Bantry Marine Research Centre - PhD Vacancy

DC9: Sustainable biorefinery of seaweed at pilot scale

Project Title: Sustainable biorefinery of seaweed at pilot scale (WP3)
Host Institution: BMRS
Country: Ireland
Supervisor: Julie Maguire (PhD promoter, BMRS), Prof. Raf Dewil (KU Leuven)

Objectives: To develop sustainable procedures for the extraction of bioactive compounds from seaweed without generating biological waste.

DC9 will develop technologies to extract high-value compounds from brown seaweed (kelp) at pilot scale, following the principles of green chemistry. DC9 will reduce the use of solvents harmful to the environment and improve the sustainability of the extraction processes by using green solvents and sustainable innovative technologies (supercritical fluid, microwave, ultrasound). DC9 aims to develop extraction methods at pilot scale, to allow to test processes designed in the laboratory for volumes of 1 ton of seaweed. DC9 will investigate the role of multiple process parameters (temperature, time and solvent) on the recovery of the compounds of interest. DC9 will make a selection of green solvents, low energy consumption technologies and reduction of treatment times to improve the sustainability of the designed extraction approaches. DC9 will compare quality and quantity of compounds extracted by brown seaweed with laboratory scale and pilot scale techniques.

Expected Results: Sustainable scaled-up production of bioactive compounds from macroalgae.

Enrolment in Doctoral degree(s): KU Leuven, Arenberg Doctoral School of Science, Engineering and Technology

Planned secondments:

Host: KU Leuven, Supervisor: Raf Dewil, Timing: M20-22, Length: 3 months, Purpose: learning advanced techniques in extraction technologies, more specifically ultrasound and microwave intensified processes.

Host: SPG, Supervisor: Rahimeh N. Monemi , Timing: M28-31, Length: 3 months, Purpose: training in the processing, analysis and treatment of multivariate data in a 3D spatial grids

Candidate requirements:

• You hold a master’s degree in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, bioscience engineering or a related field and you thrive in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• You have a solid knowledge of extraction processes.
• You are ambitious, well organized and have excellent communication skills.
• You speak and write fluent English and have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively.
• You are an enthusiastic and motivated person, ready to participate in personal training, international travel and public awareness activities.
• You have demonstrated your commitment to high quality research.

The PhD student will develop technologies to extract high-value compounds from brown seaweed (kelp) at pilot scale, following the principles of green chemistry. They will reduce the use of solvents harmful to the environment and improve the sustainability of the extraction processes by using green solvents and sustainable innovative technologies (supercritical fluid, microwave, ultrasound). With and aim to develop extraction methods at pilot scale, to allow to test processes designed in the laboratory for volumes of 1 ton of seaweed.

They will investigate the role of multiple process parameters (temperature, time and solvent) on the recovery of the compounds of interest. They will make a selection of green solvents, low energy consumption technologies and reduction of treatment times to improve the sustainability of the designed extraction approaches. They will compare quality and quantity of compounds extracted by brown seaweed with laboratory scale and pilot scale techniques.

Skills/Qualifications:

The candidate must have a degree in a relevant biological discipline, preferably in the area of biochemistry.

Specific requirements:

Desirable Experience in:

• Extraction techniques for seaweeds
• Bioactive compounds
• Completion of research activities to achieve the required quality and meeting deadlines set
• Designing and building pilot scale systems
• Statistical analysis

Essential Skills:

• Excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously, and to organise and prioritise own work with training schedule
• Excellent communication skills with clear evidence of effective presentation skills, report-writing skills, and the ability to converse authoritatively and persuasively with a range of stakeholders at all levels

Other essential criteria:

• The ability and willingness to travel regularly
• The ability to live and work in a rural remote area

Read more here

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