Research Fellow, Food Material Science

• Full-time, Fixed-term position for 3 years
• Based at La Trobe University’s Melbourne (Bundoora) campus
• Competitive Salary including 17% Superannuation

About the position

The La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture & Food (LISAF) is a key strategic initiative that supports La Trobe University’s (La Trobe) world‐class research and research training in agriculture, agri-food and medicinal agriculture. Global population growth, combined with an increase in diet-related illness and the need for more nutritious highlight the need to integrate agri-food and health. LISAF takes advantage of the opportunities presented through this intersection between food supply and its impact on health to improve nutritional outcomes, leveraging the substantial investment by LTU in expertise and capability.

LISAF’s vision is to use a holistic approach to deliver innovative solutions for sustainable and nutritious food production in a resource and climate-constrained world, fostering outcome-focused research and education through its interdisciplinary research domains:

1. Farming systems – soils & agriculture,
2. Protected cropping –medicinal agriculture & horticulture,
3. Fit for purpose seeds,
4. Food nutrition & health, and
5. Food business & food security, and Digital Agriculture

To deliver on this vision, LISAF is establishing a “Centre for Food Science” which requires a Research Fellow Food Materials Science. This position contributes to the creation of discovery science and intellectual property (IP) by applying in-depth analytical technologies to understand and optimise the behaviour of plant-food materials (proteins, fats, carbohydrates). The appointee will be an expert in food material science and rheology with hands-on experience in the development of plant-based foods.

Skills and Experience

To be considered for this position, you will have

• Completed a PhD in an appropriate or related discipline of Food Science or equivalent qualifications or research experience.
• A record of publications, conference papers and/or reports, or professional or technical contributions which provide evidence of strong research potential.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, or co-supervise, Honours, Masters and/or PhD students.
• Sound analytical skills with an ability to communicate complex information clearly both orally and in writing.
• High level organisational skills: the ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, initiate and follow-up actions, all with minimal or no supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively with staff and students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• Ability to liaise effectively with a range of collaborators nationally and/or internationally and with industry partners.
• Experience in the preparation of research proposal submissions to external funding bodies and evidence of success in securing research funding.
• Experience in food rheology and the design of food products, preferably with experience in plant-based systems.
• Knowledge of protein science and protein texturisation technologies.
• Experience with handling sensitive information and dealing with intellectual property.
• Experience in technology transfer for the commercialisation of R&D results, with emphasis on scale-up challenges.

Please refer to the Position Description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.

Welcome to Bundoora campus – Please click on the video link below: 

https://f.io/KDo0ceng

Benefits:

• 17% employer contributed superannuation
• On site child care facilities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses

How to apply

Closing date: By 11:55 pm, Wednesday 14^th February 2024

Position Enquiries:

Tony Bacic, Professor of Plant Biology, Email: t.bacic@latrobe.edu.au  

Roman Buckow, Professor of Food Science, Email: roman.buckow@gmail.com

Recruitment Enquiries: Lisa White, Talent Acquisition Consultant, Email: lisa.white@latrobe.edu.au

Position Description below:

PD-Research Fellow - Food Material Sci.pdf

Only candidates with Full Working Rights in Australia may apply for this position.

Please submit an online application ONLY and include the following documents:

• Cover letter;
• An up to date resume; and
• A separate document addressing each bullet point under the Essential Criteria ‘Skills and knowledge required for the position’, which is located in the position description.

Please scroll down to apply.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants 

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.

All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005.  If you are successful, you will be required to hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.