PhD Position in Bio-Based Aerogels for Active & Safe Food Packaging
Develop innovative bio-based aerogels with antioxidant and antimicrobial functionalities for sustainable food packaging solutions.
Best for:Best for candidates with a strong background in materials science, food science, or biopolymer engineering, interested in sustainable packaging and interdisciplinary research.
Overview
This PhD position is part of the **FAroGels** Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network, funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe. The project focuses on creating food-grade, bio-based, and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems. The successful candidate will conduct research at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), developing polysaccharide-based aerogels with integrated antioxidant and antimicrobial functionalities for direct food-contact applications. The work involves multidisciplinary characterization, safety assessment, and optimization of aerogel formulations to ensure functionality without compromising food safety. Collaboration with partners across academia and industry is integral to this innovative project.
What you'll do
- Develop polysaccharide-based aerogels functionalized with polyphenolic tannins for food-contact applications.
- Investigate relationships between aerogel composition, processing conditions, structure, and functionality through multidisciplinary characterization (morphological, thermal, mechanical, antioxidant, antimicrobial).
- Optimize aerogel formulations using sol-gel processing and drying techniques (supercritical CO₂ or freeze-drying).
- Conduct safety assessments, including identification and quantification of potential migrants and transformation products using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS.
- Perform dietary exposure and in-silico toxicological evaluations to support compliance with EU food-contact material regulations.
- Collaborate with FAroGels partners on research, data analysis, and scientific communication.
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Materials Science, Food Science, Biotechnology, or a related field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency sufficient for academic research and collaboration
Instruction: English
- Experience in materials characterization techniques (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, thermal analysis, mechanical testing).
- Familiarity with sol-gel processing and aerogel fabrication methods.
- Knowledge of food safety regulations and toxicological assessment methods.
- Proficiency in laboratory research and data analysis.
- Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
- Open to EU and non-EU candidates under MSCA eligibility rules (e.g., mobility rule, no prior PhD).
- Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-12-08 (Europe/Madrid)
Applicants must submit their application through the FAroGels portal. The application package typically includes a CV, a motivation letter, academic transcripts, and contact details for two referees. Additional project-specific documentation may be required. Follow the instructions on the FAroGels website for detailed submission guidelines.
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Academic transcripts (BSc + MSc)
- Two reference letters
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
Contact
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