PhD in Ex situ and in situ quantification of structure-functional relationships in texturized novel protein sources

4 dagen geleden


Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

Your job

Are you interested in developing cutting-edge ex situ and in situ NMR/MRI measurement techniques for characterizing structure and texture formation in novel protein sources? Are you intrigued by how frontier ingredients, such as edible insects, can be processed into food ingredients and into our future food? Are you willing to pursue a career in academia? Within Wageningen University and Research, we have an open PhD position in the field of ex situ and in situ experimental quantification of structural-textural properties of novel protein sources.

This PhD project will take place at the Laboratory of Biophysics (BIP) and Food Quality and Design group (FQD) at WUR, and it aims at experimentally characterizing the extrusion-driven formation of complex food matrices based on protein-rich materials, both traditional and novel.

As a PhD candidate, you will

systematically explore how structure/texture formation in protein extrudates, produced with novel food sources alternative to animal proteins, is affected by the degree of pre-processing, the ratio of novel and traditional food ingredients, as well as by extrusion conditions; use, and/or further develop, frontier non-invasive NMR/MRI measurement techniques translatable from ex situ to in situ conditions . This is done to achieve a comprehensive characterization of extrusion-driven formation of hierarchical structural and textural properties in such materials; use high- and low-moisture both on a benchtop mini-extruder; work with edible insects as a novel protein source. Supporting information at the sample-scale will be provided by traditional, invasive, ex situ methods (texture analysis, bulk rheology etc). Where suitable, complementary ex situ and in situ small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering measurements will also be acquired at ISIS facility in the UK. NMR/MRI measurements will be conducted using state-of-the-art low- (0.4 T) and high-field (7 or 14 T) spectrometers available at the MAGNEtic resonance FacilitY (MAGNEFY) in WUR. Where needed, the worldwide most advanced ultra-high field NMR spectrometers (22 or 28 T) available within the Dutch uNMR-NL consortium will also be used to boost sensitivity and chemical/spatial resolution. All technical developments will be carried out with the support of the workshops at WUR and BIP.

Your duties and responsibilities include: conducting research (designing extrusion and measurement methods, collecting and processing experimental data, analyzing the results); writing scientific publications which will form the basis of your PhD dissertation; prepare and present scientific results to project group meetings and the broad scientific community; fulfil requirements of PhD program You will work here
Your research will be done in two groups: (BIP) and which are both part of Wageningen University and Research.

Your qualities

You are an ambitious and enthusiastic scientist.You have the following competencies and skills:

a successful completed MSc degree in Physical Chemistry, Physics, Food Science, Materials Science, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering; knowledge of (food) proteins, and their functional characteristics; research experience, or strong willingness to learn, extrusion, rheology, imaging experimental techniques, preferably NMR and MRI; familiarity with data processing and interpreting, preferably using Matlab and/or Python; you are critical thinker, problem solver, and have strong management skills; you have strong academic writing (evidence from your thesis and/or publications); excellent English for communication and writing scientific publications, ability to interact constructively with experts from different fields and technicians; For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 . Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

Partially paid parental leave; working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance; the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week; there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee; a fixed December bonus of 8.3%; excellent pension scheme. In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is 2.770 - per month rising to 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

  • Wageningen, Gelderland, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you interested in developing cutting-edge ex situ and in situ NMR/MRI measurement techniques for characterizing structure and texture formation in novel protein sources? Are you intrigued by how frontier ingredients, such as edible insects, can be processed into food ingredients and into our future food? Are you willing to pursue a career...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job We have two PhD vacancies at Wageningen University to study the creation of fibrous products as a basis for the next-generation plant based meat analogues (PBMA). Reduction of meat consumption benefits both the planet and society. Current plant-based meat analogues do not fully convince consumers, among others due to a lack of attractive...


  • Wageningen, Gelderland, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job We have two PhD vacancies at Wageningen University to study the creation of fibrous products as a basis for the next-generation plant based meat analogues (PBMA). Reduction of meat consumption benefits both the planet and society. Current plant-based meat analogues do not fully convince consumers, among others due to a lack of attractive...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you a talented aspiring researcher interested in integrating physics with food technology? Would you like to contribute to the sustainable protein transition while working with state-of-the-art techniques? Were looking for a PhD candidate who is keen to explore the intricate dynamics of microstructure formation in plant protein gels, and...


  • Wageningen, Gelderland, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you a talented aspiring researcher interested in integrating physics with food technology? Would you like to contribute to the sustainable protein transition while working with state-of-the-art techniques? Were looking for a PhD candidate who is keen to explore the intricate dynamics of microstructure formation in plant protein gels, and to...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job We are looking for a PhD candidate with an interest in analytical biochemistry and bioinformatics for a project on breast milk protein and peptide composition and its relation to infant health. Breastfeeding is known to be important for healthy development of infants. One of the many benefits of breastfeeding is the protection against...

  • PhD position in HybridLabs

    4 weken geleden


    Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you interested in integration of offshore energy and seafood production and potential biodiversity benefits? If yes, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you! Scientific context Increasing demand for sustainable energy production is leading to rising numbers of offshore structures for renewable energy production. At the same...

  • PhD position in HybridLabs

    3 weken geleden


    Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you interested in integration of offshore energy and seafood production and potential biodiversity benefits? If yes, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you! Scientific context Increasing demand for sustainable energy production is leading to rising numbers of offshore structures for renewable energy production. At the same...


  • Wageningen, Gelderland, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    With the world's population projected to exceed nine billion by 2050, challenges arise in food production and security. Traditional practices like livestock farming and fishing are seen as unsustainable due to their resource-intensive nature and negative environmental impacts. Hence, there is a growing demand for innovative and sustainable food production...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    **Are you a motivated and curious individual with a strong interest in remote sensing, plant ecology, land change monitoring, vegetation dynamics and tree diversity? Do you have an MSc degree in geo-information science, remote sensing, ecology, forestry, nature conservation, data science or a similar relevant field, and are you proficient in programming with...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    With the world’s population predicted to surpass nine billion by 2050, substantial challenges emerge regarding food production and security. Traditional practices such as livestock farming and fishing are deemed unsustainable due to their resource-intensive nature and adverse environmental effects. Therefore, there is an ever-growing need for innovative...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job The Behavioural Ecology group at Wageningen Universoty and Research is offering a 4 year PhD Position (1.0 FTE) to undertake research on the functional consequences of hybridisation in sea turtles within the Behavioural Ecology chair group at Wageningen University in collaboration with the Animal Breeding and Genomics chair group and Sea...


  • Wageningen, Gelderland, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Are you a motivated and curious individual with a strong interest in remote sensing, plant ecology, land change monitoring, vegetation dynamics and tree diversity? Do you have an MSc degree in geo-information science, remote sensing, ecology, forestry, nature conservation, data science or a similar relevant field, and are you proficient in programming with...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you passionate about the future of sustainable food production and eager to contribute to the fast-developing field of cellular agriculture? We are seeking a mission-driven individual to join our team as a PhD candidate in Precision Fermentation, with a focus on Process Development and Intensification. With the worlds population...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you passionate about the future of sustainable food production and eager to contribute to the fast-developing field of cellular agriculture? We are seeking a mission-driven individual to join our team as a PhD candidate in Precision Fermentation, with a focus on Process Development and Intensification. With the worlds population...


  • Wageningen, Gelderland, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you passionate about the future of sustainable food production and eager to contribute to the fast-developing field of cellular agriculture? We are seeking a mission-driven individual to join our team as a PhD candidate in Precision Fermentation, with a focus on Process Development and Intensification. With the worlds population predicted...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    **_Do you have a background in Coordination Chemistry, Homogeneous Catalysis or a related field? Are you ready to tame highly reactive Ru(0) to use it for chiral catalysis to change the way how organic chemists build molecules? Are you knowledgeable, ambitious and not afraid of a challenge?_** **_Then this vacancy can be just right for you! _** We have a...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you a motivated and curious individual with a strong interest in remote sensing, plant ecology, land change monitoring, vegetation dynamics and tree diversity? Do you have an MSc degree in geo-information science, remote sensing, ecology, forestry, nature conservation, data science or a similar relevant field, and are you proficient in...


  • Wageningen, Gelderland, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job Are you a motivated and curious individual with a strong interest in remote sensing, plant ecology, land change monitoring, vegetation dynamics and tree diversity? Do you have an MSc degree in geo-information science, remote sensing, ecology, forestry, nature conservation, data science or a similar relevant field, and are you proficient in...


  • Wageningen, Nederland Wageningen University & Research Voltijd

    Your job We are looking for an ambitious PhD student with great interest in fermentation and food safety. The project, funded by NWO, aims to valorise vegetable side-streams into food products through fermentation to reduce food waste and achieve a more sustainable food system. You will design the fermentation strategy such that microorganisms convert...