There is an increasing need for sustainable manufacturing, including reducing the need for energy and water demand. Cleaning In Place (CIP) is one of the most resource intensive process and has a a significant environmental impact, in terms of energy consumption (estimated at 20% of the total energy used in manufacturing), water usage and use of chemicals. There is a substantial risk in product quality and safety associated with reducing the intensity of CIP processes making optimization challenging. Monitoring tools and advanced data analytics at industrial scale provide an opportunity that can be augmented by using models. The position is for 2 years.

In the project we will aim to optimize Cleaning in Place (CIP) processes for membrane manufacturing. The work will investigate the fundamental mechanisms of cleaning at different scales and develop models that capture the underlying processes. Experiments will be undertaken at pilot and lab scale, to generate data under controlled conditions and support development of models. The project is in collaboration with industrial partners who will also provide manufacturing relevant data to further support model development.

The research will also benefit from the ongoing project, particularly through the integration of data-driven approaches.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for highly motivated candidates with an interest in Food Processing.

• a PhD (or soon-to-be PhD) in areas related to bioprocessing or food science
• Academic preparation as well as (proven) experience in membrane cleaning
• Strong programming skills in Python, R or Matlab
• Proven track record showing scientific productivity in peer reviewed journals (in relation to applicants’ career trajectory)
• Demonstrated capacity for effective teamwork
• Experience in supervising other researchers at different levels
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral

The following qualifications are highly preferred, but not required. Candidates who possess any of these qualifications are encouraged to highlight them in the application:

• Previous postdoc experience
• Experience in developing physics-based models for process engineering problems
• Experience in Process Analytical Technology

The postdoc’s duties will include research within food science as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation. Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Serafim Bakalis ([email protected])

The position is open from 1 December 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 1 October 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews will be held on the second week of October 2026.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Kontakt
Serafim Bakalis
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 01-10-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-12-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: FOOD