PhD Position in Microbiology and Food Technology: Biogenic Dyes in Food Applications University of Réunion in France

The University of Réunion, in collaboration with the Marie Skłodowska Curie Doctoral Network “DyeAnotherWay,” is offering a fully funded 36-month PhD position in Microbiology and Food Technology. This exciting opportunity is part of a large international research consortium involving 17 organizations across 11 countries, providing a unique platform for interdisciplinary and intersectoral research experience.

The doctoral research will focus on the identification and characterization of dye-producing bacteria and the application of bacterial dyes in food products. The successful candidate will select and isolate relevant bacterial strains, perform taxonomic identification, analyze sequence data for safety and dye production characteristics, and characterize enzyme expression involved in dye formation. Additional tasks include screening for other dye-producing species, ranking them by production efficiency and safety, ensuring compliance with the Nagoya protocol, and developing innovative dyeing procedures and formulations for food applications such as beverages and meat alternatives.

This position offers the chance to gain expertise in microbiology, fermentation, pigment extraction, and food formulation, as well as valuable soft skills in project and research management. The candidate will benefit from international mobility, with up to 11 months of research stays at partner institutions, and will be part of a vibrant, multidisciplinary network.

Eligibility and Requirements: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Microbiology, Food Chemistry, Food Science, Biotechnology, Biology, Molecular Life Sciences) and have fewer than four years of research experience at the time of employment. Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in France for more than 12 months in the three years prior to July 1, 2026, unless as part of a refugee procedure. Excellent English skills, international mobility, and the ability to work in a diverse environment are essential. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in bacterial strain isolation, pigment analysis, and food formulation.

Funding: The position is funded under the EU Marie Curie European Training Network, offering a competitive annual salary, monthly mobility supplement, and family allowance if eligible.

Application Process: Interested candidates should send a motivation letter and full CV (Europass format), along with supporting documents, as a single PDF to [email protected] by November 15, 2025. The email should include “DC11 Application” in the subject line and the GDPR consent clause. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

For more information, visit the position page or the university contact page.