Licentiate in Food Science

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Food Science in Ultuna 1 Licentiate in the research education subject: Food Science Interplay between indolic compounds and testicular steroids in male pigs The sensory quality of pork produced from entire male pigs may be negatively affected by the presence of skatole and/or androstenone, so called boar taint.Male piglets destined for pork production are surgically castrated in most countries due to the risk of boar taint.Although castration markedly decreases the risk of boar taint, this approach is questionable.First, entire male pigs compared to castrates have better carcass characteristics.Second, there is an increased concern about unfavourable effects of surgical castration on animal health and welfare.Therefore, to prevent boar taint, methods other than castration should be developed.The research will focus on: .quality of meat from immunocastrated pigs (impact of testicular steroids on skatole levels and metabolism in vivo); .impact of testicular steroids and compounds with indole-like structure on skatole metabolism in vitro; .biochemical differences between the microsomes from female and male pigs.This project is a collaboration between the Department of Food Science at SLU, and Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Canada. Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: Candidates for this position should have a M.Sc.in Animal or Veterinary science or related fields (equivalent to at least 240 HP), some laboratory work experience and good writing skills in English.Preferred Qualifications: Candidates with background (M.Sc.) and past achievement in Animal or Veterinary science or related fields, experience working with HPLC and RIA, ability to develop new methods in laboratory, writing skills in English and knowledge of statistical analysis are particularly encouraged and desired for this position.Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with other researchers, excellent organizational and interpersonal abilities, research interest in endocrinology and molecular genetics is highly preferable. Forms for funding or employment: Other Fundning SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.A person has basic eligibility for third level education if he or she has taken a second level qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second level.Those who met the requirements for general eligibility before July 1st, 2007, i.e.had completed a programme of higher education for at least 120 credits or the equivalent, will continue to do so until the end of 2015." Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview. For a complete advt: http://www.slu.se/phdadvert