NMBU Postdoctoral Fellowship in Food Processing 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

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The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is offering a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in Food Processing at its Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM). This is a university-funded, strategically important position within the SciFood research group, giving the successful candidate access to world-class pilot plant facilities, including a dairy plant, brewery, biorefinery, and advanced membrane filtration laboratory. At a time when the global food industry faces urgent pressure to reduce waste, cut energy use, and develop sustainable processing methods, this fellowship puts you at the centre of research that truly matters.

This position is for researchers who have already completed a doctoral degree in a relevant field and are ready to take the next step toward a high-level scientific career. The work involves designing and carrying out your own research plan in collaboration with the SciFood group and Norwegian food industry partners, supervising Master’s and PhD students, contributing to teaching, and publishing original findings. Applicants from any country are welcome, provided they hold the required doctoral qualification and meet the language requirements.

This post covers everything you need to prepare a strong application: eligibility criteria, benefits, required documents, a step-by-step application guide, key dates, and practical tips tailored to this specific opportunity.

Fellowship Overview

Eligibility

To qualify for this postdoctoral fellowship, you must meet all of the requirements below:

1.Citizenship: There are no citizenship restrictions. Applicants from all countries are eligible to apply.

2. Academic Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant subject area is required. This may be a Norwegian doctoral degree or a foreign doctoral degree that is approved as equivalent to a Norwegian doctorate.
• You must have demonstrated research experience and expertise specifically in food processing.
• You must be capable of teaching unit operations within food processing at both Bachelor’s and Master’s level.

3. Language Requirements:

• Good presentation skills in both English and a Norwegian or Scandinavian language are required, covering both written and oral communication.
• Unlike the PhD positions at NMBU, this role requires some functional ability in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language, given the teaching responsibilities and collaboration with the Norwegian food industry.

Additional Qualifications That Will Be Considered an Advantage:

• Competence in separation techniques used in food processing and/or alternatives to heat treatments.
• Experience with bioprocesses.
• Experience with relevant analytical methods and data analysis.
• Industrial experience or experience conducting research in collaboration with the food industry.
• Experience with research-based innovation activities.
• Prior teaching experience at Bachelor’s and Master’s level.

Personal Qualities the Committee Will Look For:

• Ability and willingness to initiate, plan, and carry out research projects independently.
• Systematic and efficient working style, both independently and as part of a team.
• Creative approach to research challenges.
• Strong motivation for academic writing and publication.
• Genuine interest in teaching and teaching development.
• Good communication and knowledge dissemination skills.
• Positive and solution-oriented attitude.

Eligible Countries

This postdoctoral fellowship is open to applicants from all countries worldwide. NMBU does not restrict eligibility by nationality or region, and actively encourages international applications.

Eligible Fields of Study

This fellowship is not open to all fields. It is specifically focused on food science and food processing. Relevant fields include:

• Food Science and Technology
• Food Processing Engineering
• Food Chemistry
• Dairy Science
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Chemical Engineering (with food processing focus)
• Biotechnology (with food science application)
• Agricultural Sciences (with food processing focus)
• Nutrition Science (with processing or technology focus)
• Environmental Science (with food systems focus)

Particular interest will be given to candidates with expertise in separation techniques used in food processing, alternatives to heat treatments, or bioprocesses. If your doctoral research falls outside these areas but is directly applicable to food processing challenges, it is worth contacting the supervisor to discuss your fit before applying.

Benefits

This is a paid university employment position at NMBU. Here is a full breakdown of the benefits:

1. Annual Salary: NOK 604,900 to NOK 796,600 per year at government pay scale position code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow. The exact salary within this range depends on your qualifications and experience. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations.
2. Duration: Four-year fixed-term employment contract. This is a longer-than-average postdoctoral term, providing greater stability and time to develop a substantial research portfolio.
3. Research Infrastructure Access: You will have access to the National Infrastructure on Food Processing (FoodPilotPlant Norway), including a dairy plant, brewery, biorefinery, and pilot plants for plant, meat, and fish processing. You will also have access to an advanced membrane filtration laboratory (MemLab) and state-of-the-art analytical platforms.
4. Teaching Involvement: Teaching constitutes 25 percent of the fixed-term period, covering Food Processing II (MVI261) and Food Processing III (MVI361). This is an opportunity to build a strong teaching portfolio alongside your research.
5. Supervision Responsibilities: You will co-supervise Master’s and PhD students, adding a leadership and mentoring dimension to your postdoctoral experience.
6. Industry Collaboration: The research plan is developed in collaboration with Norwegian food industry partners, giving you practical, applied research experience alongside academic publication.
7. Healthcare: As a Norwegian government employee, you are likely entitled to access Norway’s national health system. Confirm this with NMBU directly.
8. Relocation Support: Contact NMBU to confirm whether any relocation assistance is available for international candidates moving to Aas, Norway.

Required Documents

Prepare all of the following before starting your application. Everything must be submitted through NMBU’s Web Recruitment System, except for documents that cannot be sent electronically, which must be sent by post (see below):

1. Cover and motivation letter: This must clearly state why you are qualified and motivated for this specific position. Applications without a motivation letter will be disregarded.
2. Reflection note (1 to 2 pages) describing the research you would like to perform in this role. This is distinct from your motivation letter and should focus on your research ideas and direction.
3. CV entered directly into Jobbnorge’s CV form within the system. This is a legal requirement and cannot be replaced by an attached CV document alone.
4. Certified copies of academic diplomas and other relevant certificates.
5. Up to ten publications selected by you as the most relevant to this position. If your contribution to any multi-author publications is not immediately clear, include a short explanation of your specific role in that work.
6. Names and full contact details for two references.

For documents that cannot be sent electronically, send them in triplicate by ordinary mail to: NMBU, Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas Mark the envelope: still.nr. 26/02823 These must arrive by 7th April 2026.

If invited for an interview, you will be asked to present verified copies of your diplomas and certificates in person.

How to Apply

Follow each of these steps carefully to put together a complete and competitive application:

Step 1: Read the full vacancy description in detail and familiarise yourself with the SciFood research group’s work, the FoodPilotPlant Norway infrastructure, and NMBU’s food science faculty. This context will help you write a targeted motivation letter and a well-grounded reflection note.

Step 2: Draft your reflection note (1 to 2 pages). This should describe the research you would like to conduct within the framework of food processing, resource utilisation, waste reduction, and sustainable processing. Be specific about your research ideas and how they align with the group’s direction and industry needs.

Step 3: Write your motivation letter. Explain clearly why you are qualified for this position, what relevant expertise you bring, and why you are genuinely motivated to work in this specific research environment. Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered.

Step 4: Select up to ten publications that best represent your research experience and are most relevant to food processing. If any are co-authored and your contribution is not obvious, prepare a short explanation of your role for each.

Step 5: Visit NMBU’s Web Recruitment System. Register an account if you do not already have one, then log in and locate the postdoctoral fellowship vacancy at the Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science.

Step 6: Enter your CV directly into Jobbnorge’s CV form within the system. This is mandatory under the Public Administration Act Section 15 and cannot be replaced by uploading a separate CV file alone.

Step 7: Gather your certified academic diplomas and all other relevant certificates. Ensure they are properly certified and ready to upload.

Step 8: Contact your two references in advance. Make sure they are available and that their names and contact details are accurate before including them in your application.

Step 9: Upload all required attachments through the application portal. Verify that every item on the required documents list is included and clearly legible.

Step 10: If you have any documents that cannot be sent electronically, prepare three printed copies and send them by ordinary mail to NMBU’s Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science at P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas. Mark the envelope with still.nr. 26/02823 and ensure they arrive by 7th April 2026.

Step 11: Review your entire application before submitting. Check your CV form, motivation letter, reflection note, uploaded documents, and publication list.

Step 12: Submit your application before the deadline of 7th April 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and asked to present verified diploma copies at that stage.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 7th April 2026.

Documents sent by post must also arrive by 7th April 2026.

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee evaluates candidates on a range of factors beyond meeting the basic eligibility requirements. Here is what they look for:

1. Doctoral Research Quality and Relevance: Your PhD and any subsequent research experience must demonstrate genuine expertise in food processing. Candidates whose doctoral work directly addresses themes such as separation techniques, bioprocesses, or sustainable food production will be the strongest in this category.
2. Publication Record: You are asked to submit up to ten publications. The quality, relevance, and quantity of your published work is a direct signal of your readiness for a senior scientific role. Strong publications in reputable, peer-reviewed food science journals will carry significant weight.
3. Quality of the Reflection Note: The committee will assess whether your proposed research direction is original, feasible, and aligned with the SciFood group’s focus and industry partnerships. Vague or generic research ideas will not be competitive.
4. Language Capability: Unlike typical postdoctoral positions at NMBU, this role requires communication in a Norwegian or Scandinavian language because of the teaching and industry collaboration responsibilities. Demonstrating this capability clearly is important.
5. Teaching Readiness: Since 25 percent of the position involves teaching, the committee will look for evidence that you can teach effectively at university level and that you have an interest in teaching development.
6. Industry and Innovation Experience: Experience working with or for the food industry, or conducting research-based innovation activities, is explicitly listed as an advantage. Candidates who can bridge academic research and practical industry application will stand out.
7. Independent Initiative: The research plan is developed by the postdoctoral fellow together with the group and partners. This means the committee is looking for a candidate who brings their own ideas and can take ownership of a research agenda, not just follow instructions.

Important Tips

1. Treat your reflection note as a research pitch. In 1 to 2 pages, you need to convince the committee that you have original, relevant ideas for the future of food processing research at NMBU. Be specific about the problems you want to address, the methods you would use, and the impact you expect your work to have.
2. Make your motivation letter position-specific. Connect your doctoral background and research expertise directly to the SciFood group’s themes: resource utilisation, waste reduction, sustainable processing, and healthy and safe foods. Generic letters will be disregarded.
3. Contact the supervisor before applying if you have questions. Professor Siv Skeie (siv.skeie@nmbu.no, +47 97189324) is available for questions about the position. A brief, professional conversation can help you align your research ideas with the group’s priorities before you write your reflection note.
4. Be strategic about your publication selection. You can submit up to ten publications. Choose the ones that most directly demonstrate your expertise in food processing and your ability to conduct and communicate research at a high level. For multi-author papers, always include a note about your specific contribution.
5. Address the Scandinavian language requirement directly. If you have any proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish, state it clearly in your CV and motivation letter. This is not just an advantage but a stated requirement for this role, given the teaching and industry engagement responsibilities.
6. Plan for the postal document requirement. If you have any documents that cannot be submitted electronically, ensure they are posted early enough to arrive at NMBU by 7th April 2026. Last-minute international post is a real risk.
7. Highlight any food industry collaboration experience. The research plan for this position will be developed in partnership with Norwegian food industry companies. Any prior experience working with or alongside industry will strengthen your application and demonstrate that you can operate effectively in that context.
8. Prepare your two references carefully. Choose people who can speak specifically to your research quality, teaching ability, and capacity to work in collaborative environments. Give them enough time and context to write strong, relevant endorsements.
9. Review NMBU’s FoodPilotPlant Norway infrastructure before writing your reflection note. Understanding what facilities are available, including the dairy plant, brewery, membrane filtration lab, and biorefinery, may inspire more concrete and credible research ideas that show you have done your homework.

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