For alternatives to whole-cut steaks, it's not just taste but also texture which is key. Will you be part of the endeavour to scale production of fungal steaks with unique textural properties? Job descriptionMycoprotein form a highly interesting category of novel protein products: complete protein profile, low cholesterol, and suitable for scalable, sustainable production. A specific perk of fungal biomass is the flexibility in rheology, and with that product texture. For alternatives to whole-cut meat the right texture is as important as the taste, and many products currently on the market achieve texture through processing with various binders. The lead partner of this consortium produces mycelial biomass with intrinsically the right texture, yielding a high-quality, all natural steak alternative without added binders. The process has been established at lab- and pilot scale; the challenge for our consortium is to scale this process further to demonstration- and eventually full production scale, while maintaining high product yields and the unique product characteristics.
The objective of this PhD project is to guide this scale-up process through a number of bioreactor modelling stages. The first stage will be a process specification stage, establishing production targets and performance criteria, together with project partners. This is followed by a scale-up analysis where a comprehensive assessment of the demo- and prospective full-scale process are conducted, evaluating possible bottlenecks and scale-up challenges. The insights from this will guide experimental- and demo-scale design. Stage three considers process optimization, where detailed bioreactor models are constructed and refined based on lab- and later demo-scale process data, and used for further optimization of the demo-scale process. In the final stage of the project, the TU Delft team leads the work-package on the blueprint for mass manufacturing, deploying (validated) models to assess and optimize the conceptual full-scale process, and providing input for techno-economic assessment. Especially within the second and third stage, there is flexibility in the modelling approach and development of novel modelling strategies, where detailed reactor modelling (computational-fluid dynamics based), biokineticic modelling, and advances in machine learning may be combined based on the needs of the project. Experimental hydrodynamic work for calibration of the reactor models is optional (e.g. mass transfer and bubble size measurements, velocimetry measurements, x-ray tomography), experiments for kinetic data will be executed by partners.
The PhD position is part of a consortium with 13 partners, led by product developer Adamo foods. The modelling and scale-up related work-packages covered in this project will require strong coordination with relevant consortium partners. We are hence looking for a PhD candidate that combines excellent technical performance in bioprocess modelling with a flexible and versatile mindset and strong communication skills, both to obtain all information required for model development, and in effectively transferring model-based insights to guide experiment- and scale-up design. Naturally, throughout the PhD trajectory you will have the opportunity to follow courses to hone these skills further.
You will be part of the bioprocess engineering section at TU Delft, department of biotechnology, and will mainly work with Dr. ir. Cees Haringa (bioprocess modelling) and Dr. ir. Adrie Straathof (section leader bioprocess engineering). Additionally you will have strong interactions with the project partners; a secondment period at one of the partner institutions is possible, based on project requirements.
Job requirements - Completed an MSc. in biotechnology, chemical engineering, microbial/fungal physiology, or a similar discipline.
- Basic proficiency in programming/modelling is required. Specific techniques such as detailed bioprocess/reactor modelling, expertise with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or (fungal) metabolic modelling are nice-to-have but can be learned on the job.
- Strong collaboration skills and a versatile mindset are required. The candidate should be open to developing project management skills to contribute to work-package coordination.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
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Faculty Applied Sciences With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.
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Conditions of employment Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit,
Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A
Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional informationIf you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Cees Haringa, via
C.Haringa@tudelft.nl.
The fulfillment of this vacancy is subject to the conclusion of the Grant Agreement between the funding authority (the European Commission) and all consortium partners. To facilitate the overall project planning, there is a preference for candidates that are available directly after the agreements are in place, prospecively June.
Application procedureAre you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than
20 March 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV (max. 2 A4's)
- Motivational letter (max. 1 A4)
You can address your application to Cees Haringa. Top ranking candidates from the CV selection will be invited for an interview. The interview dates are fixed and will be performed 13, 14, or 15 April 2026.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the
Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Please note: - You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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