Doctoral researcher in Food Materials Science, MSCA Doctoral Network Full-time NEW

Doctoral Researcher In Food Materials Science

Doctoral researcher in Food Materials Science: Aerogels for Oral Lubrication – part of a MSCA Doctoral Network on FAroGels – Food-Grade Aerogels for Sustainable Food Systems Department of Food and Nutrition of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Finland, invites applications for a Doctoral researcher, FAroGels MSCA Doctoral Network. Within the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA), University of Helsinki is offering a PhD fellowship for a Doctoral Candidate (DC), starting 1 March 2027 or as soon as possible hereafter. A position is for 36 months and is funded by the FAroGels MSCA Doctoral Network.

About the MSCA project FAroGels – Food-Grade Aerogels for Sustainable Food Systems is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe. The network brings together academic and non-academic partners with complementary expertise in food science and technology, materials science, biopolymer science, biotechnology, process engineering, analytical characterization, packaging and sustainable innovation. FAroGels aims to develop, characterize and validate food-grade, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems. The network will investigate how these highly porous materials can support more efficient food processing, improved food quality and safety, nutritional and sensory functionality, protection and delivery of bioactive compounds, and sustainable packaging solutions.

What We Offer? A full-time doctoral position funded through the FAroGels MSCA Doctoral Network. A fixed-term employment contract for a maximum of 36 months at University of Helsinki. A competitive salary and employment conditions in accordance with the MSCA Doctoral Networks funding provisions, applicable national legislation and the policies of the University of Helsinki. The University of Helsinki offers a comprehensive range of employee benefits and services (Our University of Helsinki and work culture | University of Helsinki). Supervision by experienced academic researchers and, where applicable, co-supervisors and/or industrial supervisors. Access to research facilities, infrastructure, training and support services at University of Helsinki and within the FAroGels network. Participation in a structured doctoral training programme including scientific and technical training, transferable skills, career development and innovation-oriented activities. Planned secondments at FAroGels partner organizations, offering complementary scientific, technical and cross-sectoral experience. An international research environment and opportunities to build a professional network across academia and non-academic organizations.

Funding Duration and PhD Completion This Doctoral Candidate position is funded by the FAroGels MSCA Doctoral Network for a maximum period of 36 months. Note : Any employment, scholarship or other financial support beyond the 36-month FAroGels funding period is not covered or guaranteed by FAroGels. MSCA Doctoral Network Eligibility Criteria Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. At the date of recruitment, applicants must meet the following MSCA Doctoral Network requirements: Doctoral candidate status: Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible. Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. PhD enrolment: The appointee should either already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki by the start of the appointment or apply for the right and obtain it within the probationary period of six months of their appointment. If the appointee does not already have the right to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki, it must be applied for separately, please see How to apply to doctoral programmes | University of Helsinki Visa and residence permit: a visa or residence/work permit is not required at the application stage and is not a selection criterion. Where needed, it will be arranged after selection and before the start of employment, with the support of the recruiting organisation. Candidates from non-EU countries are equally welcome to apply.

The workplace of the position is in Helsinki, Finland. About the open PhD position (DC#14) at University of Helsinki, Finland The selected candidate will be employed by University of Helsinki and will be required to enroll as a PhD student at University of Helsinki, in accordance with the relevant admission and enrolment requirements. The doctoral project will focus on understanding how dietary-fibre aerogels/cryogels can be designed as functional porous and moisture-responsive materials for food applications, including the modulation of texture and mouthfeel. The key scientific challenge is to elucidate how fibre-network organisation, pore-network connectivity, swelling behaviour, pore size distribution, and network integrity govern moisture responsiveness, structural rearrangement, and mechanical response under food-processing and oral conditions. The research will combine material design with multiscale characterisation to establish structure-function relationships. Different approaches will be used to develop dietary-fibre aerogels/cryogels with tailored pore-network architecture and hydration properties. Particular attention will be given to how fibre characteristics and network organisation determine their response to moisture and mechanical stress. The doctoral researcher will gain experience with a range of advanced characterisation and experimental approaches, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), phase-enhanced synchrotron X-ray microtomography (XMT), Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Dynamic Vapour Sorption (DVS), and micropipette aspiration. The project will also involve advanced oral tribology using model interfaces such as PDMS-saliva and porcine tongue, in-contact fluorescence imaging, and sensory evaluation in model and real food matrices. These complementary approaches will be used to establish links between material architecture, environmental responsiveness, and functionality in food systems. The PhD researcher will also be expected to develop experience beyond the core laboratory work through research visits and training with collaborating groups, including opportunities in the UK and Germany within the secondments planned for the candidate. These activities will provide experience in advanced characterisation, aerogelation, and the translation of fundamental findings into food applications. This Doctoral Candidate is expected to add an oral-processing dimension to FAroGels, providing next-generation materials that complement sensory control and align with the structural innovations. The position will involve laboratory-based research, data analysis, scientific communication and close collaboration with other FAroGels Doctoral Candidates, supervisors and partner organizations.

Main Responsibilities: The Doctoral Candidate will be expected to: Conduct research on material science and food technology. Plan, perform, document and analyse experimental work using relevant laboratory, analytical, processing and/or modelling methods. Participate actively in FAroGels network meetings, workshops, training schools, seminars and transferable-skills activities. Undertake planned secondments at FAroGels partner organisations, as specified for the DC project. Work collaboratively with academic and non-academic partners across the FAroGels network. Prepare scientific reports, project deliverables, presentations, publications and, where relevant, other dissemination or exploitation-related outputs.

Requirements Educational Background : Master's degree (or equivalent) in food technology, materials science, chemistry, biomaterials, or polymer science. Skills : Strong laboratory and analytical skills, with experience in experimental characterisation and quantitative analysis of soft, porous or hydrated materials. We are looking for a curious and proactive researcher with strong scientific thinking, a genuine enthusiasm for learning, and the confidence to explore unfamiliar methods and challenges. The ability and motivation to work across disciplines, learn independently, and pursue new ideas are highly valued. Languages : Proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required. Strong motivation to pursue doctoral research in an international and interdisciplinary environment. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative research activities. Good organization, communication and problem-solving skills. Willingness to travel for planned secondments, network meetings and training activities. Commitment to responsible research conduct, inclusion, collegiality and professional development.

Salary and Financial Package This position is funded by the FAroGels MSCA Doctoral Network (HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01, Grant Agreement No. 101312450). The salary is based on the following monthly MSCA allowances: Living allowance : EUR 4,010, adjusted by the country correction coefficient of the country of the recruiting organisation to ensure equal treatment and comparable purchasing power for all researchers (CCC of Finland = 118.0%). Mobility allowance : EUR 710, contributing to mobility-related costs such as relocation and travel. Family allowance (if applicable): EUR 660, paid for the months in which the Doctoral Candidate has a family during the project, including where family obligations arise after recruitment. 'Family' means persons linked to the researcher by marriage (or a relationship with equivalent status recognised by the legislation of the country where it was formalised) or dependent children actually being maintained by the researcher. The allowance is paid in accordance with the rules of the recruiting organisation, and supporting documents may be requested. Please note: the amounts above represent the total employment cost, from which the employer's and the employee's compulsory social-security contributions and taxes are deducted in accordance with national law. Unless the recruiting organisation provides additional funding, the gross salary paid to the Doctoral Candidate is therefore lower than these amounts, and the net salary depends on personal circumstances.