Sustainable strategies against biofilms in the food industry

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INRAE presentation

INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, is a public research organization bringing together 12,000 employees across 272 units in 18 centers across France. As the world’s leading institute specializing in agriculture, food, and the environment, INRAE plays a key role in supporting the necessary transitions to address global challenges.

Faced with population growth, food security challenges, climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, INRAE is committed to developing scientific solutions and supporting the evolution of agricultural, food, and environmental practices.

Work environment, missions and activities

Nature and purpose of the research project to be developed and related activities
Biofilms that come into contact with food products result in contaminations with serious consequences; they are responisble for 40% of cases of food poisoning in France. Until now, the methods for dealing with biofilms have been based on the use of detergent/disinfectant products derived from petrochemicals. However, other than their fossil origin, these products result in excessive water consumption and pose a risk to the environment. You will develop sustainable approaches for the prevention and curation of surface contaminations by biofilms. The strategy will involve functionalising surfaces with bio-sourced molecules to obtain anti-biofilm coatings. You will also develop the formulation and performance of foam to eliminate bacteria and biofilms that adhere the most to surfaces. Finally, the 3rd pillar will be the development of “stimulable foams” that will detect bacteria with greater sensitivity.

Nature and purpose of the teaching project
Your teaching will be divided across two disciplines: Microbiology (32h) and Chemistry (16h). These disciplines will be taught in the various courses at the University of Lille and the IUT. The microbiology lessons will be primarily within the biological engineering BUT (Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies). Furthermore, lessons will also be scheduled within the framework of the Master’s in Water Sciences for which you will teach 10 hours of microbiology. Within the Biology UFR (Training and Research Unit), you will coordinate a 2-hour seminar on surface microbiology and hygiene. The chemistry courses will primarily concern lessons in surface hygiene and chemistry and physico-chemistry practicals at Lille IUT.

Funding and related resources
ANR Package : €200 000
INRAE Package : €325 500
Total : €525 500

Training and skills

Process engineering, chemistry, microbiology

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from:

- 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

International scientists, please visit your guide to facilitate your arrival and stay at INRAE.

Type of contract

Tenure-Track Junior Professor Chair enables recruitment of scientists based on a research and teaching project that lasts three years. At the end of this period, and following an assessment of your scientific achievements and professional capabilities, you may obtain a full-tenure position as Research Director (DR2).

A research and teaching agreement will specify the path you will follow towards full-tenure and enable you to acquire the qualifications necessary to become a full-tenure Research Director in your field.

You have until April 12, 2024 to submit your application. Only candidates previously selected on file by the selection committee will be invited to the hearing.