Postdoc position on circular and functional food packaging

This postdoctoral position offers the possibility to work in a creative, international and dynamic working environment at a leading technical university, and to generate knowledge and skills for a sustainable future.
You will be part of a multidisciplinary environment with competences in molecular biology, biochemistry and material sciences towards the use of natural resources for high value applications.
You will be part of a project with direct impact on a more sustainable food value chain in Europe.

Information about the research and division
Around one third of the world's food is lost or wasted every year. Food loss and waste has indeed become an issue of great public concern. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reflects the increased global awareness of the problem. Target 12.3 of the SDGs calls for a 50% reduction per capita of the global food waste at the retail and consumer levels, as well as reduction of food losses along the production and supply chains. To fight this issue, the use of food loss as biomass resource for the production of functional packaging is of a high impact in the European food market. This alternative and circular use of leftover biomass could solve food-related issues by the addition of bioactive and functional natural compounds that better preserve food, at the same time reducing the generation of food losses and food waste.

At the division of Industrial Biotechnology in the group of Assistant Prof. Amparo Jiménez Quero, you will be working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural group of researchers with a broad background in biomass utilization, from enzymatic degradation to molecular characterization of biomass polymers. The IndBio division and WWSC are very well equipped with laboratory infrastructure related to the project goals.

Major responsibilities
As postdoctoral researcher you will participate in the bioprocess design and development for the extraction of valuable compounds from food waste as additives in food packaging applications. The functionalities of the targeted compounds should increase the shelf life of the food to reduce waste at the end of the value chain ( e.g. via antioxidant, antimicrobial or mechanical improvement of packaging formulations). You will investigate the formulation and the material properties of the functional food packaging. The project may also encompass a comprehensive life cycle assessment for evaluating the environmental impact of the circular materials. Moreover, you will be involved in the co-supervision of master and PhD students and in the participation of research activities within the group.

Qualifications
The successful candidate must have a PhD degree in Biotechnology, Bioscience Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science or related disciplines. Laboratory experience in food packaging applications and competences in the use of bioprocesses for generation or modification of biomass compounds. Important for the position is to have a good track record of experience in multidisciplinary work. Good communication in written and spoken English is required.

To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers).

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

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 20230716 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Application deadline: 2024-01-12

 
For questions, please contact:

Prof Carl Johan Franzén, Head of division,
franzen@chalmers.se

Assistant Professor Amparo Jimenez-Quero,
amparo@chalmers.se


*** 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!