Job offer

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company: INRAE - PROSE

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Leading Researcher (R4), First Stage Researcher (R1), Established Researcher (R3)

Country: France

Application Deadline: 29 Apr 2025 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are seeking a candidate to start a PhD thesis within the PROSE unit at INRAE (French Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment). The PROSE unit is dedicated to the development of environmental biotechnologies aimed at addressing key challenges in sustainable development and the bioeconomy. As part of this dynamic research environment, the PhD project will focus on the study and modeling of a microbial electrochemical process, an innovative technology with great potential for sustainable applications.

Context: Advancing Bioelectrochemical Systems for a Sustainable Future

The transition to a low-carbon, circular economy requires innovative biotechnologies that harness nature’s ability to convert waste into valuable resources. Electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) are at the core of this revolution. By driving redox reactions in bioelectrochemical systems (BES), these microorganisms enable sustainable conversion of waste into energy and high-value molecules.

BES operate by leveraging microbial metabolism to drive electron transfer processes. Despite significant advances in understanding EAM metabolism, key knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding how EAMs allocate energy between growth and electron transfer, and how process conditions affect this balance. These gaps hinder predictive modeling and optimization, slowing down the large-scale deployment of BES.

This highly interdisciplinary PhD project will integrate advanced thermokinetic modeling with cutting-edge experimental techniques to refine our understanding of EAM growth dynamics. The insights gained will be crucial for improving the efficiency and reliability of BES, ultimately contributing to the scientific and technical advancements needed to support the ecological transition of our societies.

Research Focus Area

• Bioenergetic Yield Analysis – Investigate microbial growth yield using state-of-the-art electrochemical, omics, and analytical chemistry techniques.
• Model development – Develop a thermodynamically consistent framework leveraging statistical physics and reaction kinetics to describe microbial-electrochemical reactions.

We are looking for a motivated and highly skilled PhD candidate with:

• A Master’s (M2) or an engineering degree in process engineering, bioengineering, applied mathematics, physics, or related fields.
• Strong expertise in modeling and numerical simulation, with proficiency in Comsol Multiphysics.
• A keen interest in microbial systems, with a strong drive for laboratory experiments and data analysis.
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.
• Fluent English (spoken and written).