PhD scholarship in Scaling up of Novel, Hybrid Downstream Biorefinery Processes – DTU Chemical Engineering

If you are an ambitious engineer who have already finished your MSc and who would like to develop your career on a solid basis of knowledge of unit operations for separation and purification of novel bioproducts with high interest at industrial level, this position is the perfect one to fulfill your dreams and ambitions.

Biomanufacturing is one of the fastest growing fields and a driver for the transition from a fossil-based to a circular bio-based economy and a sustainable future. If you would like to become an expert in this strategically important interdisciplinary field and contribute to the green transition, we have an opportunity for you.

The department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark offers a PhD position in downstream processing, particularly in the field of submerged membrane fermenters. The project will address the question of how to develop efficient product removal during fermentation, in an attempt to boost productivity while reducing product inhibition. This position will be hosted at the Center for Process and Systems Engineering and the activities will be developed at pilot plant scale.

The integration of subsequent reaction-separation steps in the production of biological products is widely recognized as one of the most efficient methods contributing to process intensification in downstream processing. By merging these steps, it enables better control and cost-effectiveness while streamlining the overall process.

This project aims to conduct a pilot plant-scale investigation into two integrated sets of unit operations: 1) fermentation + filtration, and 2) fermentation + liquid-liquid extraction. In the first scenario, our emphasis lies in effectively transitioning from small to larger fermenters, optimizing the scaling-up process. Meanwhile, in the second scenario, our attention is directed towards employing a novel generation of eco-friendly solvents i.e. deep eutectic solvents, and examining the interplay between kinetics and mass transfer during fermentation. The project will be executed in pilot plant facilities with a specific emphasis on applications at a large scale.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s competences within the field of downstream processing, with special focus on the development and evaluation of a submerged membrane reactor for in situ product removal as well as the integration between fermentation and solid-liquid extraction. Fouling reduction will be one of the core topics of the project, which will also entail the design of a coupled system able to reduce fouling and perform the operation in continuous. You will work with nearby colleagues, and with both academic and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad.

You must have a MSc degree in Chemical, Biochemical Engineering, Food Technology or similar and you must have worked with membrane technology. The candidate must have previous experience in:

• Previous educational background and experience in downstream processing
• Handling of unit operations at least at lab scale
• Handling bio-based compounds and/or purification protocols
• Membrane technology basic knowledge and experience
• Indeally have worked with mechanical techniques to reduce fouling, particularly backshocking or with other methods for in situ removal of biocompounds

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

Assessment
The applications will be assessed based on the qualifications, academic and personal skills of the candidates.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is until the end of August 2024.

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 April 2024 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Manuel Pinelo ([email protected] ) and Professor John Woodley ([email protected]).

You can read more about the DTU Chemical Engineering at www.kt.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 18 February 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

At the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering it is our main objective to meet today’s industrial challenges and create value through education, innovation and research. DTU Chemical Engineering’s main activities lie within the areas of product design, process design and production in the chemical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, food technological and energy technological industries.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk