The design of food processes and microstructures is a major research activity in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Birmingham. Within this theme we carry out research to provide underpinning support to the food industry and to drive research forward in the new areas that are demanded by consumers and policy makers eg, healthy foods that are convenient, safe and still fit into a normal diet or are even seen as indulgent (healthy indulgent) and the design of food processes with zero waste and thus lower environmental impact.

The group at Birmingham is the largest of its type in any UK academic engineering department (currently consisting of four members of staff, four post doctoral research fellows and 30 PhD and Engineering Doctoral students). Research in food processing is carried out in partnership with key companies such as Nestlé, Unilever and Cadbury, and through visiting professorships. Joint research takes place with food science departments at Nottingham, Leeds and Reading universities.

Current work is aimed at developing reaction engineering approaches to food processing, and incorporation of research on food flavour, texture and microbiology into fluid mechanical and thermal models for food processes. The long-term aim is to model product safety and quality, allowing minimal pilot plant trials of new products.

Current work (carried out in many of the science groups described elsewhere) includes:

• Interaction between process history and product structure and flavour, including thermal and crystallisation events in chocolate tempering, and development of computer models for such processes
• Online measurements of physical and quality parameters in biscuit baking
• Models for structured foods
• Flavour development in brewing processes
• Surface fouling, cleaning and food hygiene, including models for bacterial growth in solids under transient thermal conditions and measurement of adhesion of biofilms to surfaces
• Understanding of the role of chemistry and fluid mechanics in agglomeration and fouling of milk-based foods
• Immobilised lipases for production of fatty acids and upgrading of oil quality
• Computer modelling of safety and quality in flowing foods

Related links

School of Chemical Engineering 

Our mission is to carry out research of the highest academic quality, which is novel, challenging and relevant to users.

Our strengths are in design and characterisation of microstructured products, and in heat and mass transfer, fluid flow, particle technology and materials engineering across chemical, biological and physical systems. We collaborate with world-class industry, and with leading edge engineering and science departments nationally and internationally.

Research centres

The Centre for Formulation Engineering

The Centre's mission is to carry out research of the highest academic quality, which is novel, challenging and relevant to users. Particular strengths are in design and characterisation of microstructured products, and in heat and mass transfer, fluid flow, particle technology and materials engineering across chemical, biological and physical systems. We collaborate with world-class industry, and with leading edge engineering and science departments nationally and internationally.

Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Materials Processing - IRC

The primary objective of the research programme in the Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) is the development of materials, through materials processing and of manufacturing technologies so that the properties of the materials are fully exploited. Close interaction with industry is an essential part of this philosophy. The programmes that are in operation with industry vary from long term projects to short term problem-solving.

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Contact us

• Sophie Miller - Careers consultant (s.a.miller@bham.ac.uk)
• Richard Newman- Careers consultant (r.j.newman@bham.ac.uk)
• Caroline Egan - Careers adviser (c.egan@bham.ac.uk)
• Brendan Bacon - Internship officer (b.bacon@bham.ac.uk)
• Carl Jukes - Applications support adviser (c.jukes@bham.ac.uk)

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2010/11 (postgraduate taught graduates)

The DLHE survey is conducted 6 months after graduation.

Range of Employers for Birmingham's Chemical Engineering Graduates

• Bristol Myers Squibb
• Cadbury
• Dairy Crest Group plc
• ExxonMobil Group
• Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd
• Johnson Matthey
• Procter & Gamble
• Rolls-Royce plc
• Unilever plc
• University of Birmingham

Range of Occupations for Birmingham's Chemical Engineering Graduates

• Biochemical Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Environmental Health Officer
• Lecturer
• Process Engineer
• Product Development Engineer
• Production Engineer
• Research Assistant
• Research Engineer
• Research Fellow

Range of Courses of Further Study for Birmingham's Chemical Engineering Graduates:

• MRes Chemical Engineering Science
• MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering
• MSc Biochemical Engineering
• MSc Chemical Engineering
• PhD Chemical Engineering
• PhD Formulation Engineering
• PhD Regenerative Medicine

Visit the Careers section of the University website for further information.