Postdoc: Microalgal Bioengineering on Brewery Byproducts

EURAXESS Ireland; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

University College Dublin (UCD) invites applications for a Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 to work on heterotrophic microalgal cultivation on brewery co-products within the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering. The role sits within the AlgaeBrew2Scale project and focuses on developing cultivation strategies and analytical approaches.

The position targets early-stage researchers, offering training, publications, mentorship, and opportunities to develop funding proposals under

Qualifications

• A PhD in Microalgal Biotechnology, Biosystems and Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering or other cognate areas.
• Previous experience in growth optimisation of autotrophic microalgae on brewery wastewater and other agri-food waste media.
• Previous experience in pretreating waste to formulate microalgal growth medium and analysing real-time growth-medium composition (e.g. total N, total P, COD, TOC) during cultivation.
• Previous experience in conducting carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus mass balance during microalgal cultivation and balancing C:N:P ratio of waste to mitigate nutrient deficiency.
• Demonstrated experience in analysing the biochemical composition (e.g. lipids and pigments) of microalgal biomass with high-spec equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in semi-continuous or continuous or fed-batch microalgal growth operation in order to mitigate fluctuations in waste composition.
• Ability to work independently, solve practical problems on the ground, and manage objectives and deliverables.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines.
• A demonstrated commitment to research and publications.
• An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project.
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals, and ability to outline a research project).
• Excellent Communication Skills (Oral, Written , Presentation etc).
• Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines.
• Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
• Proficiency in elemental analysis of wastewater and biomass (e.g. with ICP).
• Experience in setting own research agenda.
• Proven record of mentoring undergraduate or Master students to support and guide their professional development.
• Proficiency in HPLC and GC for wastewater and biomass composition analysis.
• Proficiency in flow cytometry for discriminating microalgal and bacterial populations.
• Previous experience in scaling up microalgal cultivation on wastewater.

Responsibilities

• Execute a defined research programme under supervision.
• Focus on cultivation of heterotrophic microalgae on brewery co-products.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Develop funding proposals and contribute to teaching development.
• Mentor graduate students and participate in research-led teaching.
• Work independently and meet deadlines.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Independent working

Time management

Mentoring

Research publications

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Microalgal Biotechnology or cognate area

Tools

ICP

HPLC

GC

Flow cytometry

Job description

University College Dublin (UCD) invites applications for a Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 to work on heterotrophic microalgal cultivation on brewery co-products within the UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering. The role sits within the AlgaeBrew2Scale project and focuses on developing cultivation strategies and analytical approaches.

The position targets early-stage researchers, offering training, publications, mentorship, and opportunities to develop funding proposals under