Description of the workplace

The position is in the Formulation group, which is a part of the Division of Food and Pharma at the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering. The group’s work encompasses formulation of food and pharma with a particular focus on proteins and polar lipids. Furthermore, the work within the group involves characterization of related structures using advanced techniques, including synchrotron small angle x-ray scattering, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) etc. 

Subject description

The transition from animal protein toward plant protein in formulated foods has many challenges. Plant proteins often lack the functionality (e.g., gelling, emulsifying, foaming) of animal proteins, affecting mouthfeel and structure. To address this, it is necessary to establish a thorough understanding of the protein properties and functionality on several hierarchical structure levels. An often-neglected aspect of plant protein functionality is their interaction with polar lipids who can self- assemble into various supramolecular structures. This project sets out to characterize and understand how protein-lipid interaction can lead to functional structures for food formulation.

The project is part of a MSCA doctoral training program and will involve 4 secondments (1-2 months each) for performing research at other European universities.

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 will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%) during the fourth year of the doctoral studies.

Your work will include studying protein and polar lipid properties, creating protein-lipid assemblies and study their properties regarding structural features and linking these to functionality. A large part of the work is that you will also contribute to developing characterization methodologies in collaboration with the MAX IV synchrotron in Lund and the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund. The developed methodology will be used for characterizing protein and lipid assemblies. Through your research, you will be expected contribute to the work of the research group, plan and perfrom experimental work, analyze, draw conclusion, and report – all with support/collaboration from supervisors and other experts from different fields.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Screening a few suitable plant proteins and polar lipid systems for the project tasks.
• Creating lipid-protein assemblies and characterize these in detail.
• Investigating the functionality of the assemblies regarding interfacial rheology, emulsification, foam stability and gel formation.
• Developing methodology for AF4 and synchrotron SAXS.
• Developing methodology for AF4 and small angle neutron scattering (SANS).

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 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:

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:

• Previous experience and interest in colloid/soft matter science.
• Previous experience and interest in analytical separation techniques, such as field-flow fractionation (AF4) and liquid chromatography.
• Previous experience and interest in small angle scattering techniques.

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. For international candidates, you can read more about living and working in Sweden on this website https://sweden.se/

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.).

In addition, it is necessary to also apply at the website of Edible Soft Matter: https://edible-soft-matter.eu/open-positions/

Welcome to apply!