Postdoc in “Structural and Functional Analysis of Casein Micelles Under Simulated Processing Conditions by SAXS”
Are you interested in advanced X-ray characterization of complex biological nanostructures? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge research in dairy protein functionality and supramolecular structure?
The Department of Chemistry and interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) at Aarhus University invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position within the QforCAS project. The project focuses on understanding and controlling the structure of the casein micelle (CM), a key component in dairy systems, under various simulated processing conditions. The project will be caried out in close collaboration with Department of Food Science at Aarhus University and Arla Foods Ingredients, which are partners of the QforCAS project.
Applicants should hold a PhD in physical chemistry, material science or similar related subjects and have experience and expertise in small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS) including advance SAXS data analysis and modelling.
The following qualifications are also important:
The place of work is iNANO, the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (www.inano.au.dk), which was established in 2002 and at present is a major research and education center based at Aarhus University hosting 60 senior scientists, ~100 postdocs and ~100 PhD students.
The center combines expertise and faculty from Physics, Chemistry, Molecular biology and Medicine to carry out world-class interdisciplinary research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The center gives access to a broad range of infrastructure, tools and expertise including clean-room facilities.
With a 5-year undergraduate nanotechnology program and nanoscience graduate program (www.inanoschool.au.dk), the center provides a full educational environment. In addition to the large base of basic research, the center has a large number of ongoing industrial projects and partnerships.
The project will take place within the Soft Matter group, who focuses on biophysical and soft matter research and makes extensive use of scattering methods for structural investigations. The group operates world-class in-house laboratory instrumentation for small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and light scattering.
The place of work is Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
The Department of Chemistry and interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) at Aarhus University invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position within the QforCAS project. The project focuses on understanding and controlling the structure of the casein micelle (CM), a key component in dairy systems, under various simulated processing conditions. The project will be caried out in close collaboration with Department of Food Science at Aarhus University and Arla Foods Ingredients, which are partners of the QforCAS project.
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a fix-termed position for 2 years starting 01 December, 2025 or as soon possible thereafter.
Job description
- You will perform structural characterization of casein micelles and related dairy protein systems using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and light scattering.
- You will contribute to the development of new SAXS analysis methods and experimental protocols.
- You will contribute to preparation of the samples, e.g. varying concentration, applying membrane filtration, drying, rehydration, salt addition, pH adjustment, and temperature.
- You will contribute to determining physicochemical properties of casein micelles, ultimately affecting the functionality of casein-based ingredients.
- You will interact and work in collaboration with the partners of the QforCAS.
- You will write scientific publications on the work and present it at national and international conferences.
Your profile
Applicants should hold a PhD in physical chemistry, material science or similar related subjects and have experience and expertise in small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS) including advance SAXS data analysis and modelling.The following qualifications are also important:
- Have a good understanding of advanced physical-chemical analytical techniques
- Experience with in-house SAXS and Large scale facilities SAXS (from proposal writing to execution of experiments and data analysis for the latter)
- Experience with protein purification
- Advanced knowledge in research design and methods (running extensive experimental studies)
- Familiarity with practices of transparency and open science
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate and communicate in academia and to the public at large
- Experience and interest in training and supervising junior scientists
- Efficient at planning and organizing major tasks
- Documented experience in writing research publication
- Curiosity-driven interest in investigating the structure-function relationships of food biomacromolecules, and evaluate the importance of structuring the foods of the future.
- A high level of verbal and written communication in English;
- Practical abilities to carry out experimental research, and excited to develop new experimental setups.
- Demonstrated ability to carry out research independently;
- Good interpersonal skills, the ability to thrive in a diverse, multidisciplinary environment, and the ability to disseminate scientific results.
Who we are
The place of work is iNANO, the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (www.inano.au.dk), which was established in 2002 and at present is a major research and education center based at Aarhus University hosting 60 senior scientists, ~100 postdocs and ~100 PhD students.The center combines expertise and faculty from Physics, Chemistry, Molecular biology and Medicine to carry out world-class interdisciplinary research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The center gives access to a broad range of infrastructure, tools and expertise including clean-room facilities.
With a 5-year undergraduate nanotechnology program and nanoscience graduate program (www.inanoschool.au.dk), the center provides a full educational environment. In addition to the large base of basic research, the center has a large number of ongoing industrial projects and partnerships.
The project will take place within the Soft Matter group, who focuses on biophysical and soft matter research and makes extensive use of scattering methods for structural investigations. The group operates world-class in-house laboratory instrumentation for small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and light scattering.
What we offer
The department offers:- excellent research infrastructure
- an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, and international collaborators
- a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
- a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
- a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. Contact information
For further information, please contact: Prof. Jan Skov Pedersen, +45 21805067, jsp@chem.au.dkApplication 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
Natural 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.
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
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/
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Deadline: 30 September 2025
Academic contact person:
Jan Skov Pedersen
Professor
jsp@chem.au.dk
+4587155921
+4587155921
Vacant positions: 1
Hours per week: 37
Number of months: 24
Expected date of accession: 01 December 2025
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