PhD student position - DC13– Aerogels Integrated into Electrospun Fibers for Innovative Food Solutions

About this position

FAroGels – Food-Grade Aerogels for Sustainable Food Systems

is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe. The network brings together academic and non-academic partners with complementary expertise in food science and technology, materials science, biopolymer science, biotechnology, process engineering, analytical characterization, packaging and sustainable innovation.

FAroGels

aims to develop, characterize and validate food-grade, bio-based and biodegradable aerogels for sustainable food systems. The network will investigate how these highly porous materials can support more efficient food processing, improved food quality and safety, nutritional and sensory functionality, protection and delivery of bioactive compounds, and sustainable packaging solutions.

This position forms part of the

FAroGels

research program on food-grade, bio-based, and biodegradable aerogels and their application in sustainable food systems. The selected candidate will be employed by AGH University of Krakow and will be required to enroll as a PhD student at the Doctoral School at AGH University of Krakow, in accordance with the relevant admission and enrolment requirements.

The doctoral project will focus on:

The doctoral project will focus on:

• The doctoral project will focus on the development of hybrid electrospun fiber–aerogel systems that combine the structural benefits of nanofibrous mats with the high porosity and functionality of biopolymer aerogels. The main scientific challenge is to achieve precise control over material architecture while ensuring mechanical stability and functional performance relevant to food packaging applications.
• Food-grade polymers will be processed via electrospinning to produce high-surface-area fibers with tunable porosity and flexibility. Key processing parameters, including applied voltage, flow rate, tip-to-collector distance, and environmental humidity, will be systematically optimized to tailor fiber morphology and network structure. These fibrous materials will be integrated with aerogel matrices to form hybrid systems with enhanced properties.
• The resulting materials will be comprehensively characterized to establish structure–function relationships. Morphology will be analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while chemical properties will be

examined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical behavior and barrier performance, including water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen permeability, will be evaluated.

• The project will deliver hybrid systems with controlled morphology and validated structural integrity, supported by complete characterization data. It will also demonstrate the incorporation and controlled release of bioactive compounds. Ultimately, the research will enable the development of packaging-relevant prototypes with improved barrier properties and active functionality, alongside a predictive framework linking processing conditions to material performance for industrial application.
• The position will involve laboratory-based research, data analysis, scientific communication and close collaboration with other FAroGels Doctoral Candidates, supervisors and partner organizations.