Postdoctoral Research Associate – Postdoctoral Research Associate in Extruded Meat Analogue Production
University of Reading
Reading, United Kingdom
This role invites a passionate early-career researcher to join the Food Research Group within the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Reading as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Extruded Meat Analogue Production. The position is full-time and offered on a fixed-term basis for 18 months, embedded within an innovative research project titled Multi-functional pigmented yeast biomass as ingredient for plant-based extruded meat analogue products. The project sits at the intersection of food formulation, food processing technology, and industrial biotechnology, and benefits from access to the University’s Food Processing Centre, Sensory Science Centre, Flavour Centre and pilot-scale equipment including bioreactors and extrusion facilities.
In this role, you will play a core part in developing high-moisture extruded meat analogue products by blending red-pigmented yeast biomass with plant protein sources. This work aims to advance sustainable food solutions by improving plant-based meat analogues’ sensory and functional qualities while exploring novel ingredient applications in extrusion processing. You will work within a multidisciplinary environment that fosters collaboration across scientific, technical and applied food science domains.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should hold a PhD in food science, food engineering, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline, or be near completion of their doctoral studies. Prior research experience in food processing and formulation is essential for success in this role.
Require Expertise, Skills
Essential expertise includes:
Hands-on experience with extrusion processing and food product development.
Knowledge of plant-based meat formulation and understanding of ingredient functionality.
Skills in assessing food quality attributes, including texture and flavour evaluation.
Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams across formulation, processing, and analytical domains.
Salary Details
The role offers a competitive academic salary in the range of approximately £36,636 to £44,746 per annum, reflecting standard postdoctoral pay scales in the UK research sector.
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 6 March 2026.