Funded Master's Studentship Opportunity in Sensory and Consumer Science

Value: Fully funded with full-time fees covered and a stipend of $30,000
Duration: One year
Number available: One studentship available.
Location: On-campus at Massey University's Palmerston North campus.
Type of study: Full-time, Postgraduate, Masters
Of note: This opportunity is open exclusively to New Zealand or Australian residents.
Application dates
Applications open: 8 November 2023
Closing date: 27 November 2023
Restrictions
Eligibility restrictions: Requirement of New Zealand or Australian residency.
DETAILS
Understanding Consumer Acceptability of Dairy Beverages.
Feast, the Food Experience and Sensory Testing Lab, is inviting applications for a fully funded one-year Master's student to carry out a research project to understand consumer responses to dairy products in collaboration with Fonterra Research and Development Centre (FRDC). Feast is a diverse and welcoming team working in state-of-the-art consumer and sensory laboratories, including focus group and training rooms, a digital immersive space, and dedicated booths. Fonterra is one of the largest global dairy manufacturers, as well as New Zealand's largest exporter of dairy products.
In today's competitive dairy markets, understanding drivers of consumer acceptability is paramount. As part of a wider program of work with the sponsor, you will investigate approaches to understand the range of sensory characteristics acceptable to consumers across selected dairy beverages.
We are seeking a graduate with a BFoodtech Honors degree with a minimum achievement of 2.1 or an equivalent degree in Food Science or other relevant disciplines (e.g., Psychology) who meets Massey's Master of Food Technology entry requirements. This includes English language proficiency at IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent if English is not your native language. Ideally, you will have studied sensory science or perception as part of your undergraduate degree, have carried out projects with human participants, and have an interest in food perception. You should demonstrate excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. In return, you will benefit from the support of the broader Feast and Fonterra research teams. The studentship will give you an opportunity to be part of a vibrant sensory research community in the newly built Feast lab facilities.
You will be based at Massey University's Palmerston North campus. Notably, Palmerston North is a central hub for food-related research in NZ, with Massey University co-located with other Food HQ partners, including FRDC, and other research institutes, including The Riddet Institute, Plant and Food Research, and AgResearch.
Only applications from applicants with New Zealand residency will be considered.
The successful applicant is expected to start on February 1, 2024.
Applicants must submit a cover letter clearly indicating why they would be the right candidate for this studentship and their CV to j.larking1@massey.ac.nz. Applicants are encouraged to contact j.hort@massey.ac.nz to discuss the studentship before applying.
The closing date is November 27th, 2023, but applications will be considered as they are received
LINK and Further details: https://www.massey.ac.nz/study/scholarships-and-awards/masters-studentship-opportunity-in-sensory-and-consumer-science/