Are you passionate about food processing, modelling and improving health through smarter food systems? Join a cutting-edge PhD project that blends food processing, artificial intelligence (AI), modelling, and experimental science to explore how food processing impacts the quality profile of ultra-processed foods.
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join our interdisciplinary team at the Research Group for Food Production Engineering, DTU National Food Institute.
As a PhD student, you will develop AI-integrated models to simulate and predict how processing affects food quality. You will validate these models through pilot-scale trials and investigate the chemical, biochemical, and physical transformations that occur during processing—decoding the hidden signatures of processing intensity. Your work will address key challenges, contributing to new insights and a framework for ultra-processed foods (UPFs) based on processing effects. The project offers close collaboration with other research groups at DTU National Food Institute, aiming to build new knowledge and a framework for UPFs based on processing. The successful candidate will contribute to developing science-based frameworks and smarter, more sustainable food design strategies that support healthier outcomes for both industry innovation and consumers.
Responsibilities
Your overall focus will be to develop models, analyse and optimise the processing of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) using AI-integrated tools and experimental validation. You will create predictive models for key unit operations and assess their effect on representative food products and conduct pilot-scale trials to validate their outcomes. A central goal is to identify and model the processing impacts, investigate how processing intensity affects UPF quality, and generate insights to guide future food process design and classification.
Your primary responsibilities are:
Qualifications
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education
.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Mohammad Amin Mohammadifar and Associate Professor Aberham Hailu Feyissa.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.
The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 March 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health, develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling, and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 375 staff members.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.