PhD position in Food Science

ORGANISATION/COMPANY
University College Dublin, School of Agriculture and Food Science

APPLICATION DEADLINE
31/01/2022 23:00 – Europe/Athens

OFFER DESCRIPTION

PhD Scholarship: “Authentication of regionally produced meats”

Background

Consumers place a value on foods (including meats) with a label or claim indicating the geographic origin or region/mode of production (e.g. PDO or PGI). To validate and support such labels there is a need to determine if regionally produced meats can be distinguished based on a unique signature arising from their geographic region of origin and the mode of production. The PhD research aims to establish if Irish regionally produced grass-fed beef and lamb have unique elemental and fatty acid signatures. The PhD student will be based primarily at University College Dublin (UCD), working with Professors Frank Monahan and Olaf Schmidt, but will also spend time at Teagasc (The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority) working with Professors Aidan Moloney and Kieran Kilcawley. They will use advanced analytical methods such as Gas Chromatography and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry to quantify compositional differences and discriminate Irish beef and lamb on the basis of region of production.

Requirements

Applicants should have a 2.1 Bachelors (Hons) degree or higher in Science (e.g. Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry), Food Science, Agricultural Science or in a related subject area and should have an interest in the science of food. Applicants with a Masters degree are likely to have a strong advantage.

Where English is not the first language of applicants, English language requirements are available at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/policiesandgeneralregulations/generalrequirements/minimumenglishlanguagerequirements/ .

Selection process

Application Procedure

A letter of motivation together with a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees should be sent by email to: frank.monahan@ucd.ie

Closing date

31 January 2022

Additional comments

Award

The value of the scholarship is €24,000 per annum, tax free. The successful applicant will be required to pay a postgraduate registration fee of €6,000 p.a.