UCD Postdoc Lvl 1, Biosystems and Food Engineering, 18 months

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

Organisation/Company University College Dublin Research Field Technology » Biotechnology Engineering » Chemical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 13 Oct 2026 - 03:15 (UTC) Country Ireland 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

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 in Heterotrophic Microalgal Cultivation on Brewery Co-products within UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Scientist to join the AlgaeBrew2Scale project at the UCD Algae Group. AlgaeBrew2Scale is developing a breakthrough technology that transforms brewery co-products into valuable biobased ingredients.

This is a postdoctoral research position that involves the execution of a defined research programme under the supervision of the Principal Investigator. The successful candidate will focus on cultivation of heterotrophic microalgae on brewery co-products.

This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator.

The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CVs submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

The PD1 position is intended for early-stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

Communication and interpersonal skills, Microalgal Biotechnology, Biosystems and Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Growth optimisation of autotrophic microalgae on brewery wastewater, total N, total P, COD, TOC

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

Mandatory:

• 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.

The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.