18-months Postdoctoral Position in Sensory Science
The Department of Food Science at Aarhus University invites applications for an 18-months postdoctoral position in sensory science with focus on sensory evaluation methodologies of large-product sets, lexicon development, use of instrumental techniques to correlate or predict sensory characteristics and multivariate data analysis. This position is part of an interdisciplinary research project funded by Plant2Food (Of Novo Nordisk Foundation), aimed at identifying and evaluating soybean accessions with high adaptability potential to Danish growing conditions. The project combines genomic, sensory, metabolomic and consumer analyses in an effort to unravel the characteristics of approximately 250 accessions of edamame beans and assess important attributes for consumer liking and factors affecting purchase intent, as well as understanding if the genomic variation of the studied accessions can predict the variability of their sensory and metabolomic properties.
We are seeking a motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher with a background in sensory and consumer research, having experience with instrumental techniques and ideally experience with interdisciplinary research. The project aims to advance local edamame production to meet the growing demand for fresh, nutritious and tasty plant-based food. To do that, the project’s objectives are: to identify soybean accessions with high adaptability potential to Danish growing conditions; evaluate the adaptability of these accessions and investigate their genetic background; Uncover the genomic, metabolomic and sensory architecture of edamame taste and understanding consumer preferences The consortium consists of industry partners and scientists with competences in metabolomics, sensory analysis, germplasm conservation, and genetics.
The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing relevant research, designing and conducting large-scale sensory and consumer studies, analyzing data, and generating insights that contribute to relevant scientific knowledge.
The position, part of both the Science Team of Differentiated and Biofunctional Foods and the Science Team of Food Quality Perception and Society, sits at the intersection of food science, sustainability, and consumer research, and aligns with the Department’s broader mission to support sustainable food systems through science-based innovation.
Key responsibilities:
We are looking for candidates who offer:
We are seeking a motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher with a background in sensory and consumer research, having experience with instrumental techniques and ideally experience with interdisciplinary research. The project aims to advance local edamame production to meet the growing demand for fresh, nutritious and tasty plant-based food. To do that, the project’s objectives are: to identify soybean accessions with high adaptability potential to Danish growing conditions; evaluate the adaptability of these accessions and investigate their genetic background; Uncover the genomic, metabolomic and sensory architecture of edamame taste and understanding consumer preferences The consortium consists of industry partners and scientists with competences in metabolomics, sensory analysis, germplasm conservation, and genetics.
The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing relevant research, designing and conducting large-scale sensory and consumer studies, analyzing data, and generating insights that contribute to relevant scientific knowledge.
The position, part of both the Science Team of Differentiated and Biofunctional Foods and the Science Team of Food Quality Perception and Society, sits at the intersection of food science, sustainability, and consumer research, and aligns with the Department’s broader mission to support sustainable food systems through science-based innovation.
Expected start date
The position is expected to start 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.Key responsibilities:
- Designing and conducting large-scale sensory and consumer studies
- Analyzing and interpreting sensory, consumer and instrumental data
- Evaluating consumer preferences and perception for a variety of different accessions
- Using instrumental data to correlate and predict sensory and furthermore consumer insights
- Working within an interdisciplinary project team
- Ensuring compliance with GDPR, data security protocols, and ethical standards, including preparation of ethical applications and contribution to data management plans
- Publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and contributing to project deliverables
- Engaging with academic, industry, and policy stakeholders to disseminate findings.
We are looking for candidates who offer:
- A PhD in sensory science/consumer science/food science/food chemistry with a focus in sensory perception and evaluation or related discipline
- Proven experience in panel leading, sensory methodology and data management
- Solid knowledge of statistical methods as applied to sensory testing and consumer research; experience with key software such as XLSTAT, R, SPSS or similar
- Multivariate data analysis skills (sensory, consumer and instrumental data)
- Familiarity with instrumental techniques e.g. NMR, GC-MS and general lab experience will be a plus
- Experience in interdisciplinary and/or industry-collaborative projects will be a plus
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
- A track record of peer-reviewed publications
- Soft skills: team-oriented, flexibility and adaptability, project management, ability to communicate clearly and efficiently.
What we offer
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
- A vibrant, international, and interdisciplinary research environment at one of Europe’s leading food science departments
- Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and collaboration with experts in food structure, technology, and sustainability
- Opportunities for career development and international networking
- A strong support system for academic publishing and grant development
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Associate Professor, Ulrik Kræmer Sundekilde, +45 22479963, uksundekilde@food.au.dk
For further information, please contact: Associate Professor, Ulrik Kræmer Sundekilde, +45 22479963, uksundekilde@food.au.dk
Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.
Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.
If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk
Formalities and salary range
Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.
Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.
Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
Share in your network
Deadline: 12 January 2026
Academic contact person:
Ulrik Kræmer Sundekilde
Lektor
uksundekilde@food.au.dk
+4522479963
Vacant positions: 1
Hours per week: 37
Number of months: 18
Expected date of accession: 01 April 2026
AARHUS UNIVERSITET
Nordre Ringgade 1
8000 Aarhus
Email: au@au.dk
Tlf: 8715 0000
CVR-nr: 31119103
Nordre Ringgade 1
8000 Aarhus
Email: au@au.dk
Tlf: 8715 0000
CVR-nr: 31119103