Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Food Science programme. The position is available from 01 July 2026 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.
Title
PhD position: VOC-based detection of incipient mold growth in plant-based food storage systems
Research area and project description
The project focuses on improving early detection of mold growth in stored plant-based foods using volatile organic compound (VOC) monitoring. It addresses key challenges related to food safety, quality preservation, and the reduction of food waste in bulk storage systems.
Plant-based foods are commonly stored in large quantities to ensure a stable year-round supply. However, such storage systems carry a significant risk of financial losses and food waste due to mold growth, and, in some cases, the production of mycotoxins that pose serious food safety risks. Existing detection methods, such as temperature monitoring, are limited in their ability to identify early-stage mold activity, particularly when mold growth is spatially confined or when metabolic heat production is minimal.
The PhD project will focus on developing and applying VOC-based methods to detect incipient mold growth across a range of plant-based food systems. A method based on VOCs emitted by mold represents a promising alternative to conventional detection techniques, but its application remains limited due to variability across substrates and species, as well as challenges related to analytical sensitivity.
Core elements of the project include:
1. Identification of VOC fingerprints at trace concentration levels across diverse plant-based foods (grains, legumes, nuts, coffee, and fresh fruit and vegetables) by headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS).
2. Investigation of the interaction between plant-based foods, mold species, mycotoxins, and VOC release.
3. Identification of key VOC markers with potential for industrial application in early mold detection systems.
4. Monitoring of the dynamic release of VOC markers during mold development using proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS).
5. Participation in in situ studies at commercial companies across Denmark and collaboration with Danish and international project partners.
The overall objective of the project is to advance the technology readiness level of VOC-based detection of mold growth in food storage systems and support the development of cost-effective sensor solutions for real-time monitoring of mold.
This PhD project is offered by the Department of Food Science at Aarhus University and is financially supported by Plant2Food.
Project description
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.
Qualifications and specific competences
Applicants must have a relevant master’s degree (120 ECTS) in food science, analytical chemistry, mycology, or related fields before the start date.
We seek candidates with the following qualifications:
- Strong analytical skills, particularly with VOC analysis using GC-MS/PTR-MS
- Have an interest in mycology, toxicology, or another related research
- Be fluent in English (both written and spoken)
- Have good writing and communication skills.
- Have an interest in plant-based foods.
Place of employment and place of work
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Food Science, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N., Denmark.
Contacts
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
- Merete Edelenbos, merete.edelenbos@food.au.dk (main supervisor)
- Alexandru Luca, luca@food.au.dk (co-supervisor)
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:
How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.
Application deadline is 19 May 2026 at 23:59 .
Preferred starting date is 01 July 2026.
Please note:
- Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be considered.
- The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
- Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Aarhus Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Aarhus Universitet, Nordre Ringgade, 8000 Aarhus C
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 19-05-2026;
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