Postdoc in Advanced Food Microscopy

The SDU FOODLAB at SDU Biotechnology, Department of Green Technology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applicants for a 24-month postdoctoral research fellowship in advanced microscopy of foods with an expected starting date as soon as possible. 

The position is part of an interdisciplinary project aiming to combine food (micro)structure with deep-learning image analysis and is a collaborative effort between SDU FOODLAB and researchers from the Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen (UCPH). The project will investigate microstructures in food matrices using different advanced optical microscopy techniques to image protein and fat microstructures and their changes over time upon different processing conditions such as enzymatic, physicochemical, or heat. The project aims to adapt advanced optical microscopy for studying food to understand the microstructural origin of texture, and to develop better quantitative tools for describing macromolecular network assemblies in food systems. The postdoctoral researcher employed in this position will be working in close collaboration with the project partners at UCPH to exchange microscopy images (SDU) and image analysis tools (UCPH)

The ideal scientific profile of the candidate has:

• A PhD in science or engineering with a specialization related to biophysics, chemistry, food, structural biology, or other relevant scientific area.
• Experience with microscopy:
  • labeling strategies
  • bioimaging
  • advanced optical microscopy methods 
  • Image analysis: basic to more advanced quantitative analysis
• Experience with soft matter/food characterization: 
  • Biophysical methods
  • Physicochemical characterization
  • Rheology
  • Texture analysis

The candidate must expect to be working with all these areas during the project and we will ensure that sufficient training is provided in subjects where the candidate is less experienced.

Further, the candidate is expected to:

• Have an interdisciplinary and collaborative mindset
• Be curious and interested in exploring new scientific horizons
• Work and communicate in an open and honest manner and engage in scientific discussions with colleagues
• Assist in the supervision of students (PhD, master, bachelor)
• Have the ability to work independently
• Good English communication oral and written (work language is English) 

The SDU FOODLAB was established in 2019 and explores the fundamentals of the microstructures that underline food texture and develops new optical microscopy methods to unlock a structural scale previously inaccessible, intending to build a hierarchical understanding of food matrices from the molecular scale to macroscopic. The lab offers modern facilities for food characterization, and advanced microscopy infrastructure via the imaging facility DaMBIC (http://www.dambic.dk/). The group consists of one associate professor, one assistant professor, and several postdocs and PhD students, with diverse scientific backgrounds covering from biophysics to food science. Within the group, there is flexibility to accommodate individual professional aspirations and career ambitions and we support professional development incl. teaching, supervision, and course participation. 

The SDU FOODLAB  is part of the young and aspiring Biotechnology section (SDU Biotech) offering complementary competencies within the biotechnology field.

Exciting times, so come join us! 

For further information on the position, please contact, Assistant Professor Jose Bonilla [email protected] or Associate Professor Mathias P. Clausen [email protected]. For references feel free to reach out to current or former group members.

If you experience technical problems, you must contact [email protected]. 

Conditions of employment 
Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level. Employment as a postdoc is temporary and will cease without further notice at the end of the period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

The assessment process
Read about the Assessment and selection process. Shortlisting may be used. 

Application
Open the ‘Apply now’ link to fill out the application form and upload your files.

Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The application including the required attachments must be in English.

Application deadline is 26. April 2024.

The application must include (all attachments must be in Adobe PDF format): 

• A motivational statement
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Certificates/Diplomas (MSc and PhD) - Danish or English translation
• Research Statement
• List of publications
• Up to three letters of recommendation. 

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

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

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

Apply at https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/ledige_stillinger