctoral studies in Applied Microbiology [TEKMBF00].

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, you as a 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. You will also be located a minimum of 20% in the food industry.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Identifying knowledge gaps in food safety for different food systems
• Studying microbial survival and behavior in new and traditional plant-based foods, processing techniques and side/waste streams
• Optimizing microbial risk assessment frameworks, identify mitigation strategies and developing guidelines for safe handling, processing and long-term storage
• Evaluating food safety risks during process conversions and in times of crisis
• Investigating how different materials and properties of process surfaces affect the adhesion and biofilm-forming ability of microorganisms

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 if they have:

• at least 30 credits in the subject (bioscience), of which at least 15 credits from the second cycle and a specialized project of at least 15 second-cycle credits in the subject, or 
• an MSc in Engineering, other Master’s degree or other comparable degree including applied bioscience

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• Documented good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented knowledge and practical experience of laboratory work, aseptic techniques, classical food microbiology and microbial food safety.

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: 

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

• Practical experience of classical microbiological work (such as culture-based methods, spectrophotometry, microscopy and flow cytometry) in BSL-1 and BSL-2 research laboratories.
• Good knowledge of basic food analyses.
• Experience of independently plan, perform and document laboratory experiments
• Good knowledge and practical experience of food processes.
• Experience of working with the food industry
• Pedagogical experience
• Good ability to write scientific literature 
• Documented experience of working with MS Office

We are looking for a person who has a good ability to work in a structured and independent manner. The applicant should be comfortable interacting with different professions in both academia and the food industry. Consideration will be given to good collaborative abilities, dedication 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§.