PhD position in FOod Science

Applications are invited for a PhD position at the University of Aarhus, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (DJF), Department of Food Science. The position is available for three years beginning as soon as possible.

Research area and project description
The current knowledge of how dynamic processes during manufacturing affect crystallisation is limited especially when the milk fat is present in both a continuous phase and as milk fat globules, like in butter. An improved knowledge will help solve certain problems about instability of milk fat-based products. Furthermore, it is desirable to add vegetable lipids to milk fat which renders a softer and “healthier” spread product. Again, knowledge is lacking of how this will affect polymorphic transition of the lipids, and how the processes will affect this.

We are looking for a skilled PhD-candidate to study how heating, cooling and shearing of cream, butter and anhydrous milk fat affect the transition of polymorphic crystal forms and the final solid fat content of the products. In addition, the effects of mixing vegetable oils into milk fat on the polymorphic transitions will be studied.

The PhD candidate for this project must have a general background in food science, physical chemistry or biotechnology. A study visit abroad is anticipated during the PhD.

Qualifications
Applicants to the PhD position must have a relevant Master’s degree (or graduate in the very near future – documentation for final thesis and date of examination must be enclosed in the application) or equivalent.

Place of Employment and Place of Work
The place of employment is the University of Aarhus, and the place of work is the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele.

The PhD-student will be enrolled in the faculty’s Graduate School of Agriculture, Food and Environment (SAFE) and associated with the Danish Food Research School (FOOD Denmark).

FOOD Denmark is a Danish research school with more than 140 PhD students affiliated from the University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Aarhus, University of Southern Denmark and the Technical University of Denmark. FOOD Denmark has close collaboration with some of the most advanced Danish producers of food or food ingredients. The present scholarship is co-financed by Arla Foods, Food Denmark and the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.

Salary and Terms of Employment
Salary and terms of employment are according to current agreement for state-employed academics and government circular from the Ministry of Finance regarding PhD students as well as the appointment structure of 2007 for scientific personnel at universities.

Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact: Senior scientist Lars Wiking, +45 8999 1569, e-mail: lars.wiking-at-agrsci.dk

Application
A written application should be marked ”IFK-09-12”. Four copies of the application including: motivation letter, curriculum vitae, diplomas, references, and other relevant material should be sent to:

University of Aarhus
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Department of Food Science
P.O. Box 50
DK-8830 Tjele
Denmark

Alternatively, applications may be sent by e-mail to ifk.djf-at-agrsci.dk .

The deadline for applications is 26 May 2009 at 12.00 noon.

Applications received after the deadline for applications will not be considered!