Job Description

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in plant bioactive research with experience in bioactive encapsulation, stability, and targeted release? Are you interested in the translation of research into real-world applications to benefit animal health and productivity? 

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our research team to investigate the benefits of plant bioactive compounds on animal productivity in a collaborative project with academic and industrial partners. The project addresses the huge wastage of plant crops that occurs at present at the farm production and processing stage, through the development of innovative and sustainable valorisation strategies that convert agri-food waste streams into next-generation feed additives to increase animal health and productivity.

In particular, you will focus on the encapsulation and targeted release of bioactives paired with functional biopolymers and work with our industrial partners on sourcing the bioactives and biopolymers as well as the scale-up of selected bioactive fractions as feed ingredients. The efficacy of the developed formulations towards improving gut health and animal health will be evaluated in subsequent feeding experiments at the National Pig Centre, University of Leeds Spen Farm. It is expected that you will contribute to the delivery of the trials and the analysis of biological samples.

The project combines different academic disciplines, including food chemistry, biopolymer and food colloids, animal production, molecular nutrition, and it comprises a consortium of several industrial and academic partners in the agri-food space.

You will have a strong background in experimental plant bioactive i.e. polyphenol research, with good analytical skills, e.g. chromatography and bioactivity screening, and knowledge of intestinal availability and metabolism. You will also have experience in different approaches to encapsulate and stabilise bioactives and determine gastrointestinal release.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Christine Bosch, Associate Professor in Nutrition

Email: [email protected]