Fully Funded Riddet Institute Master’s Scholarship Opportunity in Sensory and Consumer Science For New Zealand/Australian Residents
Location: BSI, Mount Albert, Auckland
1 Year Full-time Fees and $30K Stipend (awarded by the Riddet Institute)
Measuring Consumer response to Dairy and Plant-based products
The Sensory & Consumer Science Team of the Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) in conjunction with Feast, the Food experience and sensory testing Lab, is inviting applications for a fully funded one-year Master’s researcher to carry out a research project to understand consumer response to Dairy and Plant-based dairy analogues under the supervision of Prof Joanne Hort (Feast), Dr Roger Harker and Christina Roigard (BSI). The research will be undertaken with the BSI team in their advanced sensory laboratory in Auckland which includes 18 state-of-the-art booths, 2 training and focus group rooms and an extensive sample preparation area. BSI is a new organisation that brings together AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion (https://www.bioeconomyscience.co.nz/).
This project aims to understand the relative impact of texture manipulation (both thickness and mouthfeel modifications) and flavour (sweetness, sourness, and aromatics) on the perception of dairy yoghurt and plant-based yoghurt alternatives. The successful applicant will develop their own programme of research within a team that has experience in dairy and plant-based products (milks, cheeses, and yoghurts) to improve sensory characterisation and understanding of how the complexity of different consumption situations distracts from that precision. The project will draw upon established methodologies that have been successfully applied across other product categories and will also have the opportunity to expand on these with new methodologies.
We are seeking a graduate with a BFoodtech Honours degree at a minimum achievement of 2.1, or an equivalent degree in Food Science or other similar/relevant discipline, 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 choice behaviour. You should demonstrate excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills. In return, you will benefit from the support of the broader Feast and BSI research teams. The Riddet Institute scholarship will give you an opportunity to benefit from being part of a wider research community that is a National Centre of Research Excellence for New Zealand, as well as a vibrant sensory research community in BSI and its collaborator Feast.
Only applicants with New Zealand or Australian permanent residency will be considered. The successful applicant is expected to start between early November 2026 and March 2027.
Applicants must submit a cover letter explaining why they are the right candidate for this scholarship, together with their CV, to J.larking1@massey.ac.nz. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Harker roger.harker@plantandfood.co.nz or Professor Hort j.hort@massey.ac.nz to discuss the scholarship before applying.
The final closing date is Oct 31st 2026, but applications will be considered as they are received, and the scholarship may be awarded sooner.
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