Senior lecturer​/Associate Professor* in Food Biotechnology

Senior lecturer/Associate Professor in Food Biotechnology Department of Molecular Sciences

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is a world‑class university in the bio‑ and environmental sciences, with a vision to play a key role in advancing sustainable living through science and education. SLU offers an attractive research environment distinguished by its uniquely broad and internationally leading research, with excellent opportunities for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration with research groups in the social sciences, economics, engineering, and other natural sciences.

The Department of Molecular Sciences at SLU Uppsala is seeking an Associate Professor (University Senior Lecturer) in Food Biotechnology. The department currently comprises approximately 90 staff members and, together with three other departments, forms an inspiring research environment  encompasses several interacting disciplines, including food science, biotechnology, microbiology, inorganic, physical and organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular structural biology, and natural products chemistry. Research at the department focuses on both applied and fundamental biological and chemical processes.

The department also collaborates with industrial partners in developing innovations of importance for the transition toward a sustainable society. The Food Biotechnology research area conducts research and education in sustainable food and feed production, circular economy, and the fundamental physiology and genetics of microorganisms, serving as a foundation for establishing new biotechnological processes for food and other biochemicals. Research within this field covers both traditional fermented foods and the introduction of novel raw materials into the food chain.

Methods employed include applied microbiology, advanced microbial physiology, fermentation technology, and downstream processing of microbial biomass, with a particular—though not exclusive—focus on yeasts, other microscopic fungi, and microbial consortia.

The department is equipped with advanced infrastructure, including modern fermentation equipment, food-grade laboratories, omics platforms, plant cultivation facilities, advanced microscopy and molecular biology facilities, as well as spectroscopy resources, including NMR spectroscopy. The department also participates in the national initiative SwedNMR.

Teaching within the department covers chemistry, food science, and microbiology at both undergraduate and advanced levels across degree programmes leading to, among others, agronomy, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

The department fosters an environment that actively encourages research collaborations with other departments within SLU, as well as with national and international partners.

The subject area encompasses food biotechnology, with a focus on the conversion of raw materials into food products primarily through the metabolic activity of microorganisms.

• develop and lead internationally successful research
• develop, lead and participate in teaching at first, second and third cycle level
• primarily teach in the areas of food science, microbiology, and biotechnology, as well as contribute to other teaching activities at first, second and third cycle level
• supervise doctoral students and contribute to the development of the postgraduate subjects biology and food science
• collaborate with other SLU research teams in order to strengthen interdisciplinary activities at the university
• develop and maintain national and international networks with academia, relevant public authorities, industry, organisations and society at large
• apply for external research funding
• contribute to the strategic development of the department, faculty…