Netherlands: PhD Controlled hydrolysis of novel protein sources to improve protein digestion in fish.

Deadline: 13 Sep. 2012

Job description

  A Phd project (1.0 fte, 4 year) - Controlled hydrolysis of novel protein sources to improve protein digestion in fish. This is a collaborative project between the Aquaculture and Fisheries group and the Laboratory of Food Chemistry of Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

Job Requirements

In this interdisciplinary project, knowledge from the fields of food chemistry/processing and fish nutrition is integrated. The project is built up of several parts: (1) identification of key components (i.e., indicators) in processed hydrolysates of feather meal and soybean meal (with a focus on feather meal); (2) their effect on in vivo digestion in fish; (3) the effect of critical processing condition on protein digestion, using the identified key components; and (4) the effect of feed matrix on in vivo and in vitro protein digestion. In the first part, different hydrolysates will be produced under a wide range of process conditions. These hydrolysates will be screened for the presence of key components presumed to be relevant. Next, a selection of these hydrolysates with wide ranges in the key components will be assessed regarding their in vivo protein digestion in fish in order to determine the essential key components/markers. These key markers will then be used to study the impact of pre-processing condition on the quality of feather meal hydrolysates. Finally, the in vivo digestion of “good” quality hydrolysates will be studied in relation to the ingredient matrix of the fish feed. Measurements will focus on in vitro and in vivo protein digestion of hydrolysates. Peptides in collected samples will be analysed and quantified by state-of-the-art UHPLC-MS. Trout is the species studied.

RequirementsFor this interdisciplinary project we look for an enthusiastic result-driven person with either: an appropriate MSc degree in Aquaculture, Animal Science, (Marine) Biology or related field with the interest and capacity to specialize in the field of food (bio)chemistry and affinity with nutrition studies, fish (animal) physiology research; or an appropriate MSc degree in Food Chemistry, or related field with the interest and capacity to specialize in the field of fish nutrition and fish/animal physiology research. The candidate should have excellent research skills, excellent communication skills, team working spirit and proficiency in English (both oral and written).

Conditions of employment

Employment basis: temporary for specified period; duration of the contract: 1.5 + 2.5 years, maximum hours per week: 38. Additional conditions of employment: To begin with, a PhD appointment for a period of 18 months. Continuation of the appointment with another 30 months will be based on performance evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2042 in the first year rising to € 2612 per month in the fourth year, based on a full time appointment

Contract type: Temporary, 4 years

Organisation

Wageningen UR (University & Research centre)
Further informationDr. Johan Schrama, Aquaculture and Fisheries group, Tel. +31317483307
Dr. ir. Peter Wierenga, Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Tel: +31 317483786

Application You can apply till 13 September 2012.
apply now or view our other vacancies at jobsat.wur.nl