PhD Scholarship within Chemistry and Biotechnology
Deadline: 20.10.2022
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.
About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) employs about 160 people. Currently about 50 PhD students are enrolled into our PhD program. KBM represents a broad range of scientific fields encompassing basic natural sciences such as microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the application of these towards food chemistry, technology and safety, biotechnology, bioprocessing and environmental issues. The Faculty is responsible for education, research and information within our fields of expertise and also has state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform research within these fields. KBM collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally.
We are seeking a PhD candidate with great interest for Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science.
About the position
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three year PhD–position related to chemistry and biotechnology, with the possibility of extension for up to one year if teaching and other work duties are agreed upon.
The current transition from an oil-based economy to a circular bioeconomy implies full utilization of processed biomass. Thus, the food industry is constantly working to improve processing of raw materials and side-streams, with the aim of full utilization and increasing profitability. The development of high-end products for food, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical purposes from food processing side-streams is an important part of this development. To achieve this, it is necessary to improve our understanding of how the raw material composition, processing parameters and choice of operations influence the products’ physiochemical properties. The overall aim of the PhD project is to develop novel processes and high-end product applications by the valorization of side-streams from the meat and seafood industry. Collagen and the respective product applications will constitute an important part of the project, and the development of analytical tools for understanding and optimizing biomass processing will be a central part of the work.
We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic candidate for a PhD within chemistry and biotechnology. The PhD project has a strong multidisciplinary profile containing elements from organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, spectroscopy, chemometrics, food science and others. Candidates that thrive and have experience working in a multidisciplinary environment are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. The position will be part of ongoing activities at both NMBU and Nofima with the purpose to develop novel technology to produce high-end products through valorization of protein-rich food processing side-streams. The work will be carried out at Ås, Norway, and the candidate will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team from NMBU, Nofima and relevant food industry partners.
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 program at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
Plan and perform process experiments using protein-rich side-streams from food industry.
Develop analytical tools for monitoring and controlling the processes.
Analyze obtained experimental data applying chemometrics.
Identify and leverage key physiochemical success factors.
Participate in meetings with research partners and industry.
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. Written and oral communication skills in a Scandinavian language will be emphasized. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Required Academic qualifications
MSc in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related area.
Experience from relevant laboratory work and experimental design.
Very good written and oral communication skills in English.
The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:
Very good written and oral communication skills in a Scandinavian language.
Experience with protein chemistry and bioprocessing.
Hands-on experience with infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
Experience with multivariate data analysis, statistics, optics, or food quality.
It is beneficial to have an interest and/or skills in programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python or R).
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 501.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Kenneth Aase Kristoffersen
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. 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.
Application deadline: 20.10.2022
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 following documents must be attached to the application:
Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
Please note that applications that lack a motivation letter clearly stating why the candidate is qualified and motivated for this project will be disregarded.
Complete CV
Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, 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.
