Staff Scientist in Food and Meal Science

Umeå Universitet · Vollzeit

Umeå universitet, Umeå, Schweden

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. The university offers a wide range of high-quality education programs and conducts world-leading research across several scientific fields. Here, the groundbreaking discovery of the gene scissors CRISPR-Cas9 was made, an achievement that was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At Umeå University, everything is close at hand. Our cohesive campus makes it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering a dynamic and open culture. The social transformation and major green investments we see in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, this means conducting research about – and within – a transforming society. It also means delivering education for regions that need to expand rapidly and sustainably. This is simply where the future is created. Are you interested in learning more? Read more about Umeå University as a workplace. Description The Department of Food and Meal Science seeks a Staff Scientist to work on the EU-funded research project FlavourFerm. The project studies sociocultural conditions for acceptance and adoption of fermented plant-based foods. The position is full-time for 9 months, starting October 1, 2026, or by agreement. The application deadline is September 25, 2026. Learn more at the project website flavourferm.eu Duties Work will primarily be conducted within the FlavourFerm research project. Work on other research projects may also occur. Duties will include data collection, processing and analysis of data, and co-authoring scientific articles. Work will be performed independently and include qualitative data collection through interviews, processing, analysis and quality assurance of data, as well as collection of sensory data. Duties also include being an active and supportive resource within the project, including collaboration with international experts participating in the project. The role includes organizing culinary workshops, some project reporting and communication with project partners, and developing educational and training materials related to fermented plant-based foods. Additional duties may include teaching and/or administrative work. Duties may change over time. Qualifications Doctorate in Food and Meal Science, preferably with a focus on gastronomy or sensory science, or equivalent. Strong knowledge in qualitative methods and analysis. Experience leading workshops. Research experience relevant to gastronomy and sensory science. It is also meritorious to have an understanding of sensory consumer studies. Experience working on large interdisciplinary research projects or EU projects is meritorious. Very strong ability to express yourself in both Swedish and English is required, and knowledge of other project-relevant European languages is meritorious. We seek an engaged, responsible, and creative person with strong motivation for research. The position requires good ability to work in a team as well as the ability to work independently. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability and collaboration skills, including with external partners. Terms The position is based in Umeå. The employment is full-time with start date October 1, 2026, or by agreement. Application The application should include: A personal letter explaining your interest in the position, describing your qualifications, and explaining how these are relevant to the duties (1–2 pages). A curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list including DOI where relevant. Certificates for your doctorate and/or other relevant degrees and course transcripts. Copies of other degree certificates, a list of completed academic courses and grades. Contact information for at least two references. Other documents the applicant wishes to submit. Applications must be submitted through the e-recruitment system Varbi and received by September 25, 2026. For further information, contact research leader Joachim Sundqvist [email protected], 090-786 51 67, or department head Carita Bengs, [email protected], 090-786 78 19. Umeå University aims to offer an equal and inclusive environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives forms the foundation for learning, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences for this position. To recruitment and staffing companies and sales representatives: We kindly but firmly decline direct contact from recruitment and staffing companies as well as sellers of additional job listings.