PhD position on reverse engineering Milk Fat Globules

As a PhD candidate, you will join a unique project aiming to deep-dive into the milk fat globule structure and the emerging properties at all scales. Your results will help to fundamentally understand the role of milk fat globules in the structure and taste of foods, and also assist in their replacement with healthy and sustainable plant-based counterparts.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Use nano-mechanical and -chemical mapping to unravel the structure-function properties of single milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Use super-resolution microscopy to investigate the molecular arrangement on the surface of milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Develop chemical analytical tools (NMR, HPLC) to track the molecular compounds present in milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Development of surface rheology protocols to investigate the mechanical properties of milk fat and plant lipid droplet interfaces
• Apply microfluidics to formulate, track, and analyse milk fat globule mimics in a controlled manner.

The research is part of the HARMOny project, which is carried out between Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and TU Delft. This particular PhD position will be embedded fully at WUR within the chairs Biobased Chemistry and Technology, and Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter. You will become a member of the Biobased Soft Matter team, which is led by Assoc. Prof. Costas Nikiforidis. You will be co-supervised by Assist. Prof. Siddharth Deshpande (EmBioSys Lab) and Assoc. Prof. Francesco Simone Ruggeri.

You will also collaborate with a PhD student working at TU Delft, who will use molecular modelling to simulate the milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets and guide the experimental work.

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PhD position on reverse engineering Milk Fat Globules

As a PhD candidate, you will join a unique project aiming to deep-dive into the milk fat globule structure and the emerging properties at all scales. Your results will help to fundamentally understand the role of milk fat globules in the structure and taste of foods, and also assist in their replacement with healthy and sustainable plant-based counterparts.

Your duties and responsibilities include (max 5):

• Use nano-mechanical and -chemical mapping to unravel the structure-function properties of single milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Use super-resolution microscopy to investigate the molecular arrangement on the surface of milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Develop chemical analytical tools (NMR, HPLC) to track the molecular compounds present in milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets
• Development of surface rheology protocols to investigate the mechanical properties of milk fat and plant lipid droplet interfaces
• Apply microfluidics to formulate, track, and analyse milk fat globule mimics in a controlled manner

You will work here
The research is part of the HARMOny project, which is carried out between Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and TU Delft. This particular PhD position will be embedded fully at WUR within the chairs Biobased Chemistry and Technology (https://www.wur.nl/nl/onderzoek-resultaten/leerstoelgroepen/agrotechnologie-en-voedselwetenschappen/biobased-chemistry-technology.htm), and Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/agrotechnology-and-food-sciences/biomolecular-sciences/physical-chemistry-and-soft-matter.htm). You will become a member of the Biobased Soft Matter team, which is led by Assoc. Prof. Costas Nikiforidis. You will be co-supervised by Assist. Prof. Siddharth Deshpande (EmBioSys Lab) and Assoc. Prof. Francesco Simone Ruggeri.

You will also collaborate with a PhD student working at TU Delft, who will use molecular modelling to simulate the milk fat globules and plant lipid droplets and guide the experimental work.

Medewerker Service Point (tweetaligeheid test)

As a Service Point Officer at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), you are the first point of contact for students, staff, and visitors seeking assistance or information. You ensure professional, friendly, and efficient service delivery. You welcome visitors, respond to inquiries by phone, email, or in person, handle requests, and ensure proper follow-up within the service chain.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Welcome and assist visitors at the Service Point, providing information or referrals where necessary.
• Respond to questions via phone, email, chat, or at the counter regarding facility, IT, or administrative services.
• Register, prioritize, and process service requests and incidents; escalate complex issues to the appropriate specialist.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in the service or ticketing system.
• Identify recurring questions or issues and propose improvements to enhance service quality.
• Maintain a professional, service-oriented appearance and contribute to a positive and safe working environment.
• Support the onboarding and training of new colleagues or student assistants.
• (Optional) Contribute to small-scale projects or communication activities related to the Service Point.