PhD scholarship within spore control in dairy processing
Deadline: 19.05.2026
Publisert
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About the position
At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Department of Paraclinical Sciences, there is a vacant PhD-position in Microbiology for the duration of 3 years.
We are seeking an ambitious candidate who wants to work at the interface of food safety microbiology, biophysics, and industrial process engineering. The PhD candidate will be based at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at NMBU and join the interdisciplinary Spore Team, led by Professor Aspholm at NMBU and Magnus Andersson at Umeå University, Sweden, in a research environment combining strong fundamental science with close industrial relevance.
Bacterial spores are among the most resistant biological structures known and represent one of the most persistent microbiological challenges in dairy production. Spores can survive processing steps designed to eliminate microbial contaminants and contribute to spoilage, reduced shelf life, and foodborne illness. While spores have traditionally been viewed as dormant survival forms, recent findings from our team challenge this paradigm by showing that spores can actively adhere to surfaces and contribute to biofilm formation through specialized surface structures, including the exosporium and endospore appendages (ENAs). This shift from spores as passive survivors to active drivers of persistence opens new opportunities for mechanistic, targeted strategies for spore control.
A central control step in dairy processing is bactofugation using high speed separators (centrifugal separation), yet its efficiency can vary due to the inconsistent level of incoming spores and strict regulations on the low number of spores in the final product.
This PhD project will develop mechanistic understanding of how spore surface architecture, physicochemical properties, size distributions, and density govern interactions with milk components, influence separation behavior during industrial centrifugal separation (bactofugation), and shape microbial persistence on processing equipment. The outcomes will provide a foundation for more robust and predictable spore control and hygiene strategies, supporting both food safety and sustainability by reducing product loss, energy use, and water consumption.
The project is highly interdisciplinary and combines microbiology with advanced experimental and analytical approaches, including cryo-electron microscopy, optical and biophysical methods, omics technologies, and computational modelling. The candidate will collaborate closely with Umeå University (Sweden) and Alfa Laval (Stockholm, Sweden), including planned research stays to access specialized infrastructure and industrial pilot-scale validation. The PhD candidate will also be affiliated with the Microbiology Matters (MiMa) PhD School, focusing on One Health and infectious diseases.
The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
We look forward to your application. Join us to unravel the secrets of spore persistence and transform the future of dairy safety and sustainability.
Main tasks
Plan and conduct laboratory experiments to characterize bacterial spores and their interactions with milk components using advanced microscopy and analytical methods
Apply advanced analytical and microscopy methods to study spore interactions and persistence during processing
Evaluate spore behavior during dairy processing through laboratory-scale and pilot plant experiments
Process research data and publish findings as scientific publications and a PhD thesis
Present and discuss research at internal seminars, workshops, and international conferences
Participate in the educational component of the PhD program, including completion of required coursework.
The successful candidate is expected to enroll in an approved PhD program, and the work will be organized with the goal of completing a PhD degree during the period of employment.
Competence
To be eligible for the position, the candidate must meet the requirements for admission to one of the PhD programmes at NMBU.
The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to demonstrate proficiency in English,both written and spoken. For more detailed information about the admission criteria, PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
Required qualifications
Relevant academic education at a higher degree level from a university or college (a master's degree in biophysics, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology degree, cand.med.vet.-degree, or an equivalent qualification.”).
Experience with laboratory work
Documented strong academic results.
Documented proficiency in English, both written and spoken
Applicants completing their degree during spring 2026 may also apply but cannot assume the position until the degree has been completed.
Qualifications considered an advantage
A strong microbiology foundation
Experience with microbiological and molecular methods
Experience with handling large datasets and using R and bioinformatics tools
Experience with modeling methods and willing to learn new numerical modeling skills
Academic education within biophysics and/or bioinformatics
Personal qualities
Strong interest in scientific research and in the scientific scope of the project
Strong analytical skills
Ability to take initiative
Strong interest in learning new skills
Ability to work systematically and efficiently, both independently and as part of a team
Good communication and collaboration skills
Motivation for industry collaboration
Willingness to work interdisciplinary, and build a broad knowledge base in different fields
Personal suitability will be emphasized.
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD. Fellow, (NOK 550.800 – 660.000). This is a temporary position with a duration of 3 years. Seniority promotion in the position.
Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD scholarship position.
The research work will be associated with the SPORE NANOFIBER project, Norwegian Research Council (33529)
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars, and in accordance with the Civil Servant Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act.
This position is a training/educational position. Grant-funded travel abroad should be expected.
Interested in learning more about the position? We are happy to tell you more about life on campus. Contact Professor Marina Aspholm, phone: +47 93288266, (e-mail: marina.aspholm@nmbu.no).
Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form. Applications that are not submitted electronically through Jobbnorge by the deadline will not be considered.
Application Deadline: 19.05.2026
Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.
In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process. Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
The Faculty of Veterinary medicine has its own webpage about requirements for applicants with foreign education: Utenlandsk utdanning | NMBU
The following documents must be attached to the application:
Motivation letter
CV
Certified copies of relevant academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.
Names and contact information for two references.
About the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at NMBU is Norway’s only veterinary educational institution. We offer comprehensive expertise in veterinary medicine and veterinary public health. Our faculty educates veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and doctoral candidates in veterinary science, and conduct research in veterinary medicine and related biomedical disciplines. We have 500 students and 430 employees.
The faculty consists of the following departments: Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, and Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences. We also operate the University Animal Hospital, which is closely integrated with our educational and research activities. The hospital receives patients from across Norway.
