🧪 Research Associate (m/f/d) – Doctoral Candidate in Bio-Based Aerogel Development bei Technische Universität Hamburg in Hamburg

Join the FAroGels research network at Hamburg University of Technology and drive the development of food-grade, bio-based, and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems. As a Doctoral Candidate, you will pioneer cryo-structuring techniques to create temporary solid networks from non-gelling biopolymers—without chemical crosslinkers—followed by cryo-solvent exchange and supercritical CO₂ drying.

Your focus: You will systematically investigate how formulation, freezing conditions, solvent exchange, and drying parameters shape pore morphology, density, mechanical properties, hydration behaviour, and loading capacity. Your work will include developing reproducible processing protocols and comprehensive characterisation of the resulting aerogels—porosity, BET surface area, pore-size distribution, swelling, and mechanical behaviour—as well as assessing compatibility with food matrices.

What you will do:

• Design, execute, document, and analyse experiments using laboratory, analytical, processing, and modelling methods
• Develop and validate food-grade aerogels for sustainable food applications
• Engage in FAroGels network meetings, workshops, training schools, and transferable-skills activities
• Complete planned secondments at partner organisations within the FAroGels network
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners across the network

What we offer:

• PhD enrolment at Hamburg University of Technology with a fixed-term contract until February 2030
• Supportive, friendly research environment with intensive onboarding
• Comprehensive training and continuing education programmes
• Opportunity to instruct and mentor undergraduate students

What you bring:

• Completed master's degree (or equivalent with considerably above-average results) in process engineering, food technology, thermal separation processes, or chemical engineering
• Strong laboratory and analytical skills, including adsorption isotherms, surface investigations, and optical-metrical measurements
• English proficiency at B2/C1 level; basic German for daily conversations is a plus
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative research
• Status as an Early Stage Researcher: no doctoral degree and no more than 12 months of residence or main activity in Germany within the 36 months prior to recruitment

Diversity matters to us: all applications are welcome regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, nationality, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.

Submit your complete application—cover letter, CV in table form, degree certificates, and references—exclusively via the online application system.