项目介绍

2025年5月8日

PhD in Cheese alternatives

Deadline 10 Jun ’25Published on yesterdayVacancy ID P1813095-1Apply now32 days remainingSave

Academic fields

Food

Job types

PhD

Education level

University graduate

Weekly hours

38 hours per week

Salary indication

€2901—€3707 per month

Location

Droevendaalsesteeg, 6708 PB, WageningenView on Google Maps

Job description

Are you getting excited by the development of plant-based foods? Are you curious to understand better how properties of such foods can be controlled? And do you have the mindset of a curious scientist? Then this position may be ideal for you.

In the group of Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, we are looking for an enthusiastic candidate for a four-year PhD trajectory on a project on cheese alternatives, and understanding how ingredients can alter the structure and different textural properties. The development for cheese alternatives is relevant to boost the transition to a more plant-based diet. Mimicking the divers properties of cheese is not straightforward, due to the unique and versatile structure of casein present in cheese. To mimic these properties, new strategies are needed to control the structure of gels prepared from plant-base alternatives, and more understanding how specific structural features link to textural characteristics, such as fracture properties, melting and stretching.

What will you do?
You will examine the role of different ingredients (proteins, starches, polysaccharides, enzymes) for the development of cheese alternatives, and how specific interactions between the ingredients can be altered to tune the properties at different (mesoscopic and macroscopic) length scales. Advanced techniques, such as (electron and scanning) microscopy, NMR, RAMAN-spectroscopy, and (extensional) rheology will be used to quantify different structure characteristics, ingredient and water distribution, and textural properties. The gained knowledge will be used to provide guidelines to industrial partners in the project.

Your tasks include:

• investigate the effect of different ingredients on different textural properties of vegan alternatives;
• quantify different structural features on a mesoscopic scale to gain more specific knowledge on important physical phenomena;
• develop methodologies to quantify different textural properties, such as melting characteristics and stretching properties.

Who else is in the project?
You will be working in a consortium with several industrial partners, and other scientist at WFBR (Wageningen Food and Biobased Research). Good collaboration is essential, and therefore we are looking for a team player with good communication skills.

Requirements

You are curious, proactive and enthusiastic. You have a drive to understand how and why foods provide specific characteristics. You are capable to work in a multidisciplinary team while taking ownership of your own project. You have good communication skills, both verbally and written, to provide progress and further plans and ideas to the partners in the project on a regular basis.

You also possess the following:

• a successfully completed MSc degree before the start of this job in the area of food technology, physical chemistry, or related disciplines;
• experience of working in a lab is essential. Basic knowledge on food ingredients, food structures and physical phenomena is needed;
• work in an independent and self-motivated manner;
• a keen interest in both fundamental and applied research.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Conditions of employment

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the “best university” in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Employer

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.

We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Elke Scholten by email: elke.scholten@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter, by email: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including 9 June 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews shortly after this date.

To apply for this position, please write a cover letter with your motivation (max. 1 page), and a CV of max. 2 pages with most relevant information.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone’s unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.