Food Processing PhD/MPhil: University of Briminghum

This is the largest chemical engineering-based food research group in the UK, incorporating research into structured foods, flavour delivery and food hygiene.

Research in food processing is carried out in partnership with key companies such as Nestlé, Unilever and Cadbury, and through visiting professorships. Joint research takes place with food science departments at Nottingham, Leeds and Reading Universities.

Current work is aimed at developing reaction engineering approaches to food processing, and incorporation of research on food flavour, texture and microbiology into fluid mechanical and thermal models for food processes. The long-term aim is to model product safety and quality, allowing minimal pilot plant trials of new products.

Current work (carried out in many of the science groups described elsewhere) includes:

• Interaction between process history and product structure and flavour, including thermal and crystallisation events in chocolate tempering, and development of computer models for such processes
• Online measurements of physical and quality parameters in biscuit baking
• Models for structured foods
• Flavour development in brewing processes
• Surface fouling, cleaning and food hygiene, including models for bacterial growth in solids under transient thermal conditions and measurement of adhesion of biofilms to surfaces
• Understanding of the role of chemistry and fluid mechanics in agglomeration and fouling of milk-based foods
• Immobilised lipases for production of fatty acids and upgrading of oil quality
• Computer modelling of safety and quality in flowing foods

Initial enquiries about the research opportunities available in food processing should be made to Dr Neil Rowson, who will put you in touch with the appropriate member of staff.

• Contact: Dr Neil Rowson
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5298
• Email: n.a.rowson@bham.ac.uk

English language requirements

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk...

Entry requirements

The normal entrance qualification for PhD study is either at least an upper second-class Honours degree, or a first degree of a lower classification, along with an MSc or evidence of substantial relevant industrial experience.

For more information about Entry requirements visit

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/entry/

How to apply

Online applications

If you submit an online application, please write your ID number on your supporting documents when you send them to us. You will receive an ID number by email on the day after you submit your application (apart from applications submitted on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when the email will arrive on Monday).

If you send in your supporting documents before completing the online application form, please make sure that you write your full name, date of birth and the programme you are applying for on all the documents.

Paper application form

If you apply using the paper application form, please include, where possible, your supporting documents with the application.

Where to send supporting documents

• Address: Admissions
  Aston Webb Building
  University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  UK

Tuition fees and costs

The University charges an annual tuition fee. This covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students. Fees are payable at the start of your programme.

When you accept the offer of a place, you are also accepting responsibility for the payment of your tuition fees, even if you are sponsored or in receipt of an award and the sponsor fails to pay. It is therefore very important that you have sufficient funds available to you. Unfortunately, if you fail to pay the fees, you will not be permitted to continue your studies.

For more information about tuition fees visit

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/finance/fees.shtml

For general information about open days

• 3 December

Their Postgraduate Open Day is the ideal opportunity to visit the University and find out more about the research areas or programmes that interest you.

• Contact person: Steve Allmark
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5430
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3850
• Email: pgopenday@contacts.bham.ac.uk

For more information about other tours and visits:

• Contact: Student Recruitment and Outreach Office
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3374
• Email: schools-liaison@bham.ac.uk

Contact details

Main University Switchboard

• Postal Address: University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  UK
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
• Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

Postgraduate Admissions

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5488
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 6378
• Email: admissions@bham.ac.uk

International Applicant Enquiries

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3694
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3850
• Email: international@bham.ac.uk

Financial Support Office

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6720
• Fax: + 44(0)121 414 7926
• Email: financialsupport@bham.ac.uk