DOCTORAL RESEARCHER (ELECTROFERMENTATION)/ VÄITÖSKIRJATUTKIJA (SÄHKÖFERMENTAATIO)

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The research group on Microbial electrochemical technologies at the Bio and Circular Economy subunit at Tampere University, Finland, is led by Prof. Marika Kokko. The group focuses on resource recovery and production of biocommodities with microbial electrochemical technologies with the aim to accelerate transition towards bio and circular economy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a Doctoral Researcher to work on electrofermentation under the framework of the TRAMPOLINe- project: Position DC1.
TRAMPOLINe- is a joint academic-industrial interdisciplinary European initiative which has the primary goal of training a pool of young researchers in the field of microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) while developing innovative and ready-to-be-applied solutions for global environmental challenges that currently endanger the health and well-being of people worldwide and cause significant pressure to the economy:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101167647
Project: 101167647 — TRAMPOLINe — HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01
TRAMPOLINe- integrates 10 different PhD positions within the framework of microbial electrochemical technologies (please refer to the TRAMPOLINe- linkedin page to learn about the rest of the positions).
IMPORTANT STATEMENT: Each candidate can apply for a maximum of 4 different DC positions that are suitable for their profile.
The objective of DC1 is to improve the performance of the mixed culture cathodic and anodic electrofermentation of xylose (C5 sugar), sucrose (C12 sugar) and glucose (C6 sugar) via optimizing fundamental parameters e.g., the inoculum selection, and working electrode potential. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding on the underlying mechanisms and to steer the process towards desired end-product spectrum. A general aim of DC1 is to understand the opportunities for electrofermentation-based industrial bioproduction.
During the doctoral research, a secondment to University of Rome (M20-M30) is planned under the supervision of Prof. Marianna Villano for the identification of the optimal reactor configuration and operating conditions for the electrofermentation of C6 and mixed sugars. Furthermore, collaboration is done with Solar Foods on the technoeconomic assessment of the optimized electrofermentation system.

REQUIREMENTS

A necessary requirement is a M.Sc. degree in a relevant field (e.g. environmental technology, biotechnology or chemical engineering) that should be valid upon the time of starting the work contract.
Researchers must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment and must not already hold a doctoral degree at the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Recruited researchers must be enrolled in the Doctoral Programme of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University leading to the award of a doctoral degree at the time of signing the contract.
An advanced level of English is required for this position. Certification is necessary and proficiency will be assessed during the personal interview.

Please refer the Job description for details