PhD in Metamaterial Food Design: Structured Texture & Flavor

University of Exeter; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PhD stipend £21,805 p.a.

Fees funded

Job summary

The University of Exeter invites applications for a funded PhD studentship focused on food texture and mouthfeel, applying metamaterials-inspired design principles. The project blends experimental analysis with modelling to advance understanding of oral processing.

You will engage in optical microscopy, 3D printing, spectroscopy and mastication modelling, with a placement at Mondelēz's R&D site and Innovation Lab, delivering insights into texture and flavour release.

Qualifications

• Experience with microscopy techniques and texture analysis is advantageous.
• Familiarity with patterning/structuring in food or materials science is desirable.
• Ability to work across experimental and modelling approaches.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the microstructure of food bolus using optical microscopy under chewing-like forces.
• Use 3D printing to create structured, patterned food products for testing.
• Apply infrared spectroscopy and chromatography to study nutrient properties and flavour release.
• Develop mastication models using finite element and analytical methods.
• Spend time at Mondelēz's R&D site and Innovation Lab on the University of Reading campus.

Skills

Optical microscopy

3D printing

Infrared spectroscopy

Chromatography

Finite element modelling

Analytical modelling

Tools

Metamaterials design

Job description

The University of Exeter invites applications for a funded PhD studentship focused on food texture and mouthfeel, applying metamaterials-inspired design principles. The project blends experimental analysis with modelling to advance understanding of oral processing.

You will engage in optical microscopy, 3D printing, spectroscopy and mastication modelling, with a placement at Mondelēz's R&D site and Innovation Lab, delivering insights into texture and flavour release.