Doctoral researcher in niacin research, MSCA Doctoral Network Full-time

Doctoral Researcher In Niacin Research, MSCA Doctoral Network

Doctoral researcher in niacin research – part of a MSCA Doctoral Network on micronutrients in sustainable and nutritious diet

Department of Food and Nutrition of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry invites applications for a Doctoral researcher, MICROSUNSET 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 September 2026 or as soon as possible hereafter. A position is for 36 months and is funded by the MICROSUNSET MSCA Doctoral Network.

MICROSUNSET is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) funded by the European Union, in which we have 12 open positions for Doctoral Candidates (DCs). We aim to create a network of early-stage researchers equipped with knowledge and skills – including entrepreneurship –to develop and support implementation strategies that address micronutrient deficiencies in Europe as diets shift toward more plant-based foods. For MICROSUNSET we will recruit 12 highly talented DCs, whose collective research will focus on bio-accessibility and bioavailability of micronutrients, and strategies to produce and process plant-based foods with enhanced concentration of micronutrients as an integrative part of sustainable and healthy diets. Development of analytical methods, digestion models, dietary modelling, and conducting consumer surveys will form part of the Doctoral Network's tasks.

The 12 PhD candidates will be based across seven different universities in Europe: four in Denmark (three at the Technical University of Denmark and one at the University of Copenhagen), two in Germany (Technical University of Munich), one in the Netherlands (Wageningen University), one in Ireland (University College Cork), two in the United Kingdom (University of Newcastle upon Tyne), and two in Finland (University of Helsinki). To be eligible for a MICROSUNSET PhD-position, you must not have lived, studied, or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the last 36 months, and must not already hold a doctoral degree.

Are you interested in becoming part of MICROSUNSET and building a strong foundation for a successful research career? The Department of Food and Nutrition at the University of Helsinki is looking for highly skilled and motivated applicants for a PhD scholarship focused on the available niacin in plant-based foods. You will join the research group “Food quality and safety: lipids, vitamins and other bioactive compounds” and work across the fields of food chemistry, food technology and nutrition.

The primary objective of the PhD project is to investigate the availability of niacin in plant-based foods, with a particular focus on legume-based products. The work will involve the quantification of available niacin and the potential bound forms of niacin by employing a combination of hydrolyses and structure identification using LC-MS. Additionally, the impact of bioprocessing of niacin will be examined, and the bioaccessibility of niacin in different food products will be assessed using a static in vitro digestion model. The research is expected to yield new insights into approaches to enhance the availability of niacin in the transition towards more plant-based diets.

Throughout the project, you will collaborate with other Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in the MICROSUNSET consortium to contribute to generating evidence-based knowledge about micronutrient content, intake, digestibility and bioavailability from plant-based diets.

Part of the PhD study is planned as external stay at:

• Valio (Helsinki, Finland) for one month to learning legume fermentation in an industrial scale, investigate the effect of bioprocessing and gain insight to R&I, markets and consumer preferences
• DTU (Copenhagen, Denmark) for five months to investigate niacin in fermentation

The primary goal of this PhD project is to investigate the enhancement of niacin in plant-based foods, to support a healthier future European population.

As part of your research, you will:

• Enrol in a relevant Doctoral Programme at the University of Helsinki and comply with its doctoral training requirements
• Participate actively in the MICROSUNSET training (12 ECTS), dissemination, communication and exploitation activities.
• Conduct high-quality research under supervision of a diverse scientific team
• Publish and present research results in international conference proceedings and peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Prepare and defend a doctoral thesis in the field of micronutrients and sustainable food products.
• Support student supervision and contribute to teaching at BSc and MSc levels.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in Food Sciences or a closely related field, or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. Furthermore, the ideal candidate has:

• Completed a relevant master's program
• Knowledge about food chemistry, processing, and bioprocessing techniques
• Hands-on experience with analytical equipment such as HPLC and LC-MS, LC-MS/MS as well as sample preparation techniques and their application to food
• Knowledge about quality assurance of analytical methods
• Good communication skills in English, both written and oral
• Experience with international collaboration and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams
• A structured and analytical approach to work and problem-solving
• Experience with research dissemination – publications or conference presentation as well as professional qualifications relevant for the PhD-project will be taken into consideration

Applicants will also be required to meet the European Commission's MSCA Doctoral Network eligibility criteria, notably:

• Mobility Rule: Applicants can be of any nationality and 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 start of their employment at the University of Helsinki. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.
• Doctoral Candidate requirement: The applicant must not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the first day of the employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.

Please note that you will only be considered for the position if you fulfil both above eligibility criteria.

Assessment of the candidates will be conducted by an assessment committee which follows the MICROSUNSET recruitment set-up and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, (2005/251/EC) promoting an inclusive, merit-based, transparent, and unbiased recruitment process. After an eligibility check, assessment will be based on the qualification requirements listed above, as well as the grades from MSc/BSc education. A two-step procedure for applicant selection will be undertaken involving evaluation of the application and at least one interview. Interviews (online) are expected to take place in May 2026.

The Department of Food and Nutrition at the University of Helsinki focuses on food quality, safety, and nutrition to develop solutions that promote human health and sustainable food systems. We have strong expertise in the analysis, reactions and bioaccessibility of vitamins as well as bioprocessing and managing the chemical and physical properties of raw materials throughout the food production process. This enables us to develop food structures, ensure safety, minimize food waste and enhance the nutritional quality. Our multidisciplinary approach fosters collaboration with the food industry and research partners both nationally and internationally.

The selected candidate will be employed full-time by the University of Helsinki on the MSCA-DN MICROSUNSET for a period of 36 months. The start date is 1 September 2026 or after as agreed. Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the requirements from the European Commission related to the MSCA programme. The EU MSCA grant received by UH consists of a monthly living allowance of 4731.80 euros, and a monthly mobility allowance of 710 euros. Please notice that the monthly salary you will receive will be lower than the above amounts, as these shall cover all costs related to your employment, such as monthly salary, future salary raises, pension, paid holidays, compulsory taxes, and labour market contributions. At the University of Helsinki, ca. 30 % will be deducted from the amounts, which are still subject to personal income tax. The workplace of the position is in Helsinki, Finland. The selected appointee must enrol as a PhD student at the University of Helsinki. 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 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