CSIRO Industry PhD Scholarship: Enhancing nutritional profiles of grains and pulses

Acknowledgement of Country 
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

The Opportunity

• Gain experience working with industry to solve real-world problems while you earn your PhD 
• Develop transferable professional skills 
• Get access to specialised expertise, equipment and training 

The CSIRO Industry PhD Scholarship (iPhD) Program is an industry-focused, applied research scholarship and training program that brings together an industry partner, the university and CSIRO. 

You will undertake a co-designed research project that will develop your ability to translate research into commercial outcomes.  

You will get real-world experience and access to specialised expertise, equipment and training.

Our graduates develop transferable professional skills and are well positioned to work at the cutting edge of industry focussed research.  

Scholarship details 

The Program includes:

• admission to the university PhD program  
• a four-year scholarship package of approx. $45,000 per annum  
• a four-year Project Expense and Development package of up to $13,000 per annum  
• an in-business component with an industry partner of at least 3 months 
• professional development training to enhance your applied research skills  
• supervision by CSIRO, the industry partner, and the university  

Project Title:  Enhancing nutritional profiles of grains and pulses through bioprocessing strategies 

Project Description:  There are clear consumer trends towards the shift to a healthy, plant-based and sustainable diet. The proportion of consumers who associate the benefits of oats with heart-health has been stable over decades and is increasing. Unigrain is interested in expanding their oat product range to address consumer pulls in novel oat products and those with additional health benefits. Sprouting has been identified as a bioprocessing strategy to enhance nutritional profiles of oats by increasing protein content and free amino acids. Other enhancements may include reduction of antinutrients like phytates as well as enhancing bioavailability of vitamins and other nutrients such as Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).   

The project will identify and characterise health-enhancing properties of oats that can be achieved from different sprouting methods. Substantiation of bioavailability and other health benefits will be undertaken using chemical and in-vitro models. Finally, sprouting processing methods will be benchmarked to ensure food safety including pre-treatment, application of germination enhancing nutrient and physical technologies, moisture levels and other operational conditions. Whilst the project initially focusses on the modification of the nutrition profile of oats, there may be opportunity to apply the developed strategies to other seeds such as faba beans. 

Project supervisors:   

CSIRO
    CSIRO supervisor: Regine Stockmann 
    Business Unit: Agriculture & Food 
    Research program: Food
    Email address: Regine.Stockmann@csiro.au 

University
    University supervisor: Stefan Kasapis 
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
    Email address: Stefan.kasapis@rmit.edu.au 
    Faculty: STEM
    School: Science  

Industry
    Company name: Unigrain Pty Ltd 
    Website: www.unigrain.com.au 

Location:     

• Primary location of the student: CSIRO – Werribee (VIC) 
• Other potential locations: RMIT University – Bundoora Campus (VIC) 
• In-business component with Industry partner: Unigrain facility (VIC)

Overview of who we are looking for 

The ideal student will have:

• Strong background in food chemistry/technology and in particular small molecule and nutrient chemistry. An ideal student should be familiar with broader aspects of bioprocessing strategies to modulate food composition and be comfortable with intermediate level statistics.  
• Broad range of laboratory skills in food chemistry and food product development, experience in the use of advanced analytical equipment and an interest in learning aspects of developing evidence for health claims for functional foods.  
• Embedded in a diverse team environment, an ideal student should demonstrate excellent teamwork and communication skills. A strong desire to translate scientific findings to commercial food processes and products is also required.  

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply you must:

•     be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen 
•     meet host university PhD admission requirements 
•     meet university English language requirements 
•     not have previously completed a PhD 
•     be able to commence the program in the year of the offer 
•     enrol as a full-time PhD student 

Applications will be assessed on:

1. Experience relevant to the field of research, including any research experience
2. Suitability for the project
3. Academic excellence
4. Motivation for undertaking an Industry PhD project

About CSIRO
At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

Further information about the CSIRO Industry PhD Program can be found at:  www.csiro.au/iphd  

How to Apply:

Applicants are required to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to the University supervisor Prof. Stefan Kasapis (stefan.kasapis@rmit.edu.au) and include the following information:

1.     CV, including any relevant research experience
2.     Transcript of highest degree achieved
3.     A statement (1000 words max) discussing their interest, background knowledge and a potential implementation approach to the project

For full details on how to apply, please see website at:  PhD scholarship in enhancing nutritional profiles of grains and pulses through bioprocessing strategies - RMIT University 

Applications close:   30 November 2022, 5:00pm AEDT