Postdoctoral Scholar

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

A one-year Postdoctoral Scholar position for the project "Determination of milk coagulation and gelation properties by high frequency ultrasound wave speed and amplitude changes" is available in the Food Science Department at The Pennsylvania State University (University Park). The project is funded by the National Dairy Council (NDC) - Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), and overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The objective in this one-year project is to develop a method for the early detection of milk coagulation and gelation in a range of potential applications. The project is a collaborative effort between Dr. Federico Harte (Department of Food Science) and Dr. Andrea Arguelles (Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics). The team will test the use of high frequency (20 to 100 MHz) ultrasonic contact/non-contact transducers for the early detection of acid coagulation, enzymatic gelation, and heat coagulation time in milk systems. Preliminary tests suggest that novel ultrasonic transducers operating in the high MHz range are powerful tools for the non-destructive determination of early micellar aggregation leading to milk gelation/coagulation, and good predictors of shelf-life stability in concentrated protein food products.

Interested applicants must have a Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering, Food Science, or related fields completed by the start date. Background in food rheology and physical chemistry are desired, as well as hands-on experience in working with transducers, data loggers, and LabView. The successful applicant will have access to modern research laboratories and pilot plants in the Food Science and Materials Science and Engineering Departments, as well as access to the Huck Institute of Life Sciences, the Materials Research Institute, and the Penn State Engineering shop services.

Applicants should have a strong publication record, exhibit creativity in their work, and enjoy collaborative interactions. The position should be filled after November 15, 2024, for one year with renewal based on performance. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Interested applicants must upload a CV, names of three professional references and cover letter describing research interests and career goals. Application materials should be addressed to Dr. Federico Harte (fmh14@psu.edu).

Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with Penn State University policies.

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