PRR Project

Summary

RATIONALE FOR THE NEED TO HIRE THIS CHAIRCO2 emissions reached 37 billion metric tons sin 2022. Despite calls for a phase-out, fossil fuels subsidies returned and nearly doubled, triggered by the global crisis. The material footprint per capita in high-income countries is 10 times that of low-income ones. The urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieve net zero targets by 2050, as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, underscores the importance of mitigating the impacts of carbon emissions and climate change. Thus, the importance of sustainable processing in addressing climate change has never been more pronounced. Bioprocess engineering embodies the advantageous characteristics to address this challenge: use of cheap and renewable resources (agro-industrial by-products), selective biocatalysts operating efficiently under mild conditions, and reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint. However, bioprocessing productivity falls short of meeting the substantial demand for food, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and bio-based chemicals. Thus, a new holistic approach to design intensified bioprocesses and develop new equipment for more efficient processes based on microbial cells or enzymes is critical. Bioreactors are the core  of industrial bioprocesses, in which whole microbial cells or enzymes can convert raw materials into a wide range of useful biochemical products. The main function of a bioreactor is to provide a controlled environment (by ensuring the same temperature, pH, and oxygen level) to reach optimal growth and product formation. The choice of an appropriate bioreactor has a significant impact on overall bioprocess performance. An adequate bioreactor will help to improve productivity and provide higher-quality products at lower prices. The important aspects to consider in selecting a bioreactor for a particular bioprocess include: the type of raw-materials; knowledge of biological reaction kinetics; microbial species; type of metabolite produced; and oxygen requirement of microbial species. Other areas of bioprocess engineering, namely mass and energy balance, mass and heat transfer, and mixing are also essential. Process intensification involves the utilization of non-conventional reactors of increased volumetric productivity and selectivity and reduced energy use and pollution generation, all while maintaining product quality and safety. In response to the challenges of a resilient and circular bioeconomy, CEB proposes 4 research positions that address distinct strategies to develop and monitor sustainable bioprocesses. In this scientific profile, CEB aims to invest in a position focused on bioprocess intensification at the bioreactor stage to improve titers, yields, and productivities of relevant biochemicals and biofuels.SCIENTIFIC PROFILE REQUIREDThe ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, or Biotechnology, with a strong background in aerobic microbial cultures, submerged and solid-state fermentation, bioreactor operation, and oxygen mass transfer. A good proven track record, demonstrating high-quality research in this field, will be valued. Experience in teaching, Master and PhD students’ supervision, management of research projects, and participation in outreach events will also be valued.TASKS TO BE ASSIGNED TO THE PROSPECTIVE RESEARCHERThe candidate to be recruited will be required to conduct original research focused on the use of non-conventional bioreactors to develop integrated and sustainable bioprocesses aiming to bioconvert by-products into added-value biochemicals and biofuels. It is expected a solid contribution to the body of knowledge in this field, as assessed through scientific publications and/or patents.The chosen candidate will be required to be actively involved in grant proposal development, by participating in large R&D projects submission and also to secure his/her research projects, as principal investigator. As such, project management will be a pivotal duty of this chair.Recruiting graduate students will be pivotal for the successful development of this Chair. As such, formal supervision duties, both for MSc and Ph.D. students, will be required.The selected candidate will be encouraged to establish and develop new collaboration networks with both national and international researchers, that can complement the ongoing research efforts related to aerobic bioprocesses intensification at the bioreactor stage. In line with this duty, the candidate is expected to participate in international events.The selected researcher will be required to participate in CEB outreach events and will have the opportunity to propose and organize innovative outreach activities. The researcher will also be encouraged to participate in the governing of CEB as an active member of its scientific council and will encouraged to engage in specialized governing committees.