PhD candidate within food science and microbiology investigating the effect of processing on product quality and spoilage bacteria

The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD–position within food science and microbiology. The vacant position will be a part of the “SciFood: Food quality and Sustainability” research group.

The sustainable development goal target 12.3 aims at halving the capita global food waste along the entire food chain by 2030. Along the dairy value chain, the presence of spoilage bacteria in raw milk and dairy products is a known problem for increasing the risk of food waste and for reducing product quality.

Increased knowledge on the effect of technological processes on spoilage presence and composition is needed and is of fundamental importance in reducing food waste.

The PhD candidate will be involved in ongoing projects on how existing and novel technological processes impact the composition of spoilage bacteria (e.g, psychrotrophs, spore formers, and biofilm-forming bacteria) as well as the appearance of quality defects.

Main tasks

Major tasks include:

• To investigate the composition and diversity of spoilage bacteria along the dairy production chain
• To study how different technological processes impact the milk microbiota with focus on spoilage bacteria
• To study how the presence of spoilage bacteria impacts on the quality of dairy products

Competence

The successful applicant must meet the requirements for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme (300 ETC), where 120 ECT are at master’s degree level. The applicant must have a strong, documented academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the supplementary regulations for the KBM PhD programme.

Furthermore, the following qualifications are required or desired.

Required qualifications

• Completed master’s degree in food science, food engineer or biotechnology
• Experience with food microbiology and general microbiology through course studies
• (Master’s degree GPA: B or better; Master’s thesis B or better)

Desired experiences

• Relevant experience with dairy science and processing
• Experimental work in molecular microbiology
• Experience in food analysis
• Good academic writing skills

We are looking for a candidate who is ambitious, curious, and motivated to work in a strong research environment. The ideal candidates will combine the following personal qualities:

• Curious and genuinely interested in scientific research.
• Independent and hard-working
• Creative and ambitious
• Accurate with good practical skills
• Good social and collaborative skills

We expect that the candidate will successfully publish research findings in high-impact peer reviewed journals. Applicants must be proficient in both written and spoken English Scandinavian language abilities are also preferred.

Remuneration and further information

PhD student: The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 491.200) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact Associate professor Davide Porcellato (davide.porcellato@nmbu.no) at the “Food quality and Sustainability” at KBM (Food Quality and Sustainability group)

Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants

Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button above. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 27.04.2022

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Complete CV 
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3). 
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science

The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) employs about 160 people. Currently about 50 PhD students are enrolled into our PhD program. KBM represents a broad range of scientific fields encompassing basic natural sciences such as microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the application of these towards food chemistry, technology and safety, biotechnology, bioprocessing and environmental issues. The Faculty is responsible for education, research and information within our fields of expertise and also has state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform research within these fields. KBM collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally. 

Further information: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm 

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences

NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.

NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.

We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.

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