magnetic resonance spectroscopy | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

PhD Studentship in Advanced Magnetic Resonance Techniques for Food foam Research, UK

Due to funding regulations, this studentship is only available to UK and EU nationals.
Applications are invited for the above PhD studentship at the University of Cambridge in the Magnetic Resonance Research Centre of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology. The centre is world renowned, focussing on the application of quantitative magnetic resonance methods and their application to problems encountered in process engineering research. The studentship is fully funded by Nestle Research Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland. The project will focus on the understanding of the physical properties of foams in terms of their stability and production. Foams are ubiquitous in food and impact many factors that are important to the consumer such as taste and texture. The project is aimed at increasing fundamental and practical knowledge to increase our ability to develop new foam food products.
This project will involve the development and implementation of advanced quantitative magnetic resonance techniques, such as fast pulsed field gradient magnetic resonance spectroscopy, multi-dimensional relaxation exchange spectroscopy and micro-fluidic micro-imaging, to gain new insights into the physics behind the ‘micro-fluidic’ generation of food foams and emulsions. In addition the successful candidate will also undertake research into the subsequent stability and ageing process of the foam/emulsion in terms of size and drainage and explore the possibilities of incorporating the new techniques, developed within the research project, into “low-field” online magnetic resonance measurements on the factory production floor. The project will involve regular travel to the research centre in Lausanne and continuous consultation with Nestle’s industrial process engineers and scientists.
The successful candidate should have a strong physics/mathematical background (preferably holding, or expecting to gain, a first class or upper 2:1 (honours) masters degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or physics) and should be able to demonstrate a high level of practical and communication skills.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 June 2011

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