Researcher (MSc) in Olive Pomace Biorefinery

Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo; Portugal; On-site; EUR 17,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal allowance

Holiday allowance

Christmas allowance

Job summary

CEBAL in Beja, Portugal invites applications for a Master’s level Researcher to contribute to the SALTO project focused on detoxification and valorisation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates from olive pomace. You will work under Dr Maria da Conceição Fernandes, participating in hydrolysis, microbial growth optimisation and electrochemical system development.

The role emphasizes hands-on experimental work, data analysis, and collaboration across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Environmental/Chemical/Biotechnology.
• At least 1 year of lab work in biomass, fermentation or electrochemical studies.
• Good command of English; proficient Portuguese writing and speaking.
• Experience with data analysis and processing in a lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Characterise olive pomace hydrolysates after hydrothermal pretreatment.
• Evaluate selective acetic acid removal by anaerobic bacteria while preserving sugars.
• Optimize microbial growth and electron transfer with varying pH and substrates.
• Assess materials for phenolic removal via adsorption/absorption.
• Electrochemically characterise materials as electrodes for bioelectrochemical systems.
• Test electrochemical systems with controlled potentials to enhance detoxification.
• Build and run an integrated lab-scale system for detoxification and energy recovery.
• Explore energy reuse or conversion to hydrogen within a circular biorefinery model.

Skills

English proficiency

Portuguese proficiency

Lab experience

Biomass analysis

Education

Master's degree in Environmental Engineering

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Master's degree in Chemistry

Master's degree in Biochemistry

Master's degree in Biotechnology

Tools

Electrochemical techniques

Job description

CEBAL in Beja, Portugal invites applications for a Master’s level Researcher to contribute to the SALTO project focused on detoxification and valorisation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates from olive pomace. You will work under Dr Maria da Conceição Fernandes, participating in hydrolysis, microbial growth optimisation and electrochemical system development.

The role emphasizes hands-on experimental work, data analysis, and collaboration across disciplines.