The Riddet Institute is a world-best research centre in food and nutritional sciences, providing fundamental scientific understanding and training for a new generation of science leaders. The Institute integrates partner organisations (Massey University (host), Auckland and Otago Universities, AgResearch and Plant and Food Research) and disciplines, leading a 'NZ Inc' approach to food research, and generates knowledge and capability that transforms the New Zealand food industry.
We are seeking high-achieving researchers to undertake three postdoctoral research projects as part of the Riddet Institute CoRE programme. This project is specifically around modelling the physical processes that underpin digestion of food broadly in modelling digestive processes.
Applicants must hold a PhD in a suitable discipline and demonstrated experience of previous postgraduate research relevant to one of these three topics. Applicants must clearly specify the project they are applying for and describe why they are the best candidate.
Main Supervisor: Professor R. Paul Singh, Riddet Institute, University of California Davis, California, USA.
Other Supervisors: Harjinder Singh, Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand and Dr Gail Bornhorst, Riddet Institute, University of California Davis, California, USA.
The Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Officer will form part of a multidisciplinary team in the empirical modelling of the breakdown of food in the gastrointestinal tract with research being undertaken at the Riddet Institute in Palmerston North, New Zealand and at the University of California Davis, USA.
The essence of this project will build on existing work to develop more advanced mechanical stomach and intestine simulators to dynamically mimic the physio-chemical actions of the human stomach and intestines. These simulators will be validated against in vivo data and utilised to characterise the digestive properties associated with different dietary conditions.
Advanced computational models of food particle breakdown will also be developed using information from mechanical simulators. Model development will utilise finite element, lattice Boltzmann and smooth particle hydrodynamic approaches to develop a rigorous understanding of the mechanical stresses to which complex and realistic food digesta systems are exposed.
The successful candidate will have completed a PhD in food, chemical or mechanical engineering or related disciplines with preference given to someone with expertise in computational modelling, equipment and process design engineering. Appointment will be for a 2 year term.
Applicants please send your CV including a statement of your research interests and goals and at least two referees, plus your university transcripts when uploading your application to the following website:
http://jobs.massey.ac.nzEmail enquiries regarding the position can be sent to
[email protected]Closing date: 7 January 2018
Reference number: A373-17JK
For further information and to apply online, visit:
http://massey-careers.massey.ac.nz/
