Doctoral Candidate (Ph.D. student) position in semi-automated supercritical CO₂ drying within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network “FAroGels – Food-Grade Aerogels

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 9 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Date de début : 31 Mar 2027 Programme UE : Horizon Europe - MSCA Département : R&D Domaine : Engineering » Other

We are looking to admit outstanding applicant as Doctoral Candidate (DC4 – Semi-automated Supercritical CO₂ Drying for Reproducible Structures) at Superex (Pard Mühendislik ve Otomasyon Sanayi Ticaret Ltd. Şti.), Konya, Türkiye . Highly motivated Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to join FAroGels, funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01, Grant Agreement No. 101312450). The position is a fixed-term employment contract of 36 months, full-time (100%), with Superex as recruiting/host organisation and Selçuk University (Department of Physics, Konya, Türkiye) as PhD awarding institution. Project summary FAroGels brings together academic and non-academic partners with complementary expertise in food science and technology, materials science, biopolymer science, biotechnology, process engineering, analytical characterization, packaging and sustainable innovation. FAroGels aims to develop, characterize and validate food-grade, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems. The network will investigate how these highly porous materials can support more efficient food processing, improved food quality and safety, nutritional and sensory functionality, protection and delivery of bioactive compounds, and sustainable packaging solutions. This position forms part of the FAroGels research program on food-grade, bio-based, and biodegradable aerogels and their application in sustainable food systems. The selected candidate will be employed by Superex and will be required to enroll as a PhD student at Selçuk University , in accordance with the relevant admission and enrolment requirements. Project objectives Food-grade aerogels can only move beyond the laboratory if they can be dried reproducibly. Supercritical CO₂ drying is the decisive production step, but laboratory dryers are still largely tuned by hand, which causes substantial batch-to-batch variability. DC4 will tackle this bottleneck by designing and building a semi-automated supercritical CO₂ drying system with real-time monitoring of pressure, temperature, CO₂ density and solvent saturation. The data logged during drying will be used to create process datasets linking drying trajectories to aerogel density, pore-size distribution and mechanical performance. On this basis, the project will develop and validate a machine-learning control module, trained first on commercial reference materials and then on aerogels produced elsewhere in the network, such as seaweed-residue aerogels and aerogels from non-gelling biopolymers. The AI-assisted system will recommend optimised temperature, pressure and depressurisation profiles, reducing trial-and-error and improving reproducibility and efficiency. The Doctoral Candidate will contribute to equipment design and instrumentation, run drying experiments, analyse process and structural data, and translate the results into standardised drying protocols for the network. The expected outcomes are a functional semi-automated dryer with full sensor integration and data logging, parameter–property datasets, a trained control model, and drying SOPs used across FAroGels. DC4 is one of the enabling projects of the network: it supplies aerogels with controlled, documented structures and consistent materials for the food, packaging and modelling projects. The position will involve laboratory-based research, data analysis, scientific communication and close collaboration with other FAroGels Doctoral Candidates, supervisors and partner organizations. Main responsibilities Conduct research on the design, instrumentation and operation of a semi-automated supercritical CO₂ drying system and on data-driven control of the drying process for reproducible aerogel structures. Plan, perform, document and analyse experimental work using relevant laboratory, analytical, processing and/or modelling methods. Collaborate with academic and non-academic partners across the FAroGels network, including during the planned secondments. Participate actively in FAroGels network meetings, training schools, workshops and transferable-skills activities. Prepare scientific reports, contributions to project deliverables, presentations and publications, and contribute to dissemination and communication activities. Supervisory team and planned secondments The Doctoral Candidate will be supervised by a team combining academic and non-academic expertise: Said Adil Atlioglu, Superex (Pard Mühendislik ve Otomasyon Sanayi Ticaret Ltd. Şti.), Türkiye (main supervisor, non-academic); Dr. Halit Çavuşoğlu, Selçuk University (SU), Türkiye (main supervisor at the PhD awarding institution); Prof. Dr. Mecit Halil Öztop, Middle East Technical University (METU), Türkiye (academic co-supervisor); and Dr. Irina Smirnova, Technische Universitat Hamburg (TUHH), Germany (academic co-supervisor). As part of the training programme, the Doctoral Candidate will complete planned secondments at FAroGels partner organisations: University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), academic, Spain, 3 months; The Nottingham Trent University (TNTU), academic, United Kingdom, 2 months; Technische Universitat Hamburg (TUHH), academic, Germany, 1 month; and aerogel-it GmbH (AIt), non-academic, Germany, 1 month. Requirements Master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, materials science, food technology, physics, or nanotechnology and advanced materials. Strong laboratory and analytical skills in the design and construction of supercritical processing equipment. Fluency in written and spoken English. A Turkish-language requirement applies at the PhD awarding institution (see “Institution-specific requirements” below). Strong motivation to pursue doctoral research in an international and interdisciplinary environment. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative research activities. Good organization, communication and problem-solving skills. Willingness to travel for planned secondments, network meetings and training activities. MSCA Doctoral Network eligibility criteria Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. At the date of recruitment, applicants must meet the following MSCA Doctoral Network requirements: Doctoral candidate status: Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible. Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Türkiye for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention or EU temporary protection are not taken into account. Compliance is verified before the start of employment, on the basis of the candidate’s passport and, where necessary, other documents. PhD enrolment: Doctoral Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. For this position, this is the doctoral programme at Selçuk University; applicants must therefore meet its admission requirements. Institution-specific requirements: The selected candidate must meet Selçuk University’s admission conditions for international students ( https://selcuk.edu.tr/birim/sayfa/5323/uluslararasi-ogrenciler-9400 ). The condition to be aware of before applying is the Turkish-language requirement: an applicant who does not hold a Turkish proficiency certificate is registered in a preparatory class and begins the doctoral programme on submitting a C1 or C2 level certificate from a university TÖMER or another institution recognised by YÖK; applicants who completed their Bachelor’s or Master’s education in Türkiye may be exempted. Please note: the FAroGels consortium is in contact with the University about how this requirement applies to an MSCA doctoral position. Should a different arrangement be agreed, the PhD for this position may instead be awarded by Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara. Applicants are therefore recommended to also meet METU’s doctoral admission requirements, so that their application remains valid in either case; these are set out in the DC5 and DC8 position announcements on the FAroGels website ( https://farogels.eu/open-positions/ ). The doctoral school at Selçuk University takes 4 years, which requires continuation as PhD student for 1 year after finishing the employment contract. Visa and residence permit: a visa or residence/work permit is not required at the application stage and is not a selection criterion. Where needed, it will be arranged after selection and before the start of employment, with the support of the recruiting organisation. Candidates from non-EU countries are equally welcome to apply. What FAroGels offers A full-time doctoral position funded through the FAroGels MSCA Doctoral Network. A fixed-term employment contract for 36 months at Superex. A competitive salary and employment conditions in accordance with the MSCA Doctoral Networks funding provisions, applicable national legislation and the policies of Superex. Social-security coverage and other employment-related benefits in accordance with the applicable national and institutional framework. A Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP), prepared with the supervisory team and reviewed and updated during the project. Access to research facilities, infrastructure, training and support services at Superex and within the FAroGels…