Research Manager in Food Process Technology and Production Engineering - DTU Food

Are you passionate about food processing, food physics, and enabling high-quality research through strong scientific leadership and hands-on expertise?

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Research Manager to join the Research Group for Food Production Engineering at DTU National Food Institute. This position plays a key role in the scientific, technical, and operational management of our food physics laboratories and food processing facilities, supporting cutting-edge research in protein and food ingredient functionality and processing.

The position is designed to provide continuity and leadership within the group’s research infrastructure and to strengthen our capabilities in experimental food process technology.

The job
As Research Manager, you will be responsible for the daily organisation, coordination, and scientific management of laboratory and pilot-scale activities within food physics and food process technology. Your work will support research focused on the physical chemistry of proteins and food ingredient interactions, and how these are affected by food processing operations.

You will be expected to work hands-on in the laboratory and processing facilities, while also taking a proactive role in method development, implementation of new technologies, and optimisation of experimental and processing workflows. The position involves close collaboration with the Head of Research Group, project leaders, researchers, students, and external partners, including industry.

A key aspect of the role is to ensure that experimental procedures, analytical methods, and processing trials are conducted to the highest scientific, technical, and safety standards.

Our expectations of you
Your overall focus will be to ensure high-quality experimental research and efficient operation of food physics laboratories and food processing units within the research group. Your primary responsibilities include:

• Daily coordination and management of laboratory and pilot-scale food processing activities
• Hands-on experimental work in food physics laboratories, including chromatographic methods, rheological characterisation, SEM and CLSM imaging and physical chemistry studies of proteins and food ingredient interactions
• Operation, development, and support of food processing unit operations, such as spray drying technology and related processing equipment
• Introduction, evaluation, and implementation of new analytical methods, experimental approaches, and processing technologies
• Development, optimization, and documentation of laboratory and processing protocols
• Assist with supervision, training, and mentoring of BSc and MSc students, PhD fellows, postdoctoral researchers, visitors, and technical staff in laboratory techniques and processing methods
• Active participation in ongoing research projects, including collaboration with internal and external (industrial) partners
• Preparation and presentation of experimental results at project meetings and research forums, including preparation of figures, slides, and technical documentation
• Contribution to the strategic development and long-term operation of laboratory and pilot-scale research infrastructure within food process technology

Qualifications

• PhD with substantial research experience in food technology.
• Strong background in food processing and food physics, including protein chemistry and food ingredient interactions
• Proven hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as chromatography, rheology, physical chemistry-based and microstructure characterization methods
• Experience with food processing unit operations, preferably pilot scale ultrasonication, spray drying, fermentation, extraction and related technologies
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and optimize laboratory and processing protocols
• Experience in supervision, training, and coordination of students and research staff
• Strong organizational skills and a structured approach to laboratory and research management
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
• Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across disciplines and with external partners

What we offer in return
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international atmosphere with the focus on research, teaching, innovation and scientific advice for the benefit of the surrounding community. We place emphasis on a high level of professionalism among our staff, so skills development is an integral part of our organization. We offer a great flexibility in the position. In the area of technical and natural sciences, DTU is one of the leading research and education institutions in Europe.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). 

The period of employment is two years The position is a full-time position. Starting date is 1 April 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus. 

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than 12 March 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates. 

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Associate Professor and Head of Research Group, Mohammadamin Mohammadifar on moamo@food.dtu.dk

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health, develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling, and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 390 staff members.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.