Licentiate student, Agricultural Sciences

Department of Plant Breeding
At the Department of Plant Breeding, our vision is that our work shall make significant contributions to an efficient and sustainable production of food, feed and industrial products from plants. The Department has various research groups performing cutting-edge research and development in areas of Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Horticulture and Plant Product Quality. At the Plant Product Quality Division, our research is focused on food production, horticulture and biobased material. We are also interested in using side-streams from different production lines, including food processing, to get higher-value added products that can be used in the pharmacological, food, chemical and packaging industry. The department operates at the SLU Alnarp campus. As an integrated part of our activities, we have active public breeding programs on apple and potato, targeting Northern Europe.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

 Description:
Functional new fibrous materials from biopolymers

Natural polymers derived from plants, such as potato starch and wheat gluten proteins, are of particular interest for use as raw materials in the production of bio-based plastics for application in fibrous and absorbent materials. Wheat gluten protein and its components, gliadin and glutenin, have been used to create bio-based films, foams, fibers and sheets for a variety of purposes. Modified potato starch is a unique raw material with chemical and structural properties for use in materials applications. Fiber electrospinning process is a unique and cost effective method to produce fibrous materials from natural polymers

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to conduct research studies towards a Licentiate degree in a new project focused on the production of biobased fibrous materials derived from plant proteins and starch. Student will build on results from the previous work to improve the functional properties of electrospun fibers from protein and starch. The Licentiate candidate will be involved in the work of optimization of electrospinning processing of wheat protein (including gliadins and glutenins) and modified potato starch, and composites of different kinds, with an aim to produce fibers and characterize their properties for various industrial applications. The research student will also be involved in communication and publication of the results from the project.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate should hold a Master’s degree in Materials sciences or Agriculture Sciences, Biochemistry or related field. In the duration of the project, the selected candidate will be working with electrospinning of proteins and starch, therefore, prior knowledge of electrospinning technique and plant protein biochemistry will be a merit. The knowledge of material characterization techniques will be highly valued. Candidate should be fluent in spoken and written English, and have good communication skills. The candidate will be part of a research group and is expected to positively contribute to a group environment, and have an ability to work well independently.

Place of work:      
Alnarp

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (2 years) 

Starting date:
According to agreement. 

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 2023-02-28.

To qualify for third-cycle (Doctoral) courses and study programmes, you must have a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification. Alternatively, you must have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time study, of which a minimum of one year at second-cycle level.

Applicants will be selected based on their written application and CV, degree project, copies of their degree certificate and transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution, two personal references, and knowledge of English. More information about the English language requirements can be found here: www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/new-doctoral-students/english-language-requirements/

Please note that applicants invited to interview must submit attested copies of their degree certificate, a transcript of records from previous first and second-cycle studies at a university or higher education institution. Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se