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Postdoctoral scholar, Food-Gut-Brain Lab: dietary carbohydrates, fibres and polyphenols in gut-brain health
Penn State's Department of Food Science is hiring a postdoctoral scholar for Dr. Anna Hayes' Food-Gut-Brain Lab at University Park. The research links the chemical structure of carbohydrate foods, dietary fibres and polyphenols from food by-products, and process-induced compounds to eating behaviour, metabolism, cognition and gut-brain interactions.
- Country
- United States
- Experience
- Experience not specified
- Salary / stipend
- Pay not disclosed
- Apply by
- 01 Dec 2026
- Job type
- Full-time
- Work mode
- On-site
- Function
- Research
- Openings
- 1
Contact for this vacancy
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PhD in food science, nutrition science or a related field by the appointment date
Review the original notice to confirm the requirements. Related degrees are not automatically equivalent; the recruiting organisation decides eligibility.
What you’ll do
- Lead and assist projects on how the chemical structures of carbohydrate-containing foods and climate-smart crops affect eating behaviour, metabolism and cognition
- Study dietary fibres and bioactives such as polyphenols from food by-product streams and underused food components, and their effects on gut-brain interactions
- Investigate the health impacts of process-induced compounds and food-based strategies to counter them
- Develop independent research directions
- Contribute to grant writing and mentor students
What the employer asks for
- PhD in food science, nutrition science or a related field by the appointment date
- Desired: research experience with animal models
- Desired: chemistry of dietary carbohydrates (starch, fibre), polyphenols and/or Maillard reaction products
- Preferred: LC-MS and/or gut microbiome characterisation
- Strong publication record and creativity in research and scholarly communication
- Ability to work in collaborative teams
Selection process
- Rolling review of applications until filled
- Interview
- Background checks and clearances
Documents to keep ready
- CV
- Names of three professional references
- Cover letter on research interests and career goals
Pay, benefits and perks
Penn State postdoctoral benefits package for full-time employees
About the employer
Penn State's Department of Food Science at University Park is one of the largest food science departments in the United States.
How to apply
Apply by email to amh9504@psu.edu.
The position should be filled by 1 Dec 2026; review began immediately and continues until filled
Skills for this role
What employers ask for in Research (JRF / SRF / PhD / Postdoc) roles. named in this notice
- Carbohydrate and dietary fibre chemistry
- Polyphenols
- Maillard reaction products
- LC-MS
- Gut microbiome characterisation
- Animal model research
- PhD
- Postdoctoral
- Junior Research Fellow
- JRF
- Senior Research Fellow
- SRF
- Research Associate
- Food Technology research
- GATE XL
- ICAR NET
Pay on similar vacancies
From 3 Research & Academia vacancies on FSD in the same role family that publish pay. Monthly, before deductions.
Prepare for the interview
Questions commonly asked for Research (JRF / SRF / PhD / Postdoc) roles. Practise answers with an example and a number.
- Summarise your dissertation or main research project in two minutes for a non-specialist panel.
- Why this group or lab, and how does your experience fit the project described in the call?
- How did you design your experiments and choose the statistical analysis?
- Which analytical techniques have you used hands-on, and what were their limitations?
- What would be the first three months of work on this project if you were selected?
- Tell us about a result that did not work and what you did next.
Before you apply
- Read the original notice end to endDates, eligibility and the application route are decided by the employer, not by FSD.
- Tailor your resume to this vacancyMatch the keywords in the requirements. Resume Studio shows what is missing.
- Prepare a short research statementOne page on your project experience and why this group or call fits.
- Line up refereesMost calls ask for two or three referees; tell them in advance.
- Check the funding termsFellowship amount, duration, HRA and eligibility (NET / GATE) differ between calls.
Source & editorial check
Apply on the Penn State job board; address materials to Dr. Anna Hayes (amh9504@psu.edu). Term position; length discussed at interview. Current Penn State employees and students must apply internally through Workday.
Original posting: 2026-06-30
Checked 2026-11-06 · Updated 2026-11-06
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