Phd Position

Health Canada requires the food industry to declare 10 allergens and gluten sources on food packaging. Given the growing number of tests required, and the high cost of allergen detection methods such as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay), the famous precautionary statement "May contain..." has become overspread. In the absence of a more effective and less costly detection method, allergy sufferers will continue to impose either a restrictive diet or a risk to their health.

A team of researchers from three Quebec universities (Université de Sherbrooke, UdeS, Université de Montréal, UdeM and Université Laval) has teamed up with two government agencies (Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada) and two non-profit consumer organizations (Food Allergy Canada and Cœliaque Québec) to develop a new allergen detection method that is more robust, more sensitive, and less expensive than ELISA. The mehtod is based on a Raman probe, which consists of a carbon nanohorn (CNH) in which a dye is encapsulated and onto which an antibody is grafted. The Raman signal will be more precise and detailed than the fluorescence signal from ELISA and will enable parallel acquisition of signals from more than one allergen at a time. The aim is to offer the agri-food industry an effective, robust and less expensive device. Ultimately, this technological leverage will enable stakeholders to improve the use of precautionary allergen labelling and better protect allergic consumers.

Researched profile:

- University degree and master's degree in engineering or science in chemistry, materials or physics.
- Experience in synthesis or characterization of carbon nanomaterials. Extensive experience in transmission electron microscopy characterization methods is an asset.
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in English or French.
- Strong capacity for adaptation, autonomy, teamwork and problem-solving.
- Strong taste for design, experimental work, interdisciplinary R&D and entrepreneurship

**Documents to provide**: CV, transcripts of the past two years and references.

Type d'emploi : Temps plein

Salaire : à partir de 23,00$ par heure

Heures prévues : 37 par semaine

Avantages:

- Bourses d'Études
- Formation linguistique offerte
- Horaires flexibles

Flexible Language Requirement:

- Français non requis

Horaires de travail:

- Du Lundi au Vendredi

Formation:

- Maîtrise (Obligatoire)

Langue:

- Français (Souhaité)

Lieu du poste : En présentiel