PhD fellowship in Membrane Filtration within a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Industrial Doctoral Network UP2MEM

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PhD fellowship in Membrane Filtration within a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Industrial Doctoral Network UP2MEM

PhD fellowship in Membrane Filtration within a Marie
Skłodowska-Curie Industrial Doctoral Network UP2MEM

Separation of fat and proteins from dairy side streams and plant-based extracts
**Department of FOOD Science

Faculty of SCIENCE
University of Copenhagen
Department of Food Science invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in membrane filtration research. The project is part of the
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Industrial Doctoral Network UP2MEM**
- Materials up-cycling to fabricate advanced membrane technologies for water and food industries: towards zero waste and a circular economy.

Start date is (expected to be) March 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
UP2MEN will train 15 doctoral students to face the complex challenge of predicting the impact of pollutants on the environment and water reuse as well as the recovery of valuable products in food. Therefore, the Circular Economy is used to manufacture novel filtration systems, using green approaches through four main missions: research, training, management and innovation. This objective will be achieved through a structured research training programme consisting of original individual research projects and education in technical and transferable skills. Experts from 11 doctoral degree-granting universities, 1 national research center and 13 companies will join forces to facilitate the successful training program that will allow doctoral students to receive an Industrial Doctorate with at least two different supervisors, one supervisor on the academy side and another on the industry side. Synergies and complementarities between doctoral students' projects will be reinforced by multiple research stays and degrees with an industrial connotation, and by debates on progress and achievements during network meetings.

This specific PhD project will focus on
separation of fat and proteins from dairy side streams and plant-based extracts
and is a collaboration with Arla Food Ingredients and MMS. The candidate will be employed and enrtolled as PhD at Copenhagen University, department of Food Science and will spend 9 months at Arla Food Ingredienst Innovation Center in Nr Vium (Denmark) and 9 months at MMS in Urdorf (Switzerland).

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field of Food Engineering or Food Science that are willing to develop novel membrane separation processes for separation of fat and proteins, as well use a number of techniques for physico and chemical charaterisation of the streams obtained. Experience within these fields is a plus. English proficiency is required for this position. Previous or ongoing experience with writing and structuring of scientific articles is also a plus. Applicants have a master's degree or equivalent in Food Engineering or Food Science or related field, who has a curious mind-set and are highly motivated to pursue a PhD in this area.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The group is a part of Department of Food Science, the section Ingredient and Dairy Technology at Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and Pilot Plants.

Principal supervisor
is
Professor Lilia Ahrné,

,
and the co-supervisor is Dr Behnaz Razi Parjikolaei (Arla Food Ingredients)

The PhD programme
A
three year full-time study
within the framework of
the regular PhD programme
(5+3 scheme),
if you already
have an education
equivalent to a relevant Danish master's degree.
Qualifications Needed For The Regular Programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Food Science or related field. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities
and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We Are Looking For The Following Qualifications

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with experiencie or strong interest in technical skills (e.g. food processing, structural and chemical characterisation) and experience/knowledge/interest in membrane filtration and understanding interactions between proteins and fat and membrane surfaces
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please Include

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if available)
• Contact details of up to two referees
• Copy of your passport

Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is 15 December 2025, 23:59 GMT +1

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact Professor Lilia Ahrné )

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School's website:

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
APPLY NOW

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe's top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Info

Application deadline:

Employment start:

Working hours:
Full time

Department/Location:
Department of Food Science

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