CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Modelling the Rheological-Sensory Nexus - [Archived Advertisement]

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

The Opportunity

• Do you have a PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, food/material science, sensory, oral processing, medicine, physiology, computer or data science, mathematics?
• Model the rheological-sensory nexus of bolus formation, in-mouth dynamics and swallowing
• Great opportunity to interact with researchers in CSIRO to broaden your scientific skills and networks

CSIRO Early Research Career (CERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships provide opportunities to scientists and engineers who have completed their doctorate and have less than three years of relevant postdoctoral work experience. These fellowships aim to develop the next generation of future leaders of the innovation system.

We are thrilled to be able to deliver on the commitment we made in our strategy to invest in frontier science with the CSIRO Agriculture & Food Winanga-y Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme. The word Winanga-y (pronounced win-na-gnay) is a cultural asset gifted by the Gomeroi Nation in Myall Vale to CSIRO's Agriculture and Food Business Unit to name the new Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme. Winanga-y means to understand, know, remember, and think.

‘Safe-to-swallow’ texture modified foods (TMFs) are used as a therapeutic strategy for those with swallowing difficulties, including older Australians where a decrease in muscle strength critical for chewing and swallowing leads to an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia or choking. While the mechanisms to develop TMFs is understood to a limited degree, there is a knowledge gap on the relationship between oral processing, rheology and the formation of a bolus to influence flow behaviour of the food as it is transported to the back of the throat.

During the Fellowship, the CERC Fellow will develop an in-silico model of bolus formation and swallowing that will allow industry to develop safe-to-swallow foods without testing on vulnerable Australians.

Your duties will include:

• Performing experiments to characterise the material properties of TMFs
• Assessing the mechanical breakdown and bolus formation of the TMFs, including sensory perception
• Developing an in-silico model of bolus formation and swallowing

Location: Werribee, Victoria
Salary: AU$89k - AU$98k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 3 years
Reference: 84768

To be considered you will need:

• A doctorate (or will shortly satisfy the requirements of a PhD) in a relevant discipline area, such as chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, food/material science, sensory, oral processing, medicine, physiology, computer or data science, mathematics. Please note: To be eligible for this role you must have no more than 3 years (or full-time equivalent) of postdoctoral research experience.
• Experience in the physico-chemical characterisation and analysis of soft materials, such as food systems e.g. rheology, tribology, texture analysis, particle sizing, descriptive sensory analysis, microscopy, water holding capacity.
• Experience in the use of computational modelling and simulation to create novel understandings of physical processes.
• Experience in the design, execution, and analysis of experiments with the purpose of gaining new understandings of a physical system.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

CSIRO is an Equal Opportunity employer working hard to recruit world-class talent that represents the diversity across our society. As part of our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes, preference will be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates who meet the role criteria.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

14 July 2022, 11:00pm AEST