Organisation/Company UNIVERSIDADE DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Department Vicerrectorado de Investigación e Ciencia Aberta Research Field Pharmacological sciences Chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 9 Dec 2026
- 00:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe
- MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101312450 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description FAroGels – Food-Grade Aerogels for Sustainable Food Systems is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe. The network brings together academic and non-academic partners with complementary expertise in food science and technology, materials science, biopolymer science, biotechnology, process engineering, analytical characterization, packaging and sustainable innovation. FAroGels aims to develop, characterize and validate food-grade, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems. The network will investigate how these highly porous materials can support more efficient food processing, improved food quality and safety, nutritional and sensory functionality, protection and delivery of bioactive compounds, and sustainable packaging solutions. Position Description This position forms part of the FAroGels research program on food-grade, bio-based, and biodegradable aerogels and their application in sustainable food systems. The selected candidate will be employed by University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and will be required to enroll as a PhD student at USC in accordance with the relevant admission and enrolment requirements.



The doctoral project will focus on Bio-based aerogels with integrated active and safety functionalities for food-contact packaging. The transition towards sustainable food packaging requires innovative materials that combine bio-based composition, high functionality and demonstrated safety. DC12 will develop polysaccharide-based aerogels with integrated antioxidant and antimicrobial functionalities for direct food-contact applications, while establishing a comprehensive strategy for their safety assessment. The project will focus on polysaccharides derivatives functionalised with polyphenolic tannins recovered from agro-industrial side streams. Unlike conventional surface-coated systems, tannins will be incorporated during the gelation process to achieve a homogeneous distribution within the aerogel network, promoting strong intermolecular interactions, high porosity and controlled release. Aerogels will be produced through sol-gel processing followed by supercritical CO₂ drying or freeze-drying, depending on the desired structural and functional properties. The PhD candidate will investigate the relationships between composition, processing conditions, structure and functionality through a multidisciplinary characterisation approach, including morphological and structural analyses, thermal and mechanical properties, swelling behaviour, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity,



and stability during relevant storage and application conditions. Experimental results will be used to optimise aerogel formulations and identify the most promising materials for food-contact applications. A central challenge will be to demonstrate that enhanced functionality does not compromise food-contact safety. The candidate will therefore develop and apply analytical strategies for the identification and quantification of potential migrants and transformation products using GC‑MS and LC‑MS/MS, complemented by migration testing under relevant food‑contact conditions. The project will further integrate dietary exposure assessment and in‑silico toxicological approaches to support the safety evaluation of the developed materials according to the EU regulatory framework for food contact materials. The research will contribute to FAroGels by linking bio‑based aerogel design, active functionality and safety‑by‑design, supporting the development of sustainable and safe next‑generation food‑contact materials. The position will involve laboratory‑based research, data analysis, scientific communication and close collaboration with other FAroGels Doctoral Candidates, supervisors and partner organizations. Educational Background : Master’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant field, e.g., pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, materials science, food science and technology, chemical engineering, biochemistry or biotechnology.

Skills:
Strong laboratory and analytical skills in analytical chemistry and food and materials analysis and characterization. Languages : Proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required. Strong motivation to pursue doctoral research in an international and interdisciplinary environment. Ability to work independe

📌 Bio-based Aerogels for Active (Madrid)
🏢 Universidade De Santiago De Compostela
📍 Madrid