PRR Project

Summary

Position: Assistant Researcher in Chemical and Biological Engineering: Nutrient removal and recovery for biofuels and biomaterials production.Job Description: The UCIBIO/i4HB is seeking for an enthusiastic researcher with expertise on biological nutrient removal and recovery for biofuels and biomaterials production. The Researcher’s role will be paramount in exploring new technologies for nutrient removal (e.g. C, P and N) from waste/wastewater and designing cost-effective processes for their recovery as top-notch products, and delving innovative integrated systems aimed to maximizing resource utilization.  By driving forward research in these areas, the researcher plays a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices through groundbreaking solutions. It highlights the importance of the researcher´s role in advancing nutrient removal and recovery technologies from waste/wastewater. By exploring new avenues, designing cost-effective processes, and developing innovative integrated systems, the researcher contributes to maximizing resource utilization and addressing environmental challenges. Their efforts drive forward research in these critical areas and lead to groundbreaking solutions that promote sustainability and address pressing environmental concerns. Responsibilities:Design innovative processes to remove and recovery nutrients from waste/wastewater, and further use in biofuels and biomaterials production.Investigate and develop innovative integrated systems that maximize resource utilization and minimize waste generation.Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, including industry and academic partners, to leverage expertise in advancing resource recovery technologies and seeking funding opportunities.Stay abreast on the last advancements and trends in waste management, production of biofuels and biomaterials, and related fields, ensuring that research remains cutting-edge and relevant for the society.Disseminate research findings through publications in high impact peer-reviewed journals, presentations at conferences, and active engagement with the scientific community, fostering knowledge transfer and collaboration. Scientific Profile: The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following qualifications and attributes:Ph.D. in Sustainable Chemistry or related field, with a strong focus on nutrient removal and recovery.Proven expertise and knowledge in the operation and optimization of bioreactors for nutrient removal and production of biofuels (e.g. biomethane), processes’ scale-up and modeling.Publication in high-quality peer–reviewed journals, demonstrating the ability to contribute for the advancement and dissemination in the field.Communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in teams and engage in outreach activities.Collaboration with industrial partners and international universities (R&D and educational projects), participation in successful R&D projects, and participation in technology transfer. Rationale: The excess of nutrients in water systems fosters algae and aquatic plants growth, leading to eutrophication and several environmental problems. Thus, the removal and recovery of nutrients are essential to mitigate the negative impacts and prevent nutrient pollution. Additionally, the recovery of essential nutrients offers several benefits since allows their reuse as valuable nutrient source in the production of value-added products, reducing the dependence of non-renewable resources and preserving natural resources. Nutrient removal, recovery, and reuse represent a growing frontier of scientific exploration, offering opportunities to tackle environmental, economic, and social challenges, while promoting innovation and sustainable development, thereby contributing to bioeconomy strategy. By managing nutrients responsibly, is possible to ensure the long-term health and resilience of ecosystems and communities. The recruitment for this position is of utmost importance for UCIBIO’s and Associated Laboratory (i4HB) mission, aligning with its strategic goals and complementing the advance research excellence in the field of bioresource recovery topic and is in line with the thematic line Bioresources Valorization and Bioproducts Production of i4HB. The expertise of the Researcher will complement the ongoing research and strengthen our institutional capabilities in the field of nutrient removal and recovery. This position reflects dedication to innovation and scientific leadership of UCIBIO and NOVA FCT, positioning both at the forefront of advancements in environmental sciences and stay competitive in an increasingly sustainability.