Research Fellow in Techno-Economic Modelling for Sustainable Protein Production

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a Research Fellow in Techno-Economic Modelling for Sustainable Protein Production. This role involves developing an innovative AI platform to valorise agri-food waste and improve global protein security. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and a strong background in techno-economic modelling and food biotechnology. Successful applicants will contribute to a project with substantial funding aimed at addressing food insecurity problems by creating microbial protein from waste-streams.

Qualifications

• PhD (or nearly completed) in a relevant field.
• Background in techno-economic modelling.
• Proven ability to work in teams and independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop an open-source AI platform for microbial protein production.
• Engage with interdisciplinary teams and industry partners.
• Streamline processes for waste to protein conversion.

Skills

Techno-economic modelling

Research experience in food or bioprocess design

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Engineering, Food Science, Computer Science or related discipline

Job description

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in techno-economic modelling in food or bioprocesses? Do you want to play a leading role in developing an AI platform to valorise agri-food waste-streams and improve protein security?

Overview

We are looking for a Research Fellow in Techno-Economic Modelling for Sustainable Protein Production to join our international and interdisciplinary team developing an open-source AI platform for microbial protein from agri-food waste-streams, which has recently been awarded £2M from the Bezos Earth Fund as part of their AI for Nature and Climate Grand Challenge.

Nearly 29% of the world's population faces food insecurity, yet millions of tonnes of nutrient-rich agri-food waste is generated globally each day. This waste can be upcycled into sustainable, high-quality microbial protein (e.g. yeast, fungi, bacteria and algae) via fermentation for use as ingredients in existing foods or to produce novel meat and dairy alternatives. However, microbial fermentation processes are difficult to design, optimise and scale up, especially for complex, and highly variable waste streams. This limits their investment attractiveness and economic viability, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and ultimately their global adoption.

Project

The University of Leeds in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia will develop the world's first open-access AI platform to address these challenges by streamlining the development of microbial protein production processes. Leveraging advances in modern AI, the platform will consist of a Waste to Protein AI Engine coupled with an adaptive user interface enabling users to input their waste composition, volume, and location and immediately receive actionable insights, such as optimised fermentation parameters, microbial strain recommendations, projected protein yields and economic returns. The AI platform will also provide users with an R&D roadmap that recommends critical trials to perform during process development and scale-up, reducing experimentation needs and providing partnership recommendations for areas where they lack expertise, facilities or market access.

Collaboration

You will be based in the Food AI Lab (www.foodailab.co.uk) in the School of Food Science and Nutrition and benefit from engaging with the growing AI, Alternative Protein and Food activities at the University of Leeds including the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) and the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics Food Community (LIDA: Food | Leeds Institute for Data Analytics) and the Global Food and Environmental Institute (Global Food and Environment Institute | University of Leeds). You will also benefit from collaborating with CSIRO and numerous industry partners in the UK and across the globe.

Qualifications

You will have a PhD (or near to completion) in Engineering, Food Science, Computer Science or a closely allied discipline; a background in techno-economic modelling and research experience in food or bioprocess design. You will have a proven ability to work well both individually and, in a team, including partners from other countries, disciplines and industry.