Postdoc in Food Science - Blue Biorefinery and aquatic proteins

We offer a two-year postdoctoral position where you will be working on biorefining of aquatic biomasses, including seafood side streams. You will develop fractionation processes on lab scale, and analyse quality of generated protein, lipid and chitosan fractions on a micro and macro level. Further, you will be involved in testing the developed technologies on pilot scale. As a post doctoral researcher you will work at the division of Food and Nutrition Science and in close collaboration with industry.

Information about the research
Global seafood supply chains suffer harshly from inefficiency as roughly 25% of the total landed aquatic resource weight end up as processing by-products, mostly going to feed, but someties even to waste. Sweden ranks below the global average regarding use of fish/shellfish resources, and only 17% of our total landed biomass ends up on our plates! The VINNOVA funded project BlueBio aims to address this issue and bring together researchers, need owners and technology suppliers to develop and demonstrate a blue biorefinery platform to upcycle seafood by-products and small pelagic fish into multiple high value food ingredients such as proteins, fish oils, marine collagens and chitin as a holistic approach for increasing resource efficiency and value in the seafood chain.

Information about the Department
The Department of Biology and Biological Engineering is aiming at bridging cutting edge life science research with biochemical engineering, in order to emerge as the leading innovation center in the region. The research has broad applications in areas of health and industrial production of e.g. fine chemicals, food and energy. The department offers highly qualified education for engineering students within the area of bioengineering. It is furthermore collaborating in broad, interdiciplinary national and international networks within academia and the industry.

The division of Food and Nutrition Science is one of four research divisions at the Department of Biology and Biological Engineering. Food and Nutrition Science is one of the leading units in the area in Sweden with particular strengths in nutritional and computational metabolomics, dietary biomarkers, micronutrient metal nutrition, nutritional immunology, marine food science and nutrition as well as food by-product biorefining and protein technology. The division focuses on nutritional solutions for health and disease prevention by studies on the molecular, cellular, and whole-body level. It also has a strong focus on sustainable use of food raw materials and on many different quality aspects of food.

Major responsibilities
Carry out research within the BlueBio-project with specific focus on to develop and demonstrate a blue biorefinery platform in pilot scale to upcycle seafood by-products and small pelagic fish into multiple high value products e.g. proteins, fish oils, marine collagens and chitin as a holistic approach for increasing resource efficiency in seafood chain. You will be responsible for experimental planning, practical work, sample collection, data handling, writing of publications and communications of results within the project. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
- You must have a doctoral degree in food technology, chemistry, bioprocessing, seafood science, food chemistry, protein technology or similar.
- You need experience of working with aquatic biomasses and seafood side streams or their biorefinery.
- Experience of working with protein extraction as well as its functionality and stability analysis is advantageous.
- Knowledge on process engineering and upscaling or process validation in pilot scale is advantageous.

- Excellent communication skill in English, and proven record of scientific article writing.
- An ability to work independently as well as in teams and take responsibility for the progress of the project.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210569 and written in English. 

Learn more and apply on Chalmers website: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10035&rmlang=UK

Application deadline: 2 January, 2022

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



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!