Doctoral Candidate: Interaction of Aerogels with Complex Food Media

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 9 Dec 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Berlin) Date de début : 1 Mar 2027 Programme UE : Horizon Europe - MSCA Référence : 2 Département : Institute of Thermal Separation Processes Domaine : Engineering » Chemical engineering

The Candidate will investigate how food-grade aerogels interact with complex food environments such as syrups, oils, emulsions, sauces and semi-solid matrices. The project will establish mechanistic structure–property–function relationships describing dynamic processes including swelling, shrinkage, liquid uptake, softening and partial disintegration, which determine aerogel performance in stabilisation, controlled release, sensory modification and shelf-life enhancement. The candidate will combine advanced experimental characterisation with multiscale modelling. Surface and bulk properties, including polarity, hydrogen bonding, rigidity, pore structure, charge, sorption kinetics and viscoelasticity, will be analysed using ATR-FTIR, NMR relaxometry, DSC/TGA, BET analysis, rheology and dynamic sorption. Real-time changes in complex media will be studied using optical and X-ray imaging, swelling analysis, tribology and microfluidic tools. Modelling activities will include diffusion–sorption models, continuum mechanics, coarse-grained simulations and data-driven predictive approaches. The goal is to develop predictive tools and practical guidelines for selecting aerogels for specific food applications. Hosted at TU Hamburg within FAroGels, the project includes secondments at partners and projects as METU, Barilla and Aerofybers, providing complementary training in rheology, oral tribology and others YOUR TASKS Conduct research on development, characterization and validation of food-grade, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems Plan, perform, document and analyse experimental work using relevant laboratory, analytical, processing and/or modelling methods Participate actively in FAroGels network meetings, workshops, training schools, seminars and transferable-skills activities Undertake planned secondments at FAroGels partner organisations, as specified for the DC project Work collaboratively with academic and non-academic partners across the FAroGels network

The Candidate will investigate how food-grade aerogels interact with complex food environments such as syrups, oils, emulsions, sauces and semi-solid matrices. The project will establish mechanistic structure–property–function relationships describing dynamic processes including swelling, shrinkage, liquid uptake, softening and partial disintegration, which determine aerogel performance in stabilisation, controlled release, sensory modification and shelf-life enhancement. The candidate will combine advanced experimental characterisation with multiscale modelling. Surface and bulk properties, including polarity, hydrogen bonding, rigidity, pore structure, charge, sorption kinetics and viscoelasticity, will be analysed using ATR-FTIR, NMR relaxometry, DSC/TGA, BET analysis, rheology and dynamic sorption. Real-time changes in complex media will be studied using optical and X-ray imaging, swelling analysis, tribology and microfluidic tools. Modelling activities will include diffusion–sorption models, continuum mechanics, coarse-grained simulations and data-driven predictive approaches. The goal is to develop predictive tools and practical guidelines for selecting aerogels for specific food applications. Hosted at TU Hamburg within FAroGels, the project includes secondments at partners and projects as METU, Barilla and Aerofybers, providing complementary training in rheology, oral tribology and others

YOUR TASKS

Conduct research on development, characterization and validation of food-grade, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems

Plan, perform, document and analyse experimental work using relevant laboratory, analytical, processing and/or modelling methods

Participate actively in FAroGels network meetings, workshops, training schools, seminars and transferable-skills activities

Undertake planned secondments at FAroGels partner organisations, as specified for the DC project

Work collaboratively with academic and non-academic partners across the FAroGels network

Where to apply Website https://stellenportal.tuhh.de/q2po6