Industry-funded PhD project – Art of grain drying
Join our exciting industry PhD project as part of the Future Food Systems CRC in partnership with Sanitarium Health Food Company, the renowned maker of beloved Australian brands like Weet-BixTM, Up&GoTM, and So GoodTM. The project aims to revolutionize the manufacturing process of Weet-Bix by developing a deep understanding of the key factors that influence the properties of wheat grains during drying.
By embarking on this cutting-edge research journey, you will have the opportunity to optimize Sanitarium’s drying operation and enhance product quality, all while making a tangible impact on the food industry. Through the findings of this project, we will empower Sanitarium to exercise better control over the drying process and potentially even improve the design of their dryers, leading to superior products.
As a PhD candidate, you will have the chance to work both at the School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney and at the Sanitarium Development and Innovation site in Cooranbong, situated on NSW’s picturesque Central Coast. Immerse yourself in a hands-on project and conduct experiments that bridge theory and practice, combining your strong mathematical skills with the ability to conceptualize system design, specifically tailored to food manufacturing.
We are seeking exceptional candidates with a solid background (H1 equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Maths / Physics Honours, or related fields, who are passionate about driving innovation in the food industry. All applicants need to meet the criteria for admission into the Higher Degree Research (Program Code: 1010) at UNSW. Domestic candidates currently residing in Australia are preferred.
The candidate chosen will be expected to commence their PhD studies by Term 1 of 2024.
The successful candidate will receive an industry-funded scholarship via the Future Food Systems CRC. The scholarship provides an excellent opportunity for an outstanding full-time postgraduate candidate to undertake an industry-focused research project designed to solve a real-world challenge in food manufacturing.
Value: A full scholarship of $37K + up to $10K top-up (domestic candidates only) per annum for up to four years, travel and accommodation / meal at Sanitarium R&D site at Cooranbong, and access to industry network and workshops as part of the Future Food Systems CRC.
Closing date for applications: 31 January 2024.
Further information: Contact Prof. Cordelia Selomulya or Prof. Greg Leslie.