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🧬 MS & PhD Positions – Food Chemistry & Food Structure Design | NC State University
Institution: North Carolina State University (NC State) – Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences
📍 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
💼 Positions Available: MS Student | PhD Student
🔬 Research Area: Food Chemistry | Food Structure Design | Food Colloids | Food Enzymology | Food Engineering | Rheology | Bioprocessing
The Zheng Lab for Food Chemistry and Food Structure Design at the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, NC State University is inviting applications for MS and PhD positions for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Fall 2027.
The research focuses on mining, modifying, and characterizing functionalities of food proteins and ingredients for value-added applications. The lab applies soft matter and enzymatic approaches to develop innovative agricultural and food products with improved physical stability, mouthfeel, digestibility, and functionality.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
Food Chemistry & Protein Functionality
Investigate the functionality of food proteins and ingredients and explore strategies for modifying their properties for value-added food applications.
Food Structure Design
Develop and characterize complex food systems including:
- Foams
- Gels
- Emulsions
- Biopolymer dispersions
Food Colloids & Interfaces
Study the mechanisms governing colloidal interactions and interfacial phenomena across different food matrices.
Food Enzymology
Apply enzymatic approaches to modify and improve food ingredient functionality and develop innovative food products.
Rheology & Physical Properties
Investigate the physical stability, texture, mouthfeel, and digestibility of food systems using rheological and structural characterization approaches.
Fundamental & Applied Research
Conduct hypothesis-driven research to understand fundamental mechanisms while addressing industrial challenges, product defects, and food formulation problems.
🎯 Ideal Candidates
Applicants should hold a BS or MS degree in Food Science or a closely related discipline.
Candidates should have a strong interest in:
- Food Colloids
- Food Enzymology
- Food Chemistry
- Food Engineering
- Colloid & Interface Science
- Rheology
Practical experience or specialized knowledge in one or more of these areas is required.
Candidates must also meet the qualification requirements of the Graduate School at NC State University.
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Self-motivation
- A “can-do” attitude
- Persistence
- Accountability
- Strong interest in research
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Opportunity to conduct research in food chemistry and food structure design.
- Access to state-of-the-art research instrumentation.
- Hands-on experience in food protein functionality research.
- Exposure to food colloids, enzymology, rheology, and interface science.
- Opportunity to work on both fundamental and applied research projects.
- Experience addressing real-world food industry challenges.
- Opportunities to contribute to research publications.
- Exposure to innovative approaches for agricultural and food product development.
- Support through graduate research assistantship opportunities for qualified students.
- Opportunity to work in a collaborative academic research environment.
🧪 Research Focus
The Zheng Lab investigates the functionality of food proteins and ingredients and develops approaches for designing complex food systems.
Research uses soft matter and enzymatic approaches to develop food products with enhanced physical stability, tunable mouthfeel, and improved digestibility.
The lab follows a hypothesis-driven research methodology to understand colloidal interactions, interfacial phenomena, and the mechanisms responsible for product defects and performance across different food matrices.
💼 Anticipated Responsibilities
Selected graduate students will be expected to:
- Execute research projects assigned by the Principal Investigator.
- Conduct laboratory experiments and analyze research findings.
- Prepare research results and manuscripts for publication.
- Contribute to the continuous operation and growth of the laboratory.
- Participate in activities within the department and university.
- Support teaching activities as advised by the PI.
- Collaborate with other researchers on food science and food structure projects.
🎓 Program Details
Programs: MS | PhD
Available Intakes: Fall 2026 | Spring 2027 | Fall 2027
Institution: NC State University
Department: Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences
Laboratory: Zheng Lab for Food Chemistry and Food Structure Design
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Research Areas: Food Chemistry | Food Structure Design | Food Colloids | Food Enzymology | Rheology | Food Engineering
Graduate Support: Graduate Assistantship available for qualified students
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates should email their application directly to the Principal Investigator.
📧 Email: haotian.zheng@ncsu.edu
Subject Line: MS or PhD application, your name
The application should be submitted as one PDF file containing:
- Application Letter
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) including contact details for three professional references
- Student Transcripts
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Due to time constraints, the PI may not be able to respond to all applicants.
📌 Job Details
Institution: North Carolina State University
Department: Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences
Laboratory: Zheng Lab for Food Chemistry and Food Structure Design
Positions: MS Student | PhD Student
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Intakes: Fall 2026 | Spring 2027 | Fall 2027
Qualification: BS or MS in Food Science or closely related discipline
Research Areas: Food Chemistry | Food Colloids | Food Enzymology | Food Engineering | Colloid & Interface Science | Rheology
Application Mode: Email
Application Email: haotian.zheng@ncsu.edu
Application Format: One PDF
Graduate Support: Graduate Assistantship available
Category
MS Position | PhD Position | Food Science | Food Chemistry | Food Engineering | Food Colloids | Food Enzymology | Rheology | Food Structure Design | Food Science Research | Graduate Research | Research Jobs | USA Jobs | University Jobs
🏷️ Tags
#NCState #NCStateUniversity #PhDPosition #MSPosition #FoodScience #FoodChemistry #FoodEngineering #FoodColloids #FoodEnzymology #Rheology #FoodResearch
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