PhD fellowship in Mycelium-based Biomaterials

The Department of Food Science, Section of Food Analytics and Biotechnology invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in biomaterials with the aim to contributing fundamental understanding towards the development of future, sustainable, mycelium-based options. The project further has links with the Royal Danish Academy and Imperial College London.

The PhD position is part of a research project funded by the Danish research council: ‘”Green” bio-composite mycelium-based materials (BioMyTerials)’.

Start date is expected to be 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Food is one of the largest greenhouse gasses (GHG) emitting sectors (c.30% of total), and livestock is a major contributor (c.15% of total GHG emissions) to this. A dietary shift towards less animal-based foods is therefore necessary to reduce the climate impact of our food. Mycelium, the root structure of filamentous fungi, offers vast potential for this shift, as it is affordable, nutritious (e.g. high in protein, low in fat) and consumer acceptable. In addition, mycelium can grow on side streams from the food and biotech industry, further enhancing its green potential. To date, it is typically cultivated as a food ingredient source, with the aim to destroy its natural structure and extract purified ingredients. While this has seen broad applications in foods (e.g. mycoprotein) and beyond (e.g. construction materials, leather), purification and drying can increase the environmental footprint. In-situ mycelium structuring on suitable scaffolds provides a novel approach towards a new generation of natural, sustainable foods with properties that are controlled and tuned during mycelium growth, therefore requiring minimal post-production processing. Currently, this is practiced only in highly empirical, niche products like the Rhizopus-based Tempeh, due to the lack of the required mechanistic understanding of how mycelium grows on different scaffolds.

BioMyTerials aims to create new knowledge on how mycelium grows on a range of model scaffolds, with particular focus on linking the properties of the substrate scaffolds, including nutrition and physical attributes, with growth morphologies and material properties. Both submerged and solid-state fermentation will be considered, as are media compositions relevant to side streams. To maximise potential, the project will link with experts in the construction sector in the Royal Danish Academy, and it will benefit from international expertise in material characterisation at Imperial College, London.

Specific tasks for the PhD position in mycelium-based biomaterials:

• Development of model scaffolds with well defined properties
• Cultivation of mycelium in a range of different media and conditions
• Working on asceptic conditions
• Physical-chemical material characterisation
• Detailed characterisation of bulk and interfacial material properties
• Detailed mechanical characterisation of bio-materials
• Use of multiscale visualisation methods

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within a relevant field(s), such as food science or food engineering.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The selected PhD student will be part of the Plant Based Foods and Biochemistry research group in the Section of Food Analytics and Biotechnology. The group currently has 23 members in total and offers an open, supportive environment for everyone to thrive. We work on a range of topics that vary from purely biotechnological to food science, fermentation, and digestion. As a member of the group, you will participate in our regular (weekly) meetings, where you will have the opportunity to present your work in a safe environment and engage in scientific discussions relevant to our field. You will also be part of our exciting social events.

The group is a part of the Department of Food Science, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Principal supervisor is Dr Ourania Gouseti, Department of Food Science, UCPH (ourania@food.ku.dk).

The PhD programme is a three-year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme).

Qualifications needed:
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. food science, food engineering, chemistry. For information on eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment:
Employment as PhD fellow is full-time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

General Responsibilities and tasks 

• Carry out an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, which for this position will be in the UK.
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for a candidate with several of the following qualifications:

• An MSc degree in areas relevant to the PhD project (e.g., food science, food engineering)
• Ability to work with material properties and phase diagrams
• Practical experience in bulk and interfacial characterisation, includiong rheology and mechanical properties.
• Experience with mycelium cultivation
• Experience with visualisation techniques
• Curious mindset with strong interest in bio-based materials
• Excellent English communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong work ethics
• High ambitions
• Team player

Key selection criteria:

• Professional qualifications relevant for the position
• Relevant work experience
• Language skills
• Creative thinking
• Level of enthusiasm and motivation

Application and Assessment Procedure

 Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

1. Motivated letter of application (motivation to pursue a PhD, max. one page)
2. Your drive for applying for the specific PhD project (relevance and motivation to work on this topic, your approach to the subject).
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
5. Publication list (if relevant)
6. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline: 

The deadline for applications is 22 January 2025, 23:59 GMT +2

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process 
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. 

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.