PhD scholarship in Future Marine Food Innovation - DTU National Food Institute

The DTU National Food Institute is offering a PhD scholarship focused on advancing marine foods and ingredients. The goals of this position are to: 1) identify new marine resources, including side-streams, by-products and underutilized biomasses, and assess their techno-functional properties and nutritional components, and 2) develop marine-based foods and/or ingredients by applying suitable process technologies, evaluating quality and safety, consumer acceptance, legislation, and sustainability. The results will contribute to DTU’s advisory efforts on future marine foods.

There is significant potential to rethink the perception of marine foods in Denmark, particularly with respect to incorporating plant-based elements into seafood, and with respect to the processing of marine raw materials, all to promote a healthy and sustainable diet. The outcomes of this work will influence developments in marine foods and ingredients, contributing to the creation of healthy, safe, and flavorful foods for the future. The work will follow an iterative approach, developing and refining prototypes in a stop-and-go process based on the results obtained. This effort will be conducted in collaboration with suppliers (fisheries, producers of algae and marine products), food innovators and chefs, and authorities. Identification of supply chain, bottlenecks or issues in advancing the development of future marine foods will be included.

You will join two research groups at the DTU National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark: “Food Production Engineering” and “Bioactives – Analysis and Application.” These groups focus on responsible food production, including green processing technologies, maximizing raw material utilization, and their application in foods. The research groups are known for their dynamic staff, high international visibility, extensive collaborations with leading universities and organizations worldwide, and a successful track record in both national and international research projects.

We prioritize a positive working environment and job satisfaction. You will have ample opportunities to interact with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds, both scientifically and socially. We organize several social events throughout the year and emphasize empowerment and individual responsibility.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are seeking a candidate with master’s in food science, food technology, or similar, who understands the complexity of foods, including food chemistry and physics, and is passionate about changing “the way we SEA food”. Your primary goal will be to enhance the Department's expertise in advising on future foods by anticipating trends in the expanding market of novel foods.

As part of your research, you will: 

• Identify marine resources and outline their potential as food or ingredient 
• Select 2-4 raw marine materials, and suitable process technologies to transform these materials into foods and/or ingredients 
• Apply suitable process technologies such as green technologies, e.g. PEF, ultrasound, supercritical CO2 extraction, fermentation and high pressure
• Analyze the raw material and the final obtained food or ingredient regarding techno-functional properties, organoleptic properties and aroma profiling, texture profile, rheology, food safety and nutritional value
• Collaborate with chefs (or similar) to develop marine-based food or ingredient
• Generate data that contribute to the legislation and advisory on these types of marine-based food and/or ingredient
• Work closely together with lab technicians who carry out analysis for characterization of raw materials, and the developed food products and/or ingredients 
• Engage in supervision of students and be involved in teaching activities of both BSc and MSc students. We expect you to engage in teaching in DTU courses for Bachelor of Engineering in food technology and marine foods (23952 , 23954 and 23936 )
• Contribute to the discussion and with ideas that enhance the collaboration and outcome of the work
• Take responsibility for planning and executing your experiments

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
In the assessment, consideration will be given to:

• Experience with process technology, including food process design and development
• Experience with analytical techniques 
• Skills within statistical analysis (skills in multivariate data analysis are also an advantage)
• Communication skills both in oral and written English, and if you are not already speaking Danish, we expect you to be willing to learn Danish as teaching preferably will be carried out in Danish
• Flexibility and self-motivation are desired skills at DTU 
• We expect you to be a team player and interested in collaboration internally and externally
• Have a holistic approach and understanding of societal needs 
• Strong motivation in sustainability and green food transition

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is 1 December 2025 (or according to mutual agreement, but no later than 1 January 2026). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information  
If you need more information, you are welcome to contact us: Associate Professor Nina Gringer, ngri@food.dtu.dk  or Associate Professor Ditte B. Hermund, dbala@food.dtu.dk .

You can read more about The DTU National Food Institute at www.food.dtu.dk. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 August 2025 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• Motivation letter including your vision for the project (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Applications submitted by e-mail to the contact person will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The DTU National Food Institute 
The DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in food and health for the benefit of society. The institute’s vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute prevents disease and promotes health, develops new and better food products for a growing population and creates sustainable technological solutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in unique interdisciplinary cooperation in e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling and technology.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.