About the opportunity
Join a collaborative PhD project at the DTU National Food Institute in partnership with Arla Foods. The project, ULTRA-MELT, focuses on developing innovative melting strategies for processed cheese production with reduced emulsifying salt content. You will investigate how ultrasound-assisted processing and other emerging technologies can maintain texture, meltability, stability, and sensory quality while reducing salt dependency, linking rheology, tribology, and microstructure to product performance.
Salary and benefits
- Salary/allowance based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
- Employment period of 3 years.
- Access to advanced processing and analytical facilities at DTU National Food Institute.
- Opportunity for close collaboration with Arla Foods.
Who can apply?
- Must hold a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or an equivalent academic degree in food technology, food engineering, dairy science, or a related field.
- Strong foundation in food processing and dairy technology, specifically cheese processing and ingredient functionality.
- Experience with emerging processing technologies and knowledge of structure-function relationships in complex food systems.
- Knowledge of colloidal systems (emulsions and gels) and their relevance to dairy product texture and stability.
- Experience with experimental food characterization (e.g., rheology, texture analysis, microscopy, thermal analysis).
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
- Applicants may apply before obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin the position before receiving it.
Required documents
- Cover letter motivating the application.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma in English, including an official description of the grading scale.
- Contact details for 1-2 referees.
- Brief research statement or examples of previous research (optional).
When to apply
- Application deadline: 8 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time).
- Expected starting date: 1 December 2026 (or by mutual agreement).
How to apply
- Open the 'Apply now' link on the official job page.
- Fill out the online application form.
- Attach all required materials in English as a single PDF file.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Master's degree holders in food technology, dairy science, or engineering
- Experience with rheology, microscopy, or other food characterization techniques
- Interest in industrial collaboration with partners like Arla Foods
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires on-site work at the DTU National Food Institute
- Must hold a master's degree before the start date
- Three-year commitment required for the PhD program
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This scholarship is a significant opportunity for an aspiring researcher to contribute to sustainable food innovation. By working on the ULTRA-MELT project, the candidate will bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, developing specialized skills in dairy technology and emerging processing methods.
Our take
Candidates with a strong background in food engineering and a desire for industry-linked research should apply; those without the required master's degree are ineligible.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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