Research Associate (m/f/d)

Institute for

Remuneration according to guidelines of

ID 24226WV8

Start of employment March 1st, 2027

Application deadline December 9th, 2026

Scope fulltime, fixed term until February 28th, 2030

This position forms part of the research program on food-grade, bio-based, and biodegradable aerogels and their application in sustainable food systems. The selected candidate will be employed by and will be required to enroll as a PhD student at Hamburg University of Technology, in accordance with the relevant admission and enrolment requirements. The scientific project will focus on sub- section

DC15 – Doctoral Candidate: Interaction of Aerogels with Complex Food Media

The Candidate will investigate how food-grade aerogels interact with complex food environments such as syrups, oils, emulsions, sauces and semi-solid matrices. The project will establish mechanistic structure–property–function relationships describing dynamic processes including swelling, shrinkage, liquid uptake, softening and partial disintegration, which determine aerogel performance in stabilisation, controlled release, sensory modification and shelf-life enhancement. The candidate will combine advanced experimental characterisation with multiscale modelling. Surface and bulk properties, including polarity, hydrogen bonding, rigidity, pore structure, charge, sorption kinetics and viscoelasticity, will be analysed using ATR-FTIR, NMR relaxometry, DSC/TGA, BET analysis, rheology and dynamic sorption. Real-time changes in complex media will be studied using optical and X-ray imaging, swelling analysis, tribology and microfluidic tools. Modelling activities will include diffusion–sorption models, continuum mechanics, coarse-grained simulations and data-driven predictive approaches. The goal is to develop predictive tools and practical guidelines for selecting aerogels for specific food applications. Hosted at TU Hamburg within FAroGels, the project includes secondments at partners and projects as METU, Barilla and Aerofybers, providing complementary training in rheology, oral tribology and others

YOUR TASKS

• Conduct research on development, characterization and validatation of food-grade, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems
• Plan, perform, document and analyse experimental work using relevant laboratory, analytical, processing and/or modelling methods
• Participate actively in FAroGels network meetings, workshops, training schools, seminars and transferable-skills activities
• Undertake planned secondments at FAroGels partner organisations, as specified for the DC project
• Work collaboratively with academic and non-academic partners across the FAroGels network

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Researchers recruited within the Doctoral Network must be Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) and must not have a doctoral degree. Additionaly, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization (here: Germany) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment date. Doctoral candidates funded by the Doctoral Networks can be of any nationality and should be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree.

YOUR PROFILE

Requirements

• Completed scientific university studies (masters degree or equivalent considerably above average), in particular in the subject Chemical Engineering, focus on food engineering and/or thermal separation processes is advantageous

Desired knowledge and personal skills

• Strong laboratory and analytical skills, specific analytics are among others, adsorption isotherm and surface investigations, optical –metrical measurement
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken B2/C1) is required, good skills of german language for day to day conversations is recommended
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative research activities
• Willingness for instructing and supporting undergraduate students

OUR OFFER

• Scientific qualification with the opportunity to pursue a PhD
• interesting, friendly and appreciative research environment
• Intensive induction/onboarding
• Comprehensive training and further education programs

At the heart of TU Hamburg’s research, teaching and transfer of technology is the guiding principle of developing technology for people. The TU Hamburg sees itself in this context as a family-friendly and sustainable university with high performance and quality standards that strives for excellence in all its research fields. Interdisciplinarity, innovation, regionality and internationality are binding principles in our actions. With currently around 8.000 students, 110 professors and 1.650 employees, the TU Hamburg is characterised by short decision-making processes and close cooperation between the board, the institutes, the deans of studies, the research areas and the administration. We identify ourselves with a modern leadership culture and cultivate appreciative interaction.

Note regarding the Standard Enquiry under Section 34a of the Hamburg Security Clearance Act:
The department will submit an enquiry to the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution regarding any information it holds on the person selected in the recruitment process, provided that the legal requirements are met ( and ).

For further information please contact Prof. Irina Smirnova, Tel.-Nr. +49 40 30601 3040, Email: .

We value diversity, therefore all applications are welcome, regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, nationality, age, religion and belief, disability, sexual orientation and identity or social background.

The TU Hamburg stands for as well as

Please send your complete application documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae in table form, proof of completed training and/or university degree, job references or certificates of employment) via the online application system exclusively.