The Laboratory of Food Microbiology, part of the Centre for Food and Microbial Technology (CFMT) of the Department of Microbial and Molecular systems (M²S) of KU Leuven, is looking for a motivated PhD researcher. Research at the Centre for Food and Microbial Technology focuses on understanding food constituents, microorganisms, and biological and biochemical processes that are relevant to the food sector and related bio-based industries.
Prof. Diaz Allegue leads a new research line on microorganisms as key players in food production and as sustainable food ingredients, exploring how microbial biomass and metabolites can contribute to nutritious, functional, and health-promoting food applications. This opportunity is a direct collaboration between Prof. Luis Diaz Allegue and Prof. Tara Grauwet at the Laboratory of Food Technology. Prof. Grauwet’s group brings strong expertise in process-structure-function relationships during food processing, preservation, and storage, with internationally recognized experience in in vitro digestion, bioaccessibility studies, and molecular-level analysis of nutrient release.
Project
This PhD project focuses on the development of microbial foods, with emphasis on bioprocess optimization, and downstream processing of microbial biomass for food applications. The project will investigate how cultivation conditions and food processing strategies can be used to steer biomass composition, functionality, and the presence of health-relevant compounds, with the broader aim of developing nutritious, sustainable, and functional microbial food ingredients.
A central aspect of the project will be the connection between bioproduction and food digestion. Microbial ingredients will be incorporated into model food systems and evaluated using in vitro digestion approaches to understand how processing and food microstructure affect macronutrient digestion and nutrient bioaccessibility. These results will feed back into bioprocess design and food processing strategies, creating an iterative framework to optimize both microbial ingredient production and their performance in food-relevant applications.
Profile
Your work will focus on:
• Optimizing microbial bioproduction processes to steer biomass composition, functionality, and the production of health-relevant compounds.
• Developing and evaluating downstream processing strategies to obtain stable, safe, and food-relevant microbial ingredients.
• Use of processing and formulation to impact nutritional functionality
• Evaluation of in vitro macronutrient digestion kinetics
• Study of interaction effects in complex food systems
• Statistical analysis
Your responsibilities will be:
• Your primary responsibility will be to carry out laboratory experiments and perform comprehensive analyses using state-of-the-art techniques. You will play an active role in the development, execution, and interpretation of experiments.
• Collaboration is integral. You will be an active member of the Food Microbiology research group, collaborating with the Laboratory of Food Technology and supporting fellow researchers and ongoing projects.
• You are expected to communicate your results through scientific publications, conference contributions and regular internal reports, and to engage actively in project meetings and training activities.
• You will supervise bachelor and master students.
We are looking for a PhD candidate which should fulfil the following requirements:
• You have a Master's degree in bioscience engineering, industrial biotechnology, applied microbiology, food science & technology or related discipline.
• You have a passion for microbes and sustainability, for sustainable microbial biotechnology at the interface of industrial and environmental applications, and you are highly motivated in a dynamic research environment.
• You have specific knowledge on bioprocess engineering, applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology, including general laboratory skills (proven experience working under sterile conditions) and familiarity with analytical techniques such as chromatography, microscopy, and with molecular biology methods.
• You have interest in food science and basic knowledge of colloidal chemistry.
• You are communicative, creative, eager to learn and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• You are passionate about research with a critical, analytical and innovative mindset.
• You are familiar with general laboratory practices and have attention to details.
• You have good communication skills in written and spoken English.
• You are proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams.
• Having experience in performing in vitro digestion studies is a plus.
Offer
We offer:
• An attractive fully funded scholarship for 4 years of PhD research with multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.), continuation after the first year is dependent upon a positive evaluation.
• The opportunity to develop scientific and personal skills via participation at trainings, workshops, and conferences (more information can be found here: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd/dopl/whytraining).
• Supervision by recognized experts and access to (beyond) state-of-the-art research and infrastructure.
• A stay in a vibrant environment in the hearth of Europe. The university is located in Leuven, a town of approximately 100,000 inhabitants, located close to Brussels (25 km), and 20 minutes by train from Brussels International Airport. This strategic positioning and the strong presence of the university, international research centers, and industry lead to a safe town with high quality of life, with a warm welcome to non-Dutch speaking people and with ample opportunities for social and sport activities. The mixture of cultures and research fields are some of the ingredients making the university of Leuven the most innovative university in Europe. Further information can be found on the website of the university: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/kuleuven/.
• KU Leuven (University of Leuven) has been a center of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest and highest-ranked university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. The university caters to over 60,000 students from more than 140 countries. KU Leuven's three doctoral schools provide internationally oriented PhD tracks for more than 4,000 doctoral students. KU Leuven and affiliated knowledge institutes provide fertile ground for innovation and high-tech entrepreneurship in the Leuven region. This favorable climate for knowledge-driven entrepreneurship and innovation makes the Leuven region an attractive location for many high-tech companies.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Luis Diaz Allegue ([email protected]) (PhD promoter) or Prof. dr. Tara Grauwet ([email protected]) (PhD co-promoter) or Mrs. Lut Vancuyck, mail: [email protected].
The start date is foreseen for October, 1st, 2026, but can be negociated.
Applications (in English) should include:
• CV (contact details, education, work experience, prizes/awards, language skills, etc,...)
• Official academic transcript of BSc. and MSc. studies
• Motivational letter describing research career goals, skills and experience
• Full contact details of two reference persons
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
