PhD student position in Food and Nutrition Science

Information about the research/the project/the division
Biology and Biological Engineering has four divisions; Food and Nutrition Science, Systems and Synthetic Biology, Industrial Biotechnology and Chemical Biology. A new PhD-student position is now vacant at Food and Nutrition Science with connection also to other departments in Chalmers. The research at Food and Nutrition science focus on nutritional solutions for disease prevention by studies on the molecular, cellular, and whole-body level. We also center on research that aims to promote high food quality, minimize losses throughout the value chain and to utilize alternative sources for production of nutrients. To this end, projects address e.g. the development of methods for adding value to underutilized marine raw materials, improvement of nutritional and sensory properties in fish, algae, cereals, fruits and greens, as well as the link between food processing and technical functionality, bioactivity, digestibility as well as bioavailability of food compounds. We also study the active response to food compounds in human cell models and animal models, and conduct human studies in collaboration with the medical faculty. Food and Nutrition science currently consists of approximately 35 people with varying backgrounds within fields such as chemistry, biology, biotechnology and nutrition.

Major responsibilities
This PhD-project is part of the new project "Preventing blood from destroying key characteristics of seafood", funded by Formas. Partners in the project are the division of Food and Nutrition Science within the Department of Biology and Biological Engineering at Chalmers and the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Gothenburg University. The project will also collaborate with the fish processing industry and transfusion medicine experts. The project will allow for more sustainable use of seafood raw materials like small pelagic fish species and fish filleting by-products which today suffer from fast lipid oxidation and discoloration after catch/harvest due to blood and other heme containing substances left in the tissue. The fast quality degradation currently limits the use of such raw materials for human consumption. The PhD-student will focus on development of innovative blood removal strategies that goes beyond classic bleeding. New knowledge on e.g. fish blood coagulation, lysis of erythrocytes and oxidation of the hemoglobin molecule will aid in this development. Both in vitro experiments using isolated blood/erythrocytes, and in situ experiments will be used to evaluate different methods to protect the raw material. Results could have large applications within the aquaculture and fish processing industry.

The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers´ undergraduate level and/or performing other duties corresponding to ~10 - 20 per cent of full time. 

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position, the applicant must hold a Master's level degree in BioScience, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or similar. Fluent English in writing and speaking, strong communication analytical skills are also required. Completed courses on MSc level within Food Science, Analytical chemistry, Zoophysiology, and/or Haematology are meritorious. The same is true for experience from work with seafood, fish muscle, (marine) lipids, lipid oxidation and haematology.

The applicant should be curious, goal oriented, cooperation minded, and keen on transferring theoretic and applied academic work into practice.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application deadline: 10 March, 2017

For questions, please contact:
Ingrid Undeland, Food and Nutriton Science, undeland@chalmers.se, +46 31 772 38 20
Michael Axelsson, michael.axelsson@bioenv.gu.se, Phone: 46 (0)31-786 36 89 



*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***