Risk assessment of emerging contaminants in food and animal products

Description

Our team is currently looking for a motivated candidate for a PhD project on contaminants in food and animal products. This project is part of the CAP-Climat research chair and the activities of the Plateforme d'analyse des risques et d'excellence en règlementation des aliments (PARERA) at the Institut de nutrition et des aliments fonctionnels, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today. The CAP-Climat research chair focuses on the study of contaminants increased by climate change, and those associated with the valorization of food waste by-products in animal feed, whether organic (e.g. POPs, mycotoxins) or inorganic (e.g. heavy metals).

The PARERA research group conducts research into food risk analysis for the development of regulatory decisions, including the development and analysis of data that enable risk assessments to be carried out, and the formulation of food risk management options.

As part of the project, the successful candidate will review the incidence of certain contaminants in animal products (starting with mycotoxins), and develop corresponding risk assessment studies.

Feeding livestock with food waste is an age-old practice that appears to be a solution of choice in climate change mitigation strategies in many countries, but this is not without risks, particularly with the presence of contaminants in this waste. Some of these contaminants are well known, such as mycotoxins, produced by certain types of fungi. The occurrence of these mycotoxins is expected to increase as a result of climate change. Better management of these contaminants, whose presence is likely to be exacerbated by the impact of climate change, is a priority for livestock farmers.

Research Field

- Food Science
- Mycotoxins
- Risk Assessment
- Regulatory Sciences

Research Supervisor

Samuel Godefroy

Research Environment

Faculty of agricultural and food sciences

Web Site

Financial Aid Available by Program of Study

Doctorate in Food Science

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

$25000 per year for 3 years.

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Submission and approval of research proposal AND project outline	$3,000
Expected progression in the study program	$3,000
First submission of dissertation before the end of the 11th semester	$4,000
Total	$10,000

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,500 to $3,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$25,000 to $40,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $49,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Desired Profile

- Agriculture and Food
- Food Science and Technology
- Biochemistry

Requirements and Conditions

- Experience or knowledge in analytical chemistry
- Advanced English (essential)
- Systematic and organized
- Motivated, curious and independent

Required Documentation

- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitæ
- Student transcript

Application Deadline

July 1, 2025

Find Out More

Jérémie Theolier
Professionnel de recherche
Département des sciences des aliments
jeremie.theolier@fsaa.ulaval.ca