Eurizon.eu

Organization: TI Food and Nutrition

Location: Wageningen, Netherlands

Field: Medical sciences

Requirements:

MSc in one of the Life Sciences with specialization in microbiology / biotechnology experience with modelling techniques experience with microbiological experimentation is a plus demonstrated experience as team player good communication skills both in writing and speaking affinity with food microbiology research

Abstract:

Introduction to the project Food safety is of eminent importance for the protection of brands, especially if the brands lean on a “healthy” image...

Description:

Introduction to the project Food safety is of eminent importance for the protection of brands, especially if the brands lean on a “healthy” image. Furthermore insight in food safety control (e.g. minimal processing) can result in development of specific product groups that have better characteristics that can occupy new niches. Since many pathogens and spoilers can in specific cases cause problems, generic models are necessary to carry out quantitative risk assessment. To develop these generic models general approaches are needed, but these need to be fed with specific detailed knowledge in certain cases to improve accuracy. Also specific practical useful detection methods are needed to collect information on contaminants in food chains. Therefore within the theme food safety and preservation 4 projects are set up, one about predictive modelling, one about biofilms, one about spores and one about detection. These projects are of course strongly linked, since information of all four needs to be combined to successfully implement the resulting tools for food safety control. Information and knowledge obtained in detail about spores, biofilms and detection methods needs to be combined within food chain analyses to optimally control the presence, recontamination, outgrowth and inactivation of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. All information collated in the other projects are being translated into models which predict the behavior of the spores in defined environmental settings. This part is crucial for making the accumulated scientific knowledge available for industrial application.  Sub-project description In this sub-project all relevant information of sporeforming organisms that is collected and obtained both within this sub-project and also the whole theme, will be evaluated for inclusion within the generic models to be developed. Due to the generic nature of the model to be developed, not all information can and will be implemented, but all information needs to be considered. There will be a strong link with the sub-project “Vegetatives chain model” since many approaches will be equal, however specifically differences will exist due to the different relevance of certain aspects for spore-formers and non-spore-formers. Specific tasks linked to this sub-project include: Strain variability, experimental variability, effect of the prior history is experimentally determined Various heterogeneity factors are included in predictive models. Relevance of effects is compared Relevant effects are then combined in a generic chain model.

Deadline: 15-04-2011

Contacts:

Link: http://www.tifn.nl/

Email: personnel@tifn.nl

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