PhD position: Exploring radio frequency technology as processing method within the insect value chain

28 Feb 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Biological sciences
Engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

29 Apr 2025 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38 hours/week

Offer Starting Date

1 Aug 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Reference Number

BAP-2025-125

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

As the transition towards a sustainable and circular economy accelerates, industrially reared edible insects are gaining importance in the production of food, feed, and biochemicals. By converting organic side streams into valuable biomass, insects offer enormous potential. However, to ensure the production of safe, high-quality, and economically viable insect-based products, several challenges must be addressed.

Under the supervision of Prof. Dries Vandeweyer, this PhD project explores radio frequency (RF) technology as a novel processing method for the insect industry. RF technology is a dielectric, volumetric heating method that uses electromagnetic waves for efficient heat treatment, drying, and decontamination. While widely applied in the food industry, its potential for insect processing remains largely unexplored. This research aims to assess RF technology effectiveness in stabilising and decontaminating insect-related matrices, including rearing substrates, whole insects, insect-based products, and frass (rearing residues), contributing to optimisation of processing technologies for the insect sector.

The project will focus on investigating and optimising RF processing for insect-related materials, using pilot-scale RF equipment at the Insect Pilot Plant (KU Leuven, Campus Geel). By refining process parameters, it will explore applications for organic side streams, whole insects (such as black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) and mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)) as well as insect-based products and frass. The impact of RF processing on microbiological safety, stability, and shelf life will be evaluated and compared with benchmark technologies such as blanching and hot air drying. Through a combination of (physico)chemical, microbiological, nutritional, and organoleptic analyses, the project aims to establish RF technology as a reliable, scalable, and efficient processing method for insect-based applications.

As a PhD researcher, you will conduct cutting-edge research in processing technology and insect production, working closely with Prof. Vandeweyer and collaborating with colleagues within and beyond the research group. You will play an active role in the daily activities of the Research Group IP&P and develop the scientific and technical skills needed to address future challenges in the field. Your research will lead to a doctoral dissertation to be defended at the Faculty of Engineering Technology at KU Leuven. Throughout the programme, you will have opportunities to supervise bachelor's and master’s students, present at national and international conferences, and publish your findings in scientific journals, contributing to the broader academic and industrial community.

Where to apply

Website

https://easyapply.jobs/r/qpFR9gq23IKnMqxNtEy

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer you a full-time PhD position for 4 years, pending on a positive evaluation by your PhD committee after year 1. Remuneration will be according to the KU Leuven salary scales (https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd/phd-information#workin… ) and includes generous benefits in addition to Belgium’s strong social supports.
Our dynamic team will support you to successfully obtain a PhD degree via an in-depth scientific training at a top-ranked university. You will have opportunities to participate in national and international meetings and establish your own network, as well as to publish your results in respected academic journals. In addition, you receive career guidance and are encouraged to develop soft skills for science-adjacent careers in policy or communication via the Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd ).

Eligibility criteria

Our team is looking for a PhD candidate who should fulfil the following requirements:

• You have a Master’s degree with at least distinction (cum laude) in Bioengineering Technology, Bioscience engineering, Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Food technology, Engineering technology or a related discipline;
• You are highly motivated to do research in a dynamic research environment;
• You have a strong interest in (food) processing technology, (physico)chemistry and microbiology;
• You are open to conducting experiments with insects, or already have experience in that field;
• You are communicative, creative, eager to learn and able to work independently as well as part of a team;
• You have good communication skills in written and spoken English;
• You are proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams;
• You are willing and eligible to apply for a personal PhD grant (e.g. FWO fellowship: https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/all-calls/phd/phd-fellowship-s… or https://www.fwo.be/en/support-programmes/all-calls/phd/phd-fellowship-f… ).

Selection process

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ing. Dries Vandeweyer, tel.: +32 14 72 13 42, mail: dries.vandeweyer@kuleuven.be .
You can apply for this job no later than 29/04/2025 via the online application tool

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Antwerpen

City

Geel

Postal Code

2440

Street

Geel

Geofield

Contact

State/Province

Geel

City

Antwerpen

Street

Geel

Postal Code

2440

E-Mail

dries.vandeweyer@kuleuven.be

STATUS: EXPIRED

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Whatsapp
• 
  More share options
  • E-mail
  • Pocket
  • Viadeo
  • Gmail
  • Weibo
  • Blogger
  • Qzone
  • YahooMail