The projectThis research project aims to develop quality control methods for dairy industrial raw material based on the rapid and non-invasive profiling of volatile compounds by Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass-Spectrometry (PTR-MS), a direct injection mass spectrometry technique, equipped with a Time-of-Flight (ToF) mass analyzer. The study will be complemented both by sensory and gas-chromatographic data. This research project will provide the selected candidate with the opportunity to develop skills related to volatile organic compound analysis, instrumental and software developments, data analysis, and data mining.The ScholarshipThe successful candidate will receive a scholarship of 20,000.00 Euro per year (before taxes). Please notice that scholarship holders do not benefit from pension rights.In addition to the scholarship, a financial contribution will be available to cover travel expenses associated with the project implementation/training activities/participation in conferences, and for the coverage of university tuition fees.Please notice that FEM is a research Foundation and cannot issue a PhD degree, nor does it handle requests for registration as a PhD student. Accordingly, the selected candidate will be required to register in a PhD programme in an Italian or foreign university at the latest within one year after the start of the scholarship. If at the end of the first year the selected candidate is not yet registered as a PhD student, the scholarship will be terminated.The duration of the scholarship is 3 years and the expected starting date is as soon as possible or upon admission of the selected candidate in a relevant PhD programme. The official working language is English.Admission RequirementsWe are looking for talented and motivated candidates 30 years old or younger at the time of their application (born after the 21th of May 1986). Eligible candidates have an Italian Laurea Magistrale, (recognised by Ministerial Decree no. 270 of 22 October 2004 or equivalent degree), or a university master’s degree awarded abroad and considered suitable by the admissions committee. Foreign qualifications must be equivalent to the Italian ‘Laurea Magistrale’ (Master’s degree), in terms of duration, level and subject area and must give access to an academic course equivalent to the PhD in the country the degree was issued.Candidates who expect to obtain their qualification giving them access to a PhD programme by the end of June 2016 can also submit their application (in this case the PhD scholarship will only start after obtainment of the degree).ApplicationsTo apply, please send:1. Your CV, including:a. the names, titles and email addresses of two referees (only institutional email addresses are accepted), b. the formula: “I give my consent to the treatment of my personal data according to the Italian privacy law-D.lgs. 196/2003”. Please note that any application not reporting this formula will be disregarded.2. a scanned copy of your valid ID Card (EU citizens) or Passport (non EU citizens) to phd.fem@fmach.it (object: FerMicOH Application).The two referees indicated in the CV need to send a reference letter to phd.fem@fmach.it.The deadline for applications is 30 May 2016 (h. 12.00 p.m. time of Italy). The two reference letters also need to be sent by 30 May 2016. Reference letters must be sent directly by the two referees, from their institutional email address. Reference letters sent by non-institutional email addresses, or directly forwarded by candidates will not be considered. Please note that incomplete applications will be disregarded. Inform your referees early enough to allow them to transmit the letter in time!For general questions regarding the application procedure please contact phd.fem@fmach.it.The FEM International Research School