Postdoc in Microscopy of Food Materials

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A postdoc position working at the interface between bioimaging, food science and biophysics is available the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in Odense. Employment can take place from 1 January 2022 or soon thereafter. Application deadline: 1 November 2021.

The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science, SDU and is located in Odense. The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is a department focused on basic research. We are happy to move beyond traditional disciplines and work to develop new technologies and sciences across physics, chemistry, pharmacy, mathematics, computer science and biology. The department’s research thus contributes to new knowledge and solutions with applications in the areas of climate, environment, energy and health.

The department has a strong chemistry programme with leading international researchers within Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Green Chemistry and Computational Chemistry. In addition to the chemical research programme the department has a strong research profile within Pharmaceutical Technology.

The successful candidate will work on a project focused on the microstructural basis of product stability in novel food types containing dairy and non-dairy ingredients.

The project is interdisciplinary and explorative and will develop new sample types, original use of microscopy tools and implementation/development of image analysis methods in conjunction with concepts from food science. The main focus will be to establish a relationship between micro and nanostructure of food materials and their physical stability, and to develop a toolbox based on microscopy. The project is performed as a collaboration between a university (SDU) and two partners from the food industry: Arla Foods and IFF Denmark. Employment and main workplace will be at SDU, Odense, Denmark.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with the following qualifications:

• A strong experimental background (PhD) in soft matter, biophysics, physical chemistry, food physics, bioimaging or a related discipline.
• Competence to perform high-quality experimental research at the interface between bioimaging, food science and biophysics. The candidate should be both creative and systematic, able to propose and design relevant experiments and to work independently.  
• Experience with advanced microscopy (e.g. confocal or AFM) and image analysis.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (English) for effective teamwork in the project group.

The successful candidate will get access to state-of-the-art microscope and biophysics facilities at SDU (dambic.dk) plus laboratories at the companies' R&D facilities.

The postdoc position is for up to three years. Candidates are requested to motivate their interest in the position and to include two letters of recommendation or alternatively references that can be contacted.
For further information please contact Associate Professor Adam Cohen Simonsen ([email protected]).

Application, salary etc.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The application must include the following:
• A curriculum vitae including information on previous employment.
• A full list of publications stating the scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a PhD or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.