Postdoctoral position - Carbohydrate quality in new cereal

Department of Molecular Sciences
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is seeking a motivated candidate for a 2-year postdoctoral position in Food Science with a focus on carbohydrate quality in cereal grain. The position is placed at the Department of Molecular Sciences, Biocentrum, SLU, Uppsala, and includes cooperation with the Department of Plant Biology, as well as companies that produce cereal foods.

The Department of Molecular Sciences is part of the Biocentrum cluster, a creative and strong international research environment for basic and applied research at SLU. Research and education at the department highlight food composition, structure and properties, and includes raw material, handling and processing to products. Our research has shown how the dietary fibre from different raw materials is affected during processing, and that it is possible to influence the dietary fibre composition to improve the nutritional properties of the products. New crops are developed in cooperation with plant breeders to increase the health benefits even further.

Duties:
As a post-doctorate, you will have an important role in our research focused on dietary fibre. The work involves chemical characterization of polysaccharides, especially beta-glucan. The aim is to understand how the chemical structure differs between breeding lines of cereal grains and thus be able to explain differences in properties. The collaboration with plant breeders involves investigations of how genetic differences influence polysaccharide structure and properties. Characterization of polysaccharides involves extractions, fractionations and chemical analyses by for example enzymatic, spectroscopic and chromatographic methods.

Qualifications:
The position requires a PhD in food science or other relevant field. Good knowledge and practical experience of techniques for the characterization of food is a requirement, as well as good skills in written and spoken English. Practical experience of working with polysaccharides and/or cereal grain is an advantage.

Eligibility: As postdoctoral position is a qualifying appointment for junior researchers, we are primarily addressing candidates who have a PhD not older than three years.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 24 months

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
According to agreement

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-02-24, use the button below.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.