Food labels play an important role in providing insights into ‘invisible’ attributes of food products, attributes that consumers cannot ascertain themselves upon purchase or consumption whilst these aspects are of interest to them. Labels can be used as policy instruments to regulate the presentation of such product specific information, which for example can be related to the nutritional content or health benefit of a food or food ingredient. To ensure that there is no false or ambiguous information on food labels, food information is regulated in Europe and specific regulation is in place to deal with nutrition and health claims made on foods: statements that highlight the beneficial ingredients in a product, or even the potential health benefits that can follow from consuming these ingredients. Today, most claims seem to be used on processed functional foods: foods that are deliberately processed to increase or decrease specific ingredients to ensure they offer increased health benefits compared to their ‘regular’ counterparts.

Within this PhD project, the candidate will conduct research into to what extent food information and specifically nutrition & health claims can be used on fresh produce. This conceptual and empirical research should contribute to increased insights into the potential for practical measurement values for food information provision. It should result in scientific publications and the development of a decision tool for small and medium sized entrepreneurs.

To complete our team, we are looking for a PhD candidate who has a strong background in nutrition and/or (health) policy, preferably with experience in conducting qualitative research. Your tasks include to collect data, conduct research (predominantly through desk research and applying qualitative research procedures), to write scientific articles, and to complete a PhD thesis. You will actively participate in the EU funded Interreg project Food Screening EMR. You will also participate in conferences, workshops and other scholarly and valorization activities, and contribute to teaching at Maastricht University Campus Venlo.

Candidates will be judged on the basis of the requirements outlined below. To be considered, candidates should make sure that their application letter demonstrates how they meet these requirements:

•  Successful Master’s degree in human nutrition, health sciences, food (or health) policy, European policy, or other relevant fields;
• Strong affinity for nutrition and food sciences;
• A solid understanding of research designs and relevant analyses, as demonstrated in education (and work) so far;
• Strong analytical capacity;
• Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary, international and growing team;
• Ambition to share research outside of regular scholarly activities (such as writing publications);
• Excellent proficiency in English;
• Preferably a good command of Dutch (for foreign applicants: the intention to reach proficiency in Dutch);
• The ability to work both independently and as a (flexible) team player, having strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong project management skills, flexibility, proactive behaviour and excellent academic writing skills that will enable you to finish your PhD thesis.

Fixed-term contract: We offer a full-time employment contract as a PhD candidate. The employment contract will be for a period of 1 year and will be extended for another 3 years after positive evaluation.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

•  We offer a rewarding career at a young university in the heart of Europe, with a distinct global perspective and a strong focus on innovative research and education;
•  The salary will be set in PhD salary scale of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (from € 2.395 to € 3.061 gross per month depending on experience and qualifications, based on a full-time appointment). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday allowance and a 8.3% year-end allowance;
• We offer an attractive package of fringe benefits such as reduction on collective health insurance, substantial leave arrangements, optional model for designing a personalised benefits package and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 20,000 students and 4,700 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Campus Venlo

The mission of Maastricht University - Campus Venlo is to bring academic education and research about healthy food to the Greenport Venlo area. In the inner-city of Venlo, the Bachelor programme University College Venlo and two Master programmes in Health Food Innovation Management and Global Supply Chain Management & Change are situated. Life science research, focused on food, nutrition and health, is subdivided over the inner-city campus and in Villa Flora at the former Floriade venue (Brigthlands Campus Greenport Venlo).

The Food Claims Centre Venlo (FCCV) is the multidisciplinary research department that aims to bridge the gap between nutritional sciences and food law. Researchers at the FCCV focus on questions that relate to whether it can be scientifically proven that foods are healthy and/or safe, and thereby live up to regulatory requirements. The FCCV closely collaborates with the research department located in Villa Flora, the Centre for Healthy Eating and Food Innovation. 

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fccv