SENIOR RESEARCHER ON FOOD

TECHNOLOGY

About IRTA

IRTA is a research institute owned by the Government of ascribed to the Department of Agriculture and Livestock. It is regulated by Law 04/2009, passed by the Catalan Parliament on 15 April 2009, and it is ruled by private regulations. IRTA is one of the CERCA centers of excellence of the Catalan Research System.

IRTA’s purpose is to contribute to the modernization, competitiveness and sustainable development of agriculture, food and aquaculture sectors, the supply of healthy and quality foods for consumers and, generally, improving the welfare and prosperity of the society.

THE PROGRAM OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY

This Program is focused on answering the technological and research requirements of the agro-food industry. It has three main research lines: Food Engineering, Processes in the food industry, New process technologies.

The Food Engineering research line works on: modelling transformation processes of food; transport operations (mass, heat and quantity of movement); process simulation and control; process engineering.

Their scopes are:

 Drying Engineering studies the optimization of the traditional processes and the development of new drying systems. Optimization of traditional processes works in the modelling of mass transfer processes and transformation kinetics of foods in order to enhance their quality and energetic efficiency.  New Technologies Engineering studies food packaging, transformation and preservation.  Control systems are applied to raw material, processes and products

The Processes in the Food Industry research line focuses on the improvement of traditional technologies in order to enhance quality, safety and sensorial characteristics of the product or the efficiency of the process.

Their scopes are:

 Food Drying: Study of the changes caused by the drying process in the product (nutritional, microbiological stability, texture, sensory quality…) and the interaction between the product and the applied technology (traditional or innovating), optimizing selection criteria of raw materials and the variables of the drying process for each product.  Pre-cooked food: Technical advice for companies of the sector and research companies.  Food Sensory Analysis and consumer studies.  Nutritional improvement: Sodium reduction, fat substitution, probiotics addition, reduction of nitrifiers.  Food Packaging: Interaction between packaging materials and foodstuffs, shelf life, modified atmospheres, active packages….

The New process technologies research line focuses on the application of new technologies that have not been used traditionally in the transformation, control and preservation of foodstuffs.

Their scopes are:

 High pressure: Introducing this technology in food processing to increase food safety and the preservation of sensory and nutritional characteristics.  Microwaves and Radiofrequency: Evaluation of these technologies as a substitute for conventional thermal treatments in different fields of the agro- food sector.  Computed Tomography. Nuclear magnetic resonance and NIR Spectroscopy: Adaptation of food analysis technology. Incorporation of this technology in one- line control systems.  Development of new technologies to optimize foodstuffs drying: Quick drying of sliced products (QDS), on-line control of product quality and energetic optimization (dynamic dryer), …  Adaptation of packages to new technologies: study of packages requirements to be used in new technologies.

IRTA has recently enlarged dairy facilities to perform private contractual and public founded research, and the new position will work to boost new projects and private contracts in the frame of following topics:

 Milk and whey concentration and spry drying.  New processing technologies applied to dairy industry.  Protein fractionation through membrane technology.  Development of new concepts on dairy products Alternatively, other similar subjects. The work place will be in Monells (), where laboratories and pilot plants are available.

ROLE PROFILE

IRTA is currently seeking an experienced researcher, with initiative and leadership ability. Membrane processing knowledge will be specially appreciated.

The position is subordinated to a TECNIOSPRING PLUS grant (http://www.catalonia.com/en/innovate-in-catalonia/tecniospringplus/index.jsp).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Participation and collaboration on current IRTA dairy projects, in coordination with existing food technology team.  Development of new projects in relation with the exposed topics, especially in the field of H2020.  Development of new methods and knowledge on dairy processing, with the equipment and technics available.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

 Researchers of any nationality that have a PhD or four to eight years of full-time equivalent research experience. Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in 3 years immediately prior to the deadline for the submission of applications. Exceptions will be made for candidates with justified career breaks  English or Spanish/Catalan speaking

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Experienced researchers will benefit from 2-year employment contracts including:

 Salary costs (with full social security coverage): 58.500 € per year.  Research costs: Up to 8.640 € per year.  Mobility costs: Up to 960 € per year. For more information visit http://catalonia.com/innovate-in- catalonia/tecniospringplus/tecniospringdescription.jsp

LOCATION: MONELLS (GIRONA)

Photo credit: Núria

Crossroads is a town of Lower Empordà now part of the of Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura, which is the administrative center and is where the City Council. Had its own municipality until the end of 1974, when it merged with Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura to form the present municipality.

For years the City of Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura began operating this website, aiming to present our peoples and the activities carried out.

We also want this to be a place where you can discover the activities that they Institutions Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura. And also, we want to find any information about what we do or what we intend to do.

Ultimately we want a window Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura in the world (http://www.cmss.cat/).

Monells is located at 40 Km. from Girona.

GIRONA

Girona is the capital of the region of Girona and the , north-east of Catalonia, the municipality is 100 km. , 40 Km. and 96 Km. Perpignan.

The city of Girona is located at the confluence of the rivers Onyar, Güell and Ter Galligants at an altitude of 70 m, the plan called Girona. Girona limits the north with the of Sant Julià de Ramis and Sarria de Ter; to the east, and the Celrà Juià; southeast, the Fourth; southwest, with Fornells de la and ; and west of the Salt and St. Gregory.

For more information, please visit the following link: http://www2.girona.cat/ca

KEY STEPS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS

If you wish to be considered for this position, please, contact to Xavier Felipe [email protected] before 25th September 2018

CALENDAR

The deadlines indicated in the call are:

 Call opening: 2nd June 2018  Call deadline: 28th September 2018  Evaluation process: until January 2019  Start of fellowships: from January to May 2019

For more information visit http://catalonia.com/innovate-in- catalonia/tecniospringplus/tecniospringcall.jsp