M2A Funded EngD Studentship: Advanced Packaging Solutions for Shelf Life Management within Fresh Food

Swansea University is a UK top 30 institution for research excellence (Research Excellence Framework 2014), and has been named Welsh University of the Year 2017 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

Applications are invited for a fully funded EngD studentship in Engineering. The successful candidate is expected to start their studentship in October 2017.

Development of new advance solutions for improved packaging of fresh food is fundamental to tackle important issues such as improved food safety, shelf life time, reduction of spoilage and improved customer experience. Modern, low environmental impact packaging plays a key role in developing a more long term, sustainable and environmentally friendly supply chain.

Packaging of fresh food, such as meat and fish, offers challenges with rejection of food products associated to liquid and odour release after packaging.

Project Aims

The project aim is to develop novel packaging solutions for enhanced shelf life and product desirability of fresh product by addressing challenges linked to liquid and odour management. The project will address:

1) “Management of liquid within fresh meat and fish packaging”

Many fresh meat and fish products exude significant quantities of liquid during their shelf lives. This is both unsightly and potentially detrimental to shelf life. Such drip loss is frequently managed by the addition of a separate soaker pad resulting in additional packaging components, poor appearance and reduced recyclability. The objective of this part of the project is to develop a higher quality, better integrated alternative solution to soaker pads for managing drip-loss within food safe packaging.

2) “Management of odour within fresh meat packaging”

Meat products (such as fish and poultry) exhibit strong containment odour during opening of the packaging, resulting in off complaints and customer returns of products that are within shelf life and fit for consumption. The objective of this part of the project is to introduce technology into the pack to reduce or eliminate these odours.

The project would be of particular interest for students interested in developing skills and expertise in sustainability, materials and functional coating. The student will develop the project in close association with the sponsoring company.

The Athena SWAN Charter recognises work undertaken by institutions to advance gender equality. The College of Engineering is an Athena SWAN bronze award holder and is committed to addressing unequal gender representation.

Sponsoring Company: Linpac (https://www.linpacpackaging.com/)

LINPAC Packaging are a large privately owned company, headquartered in the UK with manufacturing sites in Europe, Australia & China. We occupy market leading positions within the food packaging industry across Europe, producing packaging for fresh meat, fresh produce, bakery and the food service industry. We have a strong environmental policy and use a high proportion of recycled materials in our products.

Core product groups are:

Thermoformed trays. These are manufactured by thermoforming extruded rigid sheet (Polypropylene and PET), foam (expanded polystyrene) and the thermoforming of these sheets into food packaging.
Extruded films.
LINPAC is widely regarded as an innovative company and look to supply packaging solutions that address emerging consumer and market trends

Eligibility

Candidates should hold an Engineering or Physical Sciences degree with a minimum classification level of 2:1 or equivalent relevant experience. The candidate should hold a degree in materials science, (polymer) chemistry, engineering, physics, or similar technical discipline.

Our funders require applicants to also meet the following eligibility criteria:

You must be a UK or EU citizen (i.e. eligible for ‘home’ tuition fees at the University) and have the right to work in Wales at the end of your studies.
You must be resident in West Wales and the Valleys at the point of enrolment and throughout the duration of your studies.
You must not be financially able to participate without the award of grant funding.
Further information regarding eligibility criteria can be found at: http://www.materials-academy.co.uk/eligibility