Job Description

Exciting Research Associate position to work on a funded grant project ‘Valorisation of extracted phytochemical compounds and oligosaccharides in preparation of functional dairy products and novel spreads’ as part of Functional food development and value generation from local agricultural by-product.

The ideal candidate is expected to be enthusiastic and innovative minded especially in the area of food and will be working in Department of Food, Nutrition and Health. This position is fully funded from the 2-year funded grant. The project is a UAEU based research activity in collaboration with University in UK and Commercial industry in Australia.

The role involves exploring novel extraction technology from plant by-products for mining phyto-compounds. Such compounds will require identification, purification, quantification and testing to ensure bio-availability and activity in-vitro and in-vivo. Studies will be conducted to evaluate shelf life of the extracted phyto-compounds, enhancement of their shelf life and means to maintain stability of their bio-activity. Such mined phyto-compounds will be designed into dairy products and spreadable products. The developed edible products will be evaluated for fortified phyto-compounds, efficacy of bio-activity and sensorial acceptability. The impact of such inclusion in food products would also be evaluated on their microbiota. The candidate is expected to work independently in the laboratory and pilot laboratory conditions, have exceptional people skills/ communication skills to work in small team and be a part of the larger group in the faculty. The project would suit a candidate with experience in food science, food chemistry/ biochemistry, microbiology with strong laboratory skills preferably with some experience in food product development.

The position is available immediately and the starting date is April 2020. Please note that the successful candidate must have a first-class Master’s degree by thesis or equivalent. The candidate will have to work independently in a laboratory conditions and is expected to have good manuscript writing skills.

If this sounds like you, apply today with a covering letter detailing why you would be suitable for this position and include a full Curriculum vitae (Resumé), with academic transcripts and 2 to 3 referee contact details , two recommendation letters and statements of research skills related to the research project.

Contact PI: Dr. Raman K Bhaskaracharya (ramankumarb@uaeu.ac.ae)

Starting date: April 2020.

Minimum Qualification

Applicant must have an earned Master’s Degree in Food Science/Nutrition or related discipline.

Preferred Qualification

Master’s Degree in Food Science with thesis on relevant topic to the project (preferable). A candidate well experienced in extracting, characterizing and exploring nutraceutical properties of bio-active compounds will be preferred.

Expected Skills/Rank/Experience

Candidate should have prior experience including setting up a laboratory.

Special Instructions to Applicant

Apply today with a covering letter detailing why you would be suitable for this position, and include a full CV and other documents as listed above

Division College of Food & Agriculture-(CFA)

Department Food Science - (CFA)

Job Close Date 31-05-2020

Job Category Academic - Research Assistant

Salary AED 5000 - 8300