AI and Ensemble approaches to model transient lipid deterioration in particulate food systems

Supervisors: Professor Keshavan Niranjan (University of Reading) and Dr Francesca Giuffrida (Societes des Produits Nestlé)

Project Overview:   Lipids are a major constituent of a number of dry particulate foods like infant and children foods which are worth around USD 50 Billion. Unsaturated lipid components present in such formulations tend to undergo oxidation due to heat and light which severely impacts on food quality and shelf-stability. This project hypothesises that the use of Machine learning (ML), and Ensemble approaches that include phenomenological models, yield practically usable solutions to either predict the transient quality changes occurring in a given product, or to formulate new food products which are stable and efficacious. Such models can predict stability and quality of product formulations containing unsaturated lipids, which will allow quick establishment of the product shelf life and substantially reduce food waste.

Training opportunities: The student will also gain considerable training in experimental and modelling methods used in the area of shelf-life and keeping quality assessment at the University of Reading, especially accelerated tests for long-life food products. In addition, Nestlé Research Centre based in Lausanne, Switzerland, will host the student for some time which will give to the student the opportunity to be trained in research methods employed in a commercial environment

Eligibility: 

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Food Science/Technology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or equivalent qualification(s). A postgraduate degree: MPhil, MEng, MSc or relevant industrial experience would be an advantage. Applicants must be keen to engage with the interdisciplinary nature of the project, but expertise in all aspects is neither required nor expected.
• The Food Consortium CTP studentships are predominantly open to students with UK residency. Although international students (including EU countries) can apply, due to funding rules no more than 30% of the projects can be allocated to international students. The funding will include a tax free stipend (currently at £16,062 p.a plus a £1400 enhancement from the industrial sponsor), support for tuition fees at the standard UK rate (currently £4,596 p.a), and a contribution towards research costs. In the event an international student is appointed, then the University of Reading will cover the difference between the UK and international fees.

Funding Details:   

• Starts October 2022
• 4-year award

How to apply:  

To apply, click Apply for a programme  to create an account and use the link sent by email to start the application process.   During the application process please select the PhD in Food and Nutritional Sciences

*Important notes*

• 1) Please quote ref. ‘GS22-053’ in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application.
• 2) When you are prompted by the online application system to upload a research proposal, please omit this step as the project is already defined.

Application Deadline:  29^th July 2022

Further Enquiries:  

Please note; where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria. 

For further details please contact afsniran@reading.ac.uk

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