Postdoctoral Scholar – Food Chemistry, Engineering, and Precision Nutrient Delivery
Food–Health Nexus Laboratory (DadmoX Lab)
Department of Food Science & Technology
Oregon State University – Food Innovation Center (Downtown Portland, OR)
Position Summary
The DadmoX Lab at Oregon State University is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar with expertise in food chemistry, food engineering, and analytical chemistry to join amultidisciplinary research team developing next-generation food systems that improve human health. The successful candidate will play a central leadership role in multiple federally andindustry-funded projects focused on the Food–Health Nexus, including precision delivery of macro- and micronutrients, proteins, gut health, women's health, food structure-functionrelationships, and sustainable food processing.
Unlike a project-specific postdoctoral appointment, this position is designed for an individual who enjoys working across multiple research areas, collaborating with students and faculty,generating new scientific ideas, and helping build a growing research program. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute intellectually to project development, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, assist with day-to-day laboratory operations, and actively participate in proposal development for federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners.
This is a minimum two-year appointment, and applicants should be prepared to commit to the full duration of the position.
Research Areas
Current projects span a broad range of topics at the interface of food, nutrition, and health, including:
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Precision delivery systems for micronutrients and bioactives
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Gut health, intestinal barrier function, and food-health interactions
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Dairy proteins, milk bioactives, and functional food ingredients
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Alternative proteins and novel food ingredients
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Protein chemistry and ingredient functionality
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Food colloids, emulsions, encapsulation, and controlled-release systems
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Sustainable food processing and valorization of agricultural side streams
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Food structure-function relationships
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Translational research bridging laboratory discovery and industrial application
Primary Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Scholar will serve as a senior research scientist within the laboratory and will:
Research Leadership-
Lead experimental design and execution across multiple concurrent research projects.
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Develop novel food delivery systems, functional ingredients, and processingtechnologies.
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Design and optimize laboratory experiments and interpret complex datasets.
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Contribute innovative scientific ideas that expand the laboratory's research portfolio.
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Maintain detailed research records and ensure high standards of scientific rigor andreproducibility.
Analytical Chemistry and Characterization
The successful candidate is expected to have strong hands-on experience with modern analytical techniques, including many of the following:
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HPLC/UHPLC
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LC-MS/MS
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GC/GC-MS
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ICP-OES/ICP-MS
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UV-Vis spectroscopy
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FTIR spectroscopy
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Fluorescence spectroscopy
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Particle size and zeta potential analysis
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Rheology
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DSC/TGA
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SDS-PAGE
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Microscopy techniques
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Statistical analysis of experimental data
Experience with method development and troubleshooting analytical instrumentation is highly desirable.
Student Mentoring
The postdoctoral scholar will:
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Mentor Ph.D., M.S., undergraduate students, and visiting scholars.
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Train laboratory personnel in experimental techniques and instrumentation.
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Assist students with troubleshooting experiments and data interpretation.
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Foster a collaborative and productive laboratory environment.
Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills are essential.
Proposal Development
The successful candidate will be expected to actively contribute to:
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Development of competitive grant proposals
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Literature reviews
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Experimental planning
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Preliminary data generation
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Writing technical sections of proposals
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Identification of emerging funding opportunities
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Development of new interdisciplinary research ideas
Candidates should demonstrate strong scientific writing skills and an interest in research program development.
Travel Requirements
This position requires regular travel between the Food Innovation Center in Portland and Oregon State University's main campus in Corvallis to access shared research infrastructureand core analytical facilities.
Examples include:-
Mass Spectrometry Facility
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Electron Microscopy Facility
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Materials characterization laboratories
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Imaging facilities
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Other university core research laboratories
Candidates must be willing to travel as needed to support project objectives.
Work Environment and Expectations
This is not a traditional 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. position. Research activities may require flexible scheduling to accommodate:
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Time-sensitive experiments
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Instrument availability
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Pilot-scale processing
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Collaborative studies
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Proposal deadlines
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Student mentoring
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Conference travel
The successful candidate should be self-motivated, highly organized, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment.
Required Qualifications
Applicants must have:
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Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline
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Strong background in food chemistry and food engineering
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Demonstrated expertise in analytical chemistry techniques relevant to food and biological systems
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Excellent experimental design and problem-solving skills
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Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
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Experience mentoring students or junior researchers
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
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Protein chemistry and functionality
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Dairy science
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Food colloids and emulsions
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Encapsulation and controlled-release technologies
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Gut health and in vitro digestion models
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Precision nutrient delivery
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Micronutrient bioavailability
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Food microstructure characterization
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Grant writing and proposal development
Desired Personal AttributesThe ideal candidate will be:
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Scientifically curious and innovative
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Highly collaborative and team-oriented
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Capable of managing multiple research projects simultaneously
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Committed to mentoring students and fostering their professional development
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Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
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Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary research environment
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Interested in translating fundamental science into practical solutions for the food industry and public health
Appointment-
Position: Full-time Postdoctoral Scholar
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Initial Appointment: 2 x 1 year (continued appointment contingent upon satisfactoryperformance and funding availability)
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Preferred Commitment: Candidates should be prepared to commit to the full two-yearappointment to ensure continuity of ongoing research projects, student mentoring, andproposal development.
Why Join the DadmoX Food–Health Nexus Laboratory?
Located at Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center in the heart of downtown Portland, this position offers the opportunity to help build a rapidly growing research program at theintersection of food chemistry, engineering, nutrition, and human health. The postdoctoral scholar will work on high-impact, multidisciplinary projects with strong translational potential,collaborate with leading academic and industry partners, mentor the next generation of scientists, and play a meaningful role in shaping the laboratory's future research directions throughscientific leadership and proposal development
For more information visit https://hr.oregonstate.edu/open-postdoctoral-scholar-positions/postdoctoral-scholar-–-food-chemistry-engineering-and-precision
Applicants please send CV to: [email protected]
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