BASIC INFORMATION
Title: Food Circular Bioeconomy: Development of novel food ingredients from food by-products through advanced physical technologies
Organization: University of Lleida and Agrotecnio Research Center
Department: Food Technology, Engineering and Science
City: Lleida Country: Spain Address: Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191. E-25198
Website: https://dtecal.udl.cat/en/, https://agrotecnio.org/research-groups/novel-technologies-for-food-processing/
e-mail: pedro.elez@udl.cat
Research field: Food Science, Technology and Engineering as well as Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Research profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Type of contract: Temporary Job status: Full time Hours per week: 37.5 Period: 3 years
Gross salary: 22,590.67 € for 1st and 2nd years, 23,956.66 € for 3rd
Application deadline: 05/10/2023, 23:59 h Europe/Brussels
Offer starting date: 01/05/2024
Offer Description
The Research Group in Novel Technologies for Food Processing of the University of Lleida -Agrotecnio CERCA Center looks for a candidate to apply for a First Stage Researcher (R1) contract call to carry out the PhD thesis within the framework of the CINGRETECH project. This is a project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Strategic Projects Aimed at Ecological Transition and Digital Transition, Projects Call 2021, project TED2021-131828B-I00). The title of the project is “Obtaining new food ingredients based on dietary fiber from fruit by-products enhanced by advanced physical processing technologies”.
Specifically, this project proposes the application of advanced physical technologies for food processing (pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, microfluidization, extrusion, and their combination) with the aim of modifying the structural, physicochemical and functional properties of by-products from fruits in order to obtain ingredients rich in soluble dietary fiber that can be used in the formulation of new foods, thus reducing food waste. The project is split in three phases. In the first place, it is proposed to evaluate the potential of each technology to induce changes in the properties of fruit dietary fiber concentrates. In a second phase, ingredients rich in soluble dietary fiber will be obtained through the application of selected physical treatments to by-products from the industrialization of fruits. Finally, the impact of the incorporation of the ingredients obtained into formulated liquid foods will be evaluated.
This contract offers the possibility of starting a scientific career with one of the world's leading research groups in Novel Technologies for Food Processing. The Novel Technologies for Food Processing research group has internationally recognized and highly cited members, which have published more than 400 research articles in high impact journals, so far. The group has a strong background in PhD candidate training, with more than 20 PhD dissertations in the last 10 years, and 9 ongoing PhD thesis.
The doctoral thesis will be developed in the frame of the Doctorate Program in Agricultural and Food Science and Technology of the University of Lleida. The program obtained Mention of Quality (MCD2007-00037) in 2007, followed by the mention of excellence in 2011, which has been accredited in 2022.
REQUIREMENTS
Skills / Qualifications
The candidates need to have a Master's Degree (300 ECTS, comprising Bachelor's and Master's studies). The Master's degree must have been accomplished after 1st January 2021.
The preferred BSc and MSc are Food Science and Technology, Food Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
Specific requirements
Official Master Degree in the areas described above.
The grade point average of the candidate's BSc and MSc academic records must be equal to or higher than 7.0 (scale from 1 to 10).
Please, note that different rules may apply for the calculation of the mark for applicants who have completed their studies in foreign universities. In this case, the minimum grade point average must be calculated in accordance with the declaration of equivalencies of the average grade of the academic record provided by the current resolutions of the Spanish Ministry of Universities (https://universidades.sede.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/Equivalencia_notas_medias/language/en).
Knowledge and experience in Food Science, Technology and Engineering as well as in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Human Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as scientific papers, contributions to congresses and previous research contracts and scholarships will be valued.
Highly motivated candidates are encouraged.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Benefits
One-year full time contract, renewable up to 3 years to complete the PhD. The gross salary for the first and second years is 22,590.67 € and 23,956.66 for the third year.
A complementary grant of 3,000 € for training activities, stays in research entities and attendance at conferences.
The costs of the direction, supervision and continuous evaluation of the doctoral thesis during the validity of the different annuities of the grant are covered.
Working in a leading research group on Novel Technologies for Food Processing.
Eligibility criteria
The academic CV of the candidates will be assessed in detail. Excellent grades will be valued, together with having followed subjects related to the PhD topic.
Motivation, initiative, autonomous work and team-working abilities will be valued.
Selection process
The application consists of two steps.
First, an internal filter will be made by the research group to check the fulfillment of the access requirements, as well as analyze the adequacy of the background and expertise regarding the research subject.
Second, the application to the contract call by the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR): https://agaur.gencat.cat/en/beques-i-ajuts/convocatories-per-temes/Ajuts-Joan-Oro-per-a-la-contractacio-de-personal-investigador-predoctoral-en-formacio-FI-2024. Deadline: October 10th
Additional comments
Interested candidates should submit an application letter (single pdf-file preferred) to Prof. Dr. Pedro Elez-Martinez (pedro.elez@udl.cat) including:
- Updated CV
- Academic record with grades and qualifications of all subjects (BSc and MSc). Academic record with Spanish equivalences for applicants who have completed their studies out of Spain.
- Letter of interest/motivation
Application letters not including the Bachelor and Master Degree’s average grades will be automatically discarded.
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