PhD scholarship in: Protein rich food products from locally grown legumes - DTU Food

The successful candidate for this Alliance PhD project will identify cultures and conditions that can be used to create tofu like products from legumes like pea, beans, lentils, and lupines. Protein functionality of legume proteins will be investigated during an external stay at Cornell University.
This PhD position will give you the opportunity to develop and strengthen your skills and competences as a researcher in the crossroads between fundamental and applied science within the fields of protein chemistry, chemistry, sensory science, rheology, and microbiology.

The project addresses questions of key importance for a transition towards a more plant-based diet for the general population.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This PhD project is a collaborative research project between DTU and Cornell University, aimed at innovating sustainable and nutritious plant-based food products. Our principal objective is to engineer a new type of plant-based high protein food products that will enrich dietary diversity and facilitate consumer transition towards more plant-based proteins.

Our focus is to leverage non-soy legumes to create a novel category of plant-based products that parallel the versatility, nutrition, and natural composition of tofu. We intend to employ traditional tofu-making techniques, contemporary protein modification methods, and fermentation processes to explore a diverse spectrum of textures and tastes.

Your work will include the following fields of research:

• Protein Functionality
  • You will assess the protein functionality of the new plant proteins and employ novel approaches in functionality modification, including properties such as solubility, emulsification, gelation, and foaming capacity.
• Microbial Fermentation
  • You will utilize microbial fermentation techniques to convert non-soy legume substrates into prototypes with industrial applicability. Through careful selection and optimization of microbial strains, we aim to achieve desirable sensory attributes.
• Nutritional Profiling
  • You will, in collaboration with experts at DTU Food, undertake comprehensive nutritional analyses to ensure that the new plant proteins fulfill essential dietary requirements. We aim to provide a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Sensory Evaluation:
  • You will assess sensory attributes and consumer preferences.
• Sustainability:
  • Sustainability forms the core of your project. You will evaluate the environmental impact of our products, considering factors such as biodiversity loss, water usage, land footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal is to contribute to a more sustainable food system.

The applicant must have experience within one or more of the above research fields. Experience within food innovation is preferable as well as some experience with teaching in this field.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior researcher Claus Heiner Bang-Berthelsen and Professor Egon Bech Hansen.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
Starting date is April 1, 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Egon Bech Hansen ([email protected], phone: +45 51713881).

You can read more about “the Department” at: https://www.food.dtu.dk/english/research/gut-microbes-and-health

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 29 January 2025 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

Adresse:

Henrik Dams Allé
2800 Kgs. Lyngby