We are looking for two PhD students who will work on development of methodology and approaches for in-depth characterisation of food molecules using advanced ion mobility mass spectrometry. The Laboratory of Food Chemistry (FCH) at Wageningen University has recently obtained a state-of-the-art cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry system, first of its kind to be installed in the Netherlands, which is to be used for analyses of complex food(-related) systems. This mass spectrometer features unparalleled ion mobility resolution and flexibility, which offers exciting and challenging new opportunities for the separation and characterisation of structurally closely related food molecules (e.g. isomers).

Separation and characterisation of non-volatile molecules in complex food systems is usually performed by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to various detectors, the most powerful and versatile of which is mass spectrometry (MS). However, even though LC and MS technologies have evolved, making ultra-high performance LC (UHPLC) and high resolution MS (HRMS) the new standards in the field of food analysis, many challenges in separation and characterisation of structurally closely related food molecules have not yet been successfully tackled. Ion mobility introduces an additional dimension in mass spectrometry, and the latest iteration of this technique is cyclic ion mobility (cIM). The flexible nature and high resolution of cIM is a major step forward in ion mobility MS, and will enable us to achieve unprecedented performance for in-depth food analysis. In these projects, we aim to develop methodologies and approaches for characterisation of selected food molecules by exploiting the power of an integrated UHPLC-cIM-HRMS system. In this respect, we will focus our efforts on two distinct groups of food molecules: (i) polar oligosaccharides and (ii) apolar lipids & phytochemicals. Oligosaccharides are of interest for the food industry due to their bioactive properties (e.g. as prebiotics and as antennas of food glycoproteins) and as means to sequence polysaccharides after (enzymatic) degradation into diagnostic fragments. Lipids (e.g. triacylglycerides & phospholipids) and phytochemicals (e.g. triterpenoids & carotenoids) are important apolar constituents of many plant raw materials and food products, and they are prone to (undesired) modifications (e.g. oxidation) that affect the quality of these products. Oligosaccharides, lipids, and phytochemicals are highly diverse groups of molecules. These groups have in common that they are present as complex mixtures in food, including a high number of isomeric structures, which have proven to be challenging to separate by currently available LC-MS approaches.
With these projects we aim to further our capabilities and expertise in the field of food analysis with a focus on the aforementioned groups of food molecules. To this end, the PhD students will primarily perform in-depth mass spectrometric analyses on our state-of-the-art UHPLC-cIM-MS system.

For these two positions we are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:

• An MSc degree in Analytical Chemistry, (Food) Chemistry, Biotechnology or Molecular Life Sciences and experience with mass spectrometry. Practical experience with high resolution mass spectrometry and/or carbohydrate, lipid, or phytochemical chemistry will strongly add to the suitability of a candidate;
• excellent research skills;
• ability to collaborate with other researchers and support their analytical endeavours;
• excellent communication skills and proficiency in English (both oral and written).

We offer you a position at the Laboratory of Food Chemistry which consists of a dynamic international group of food chemists; state-of-the-art infrastructure to conduct your research; close national and international collaborations with other researchers, especially with collaborating partners. The position encompasses enrolment in an excellent program to further develop your scientific education leading to a PhD degree, which includes dedicated courses, training, and conferences.

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2.395,- in the first year rising up to € 3.061,- per month in the fourth year. We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural end-of year bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours that we determine together in good consultation;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes, e.g. the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra for extra leave;
• a flexible model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace on the Wageningen Campus;
• make use of the sports facilities on campus for a small fee.

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with our internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for personal initiative in a learning environment. With us you get a versatile job in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

The Laboratory of Food Chemistry (FCH) engages in teaching and research on the chemical aspects related to processing of raw materials into foods, digestion of foods in the gastro-intestinal tract, and on the efficient conversion of biomass remaining after processing. The research of FCH is divided in six areas, i.e. (i) dietary carbohydrates, (ii) lignocellulosics, (iii) lipids, (iv) phytochemicals, (v) plant antimicrobials, and (vi) proteins, and has state-of-the-art infrastructure to facilitate the research. Our mission is to quantify individual molecules in complex mixtures, to understand their reactivity and properties, to adjust their properties by clever processing (e.g. enzymes, fermentation), and to predict the behaviour of mixtures of such molecules in applications. The courses offered by FCH feature isolation, analysis, properties, and modification of key molecules in agricultural raw materials and food. FCH has an excellent reputation in developing digital learning materials to support laboratory classes and distance learning programs. FCH is a dynamic international team comprising around 15 staff members, 25 PhD students and post-docs, and 40 BSc and MSc thesis students annually. More information on our team can be found at: http://www.WageningenUR.nl/fch.

The mission of our University is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 6,500 employees, and 12,000 students, it is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen. We have been named Best Employer in Education category 2019-2020.

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