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Context

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a major societal issue, especially in the aviation sector, which requires high-energy-density liquid fuels. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new alternative and environmentally friendly processes for producing « biokerosene » from renewable resources. In this context, the BIOCTANE project (https://www.bioctane.eu/) aims to develop an innovative process combination for converting organic waste into jet fuels. Carbon neutrality of the whole transformation chain is targeted by combining biotechnological and thermocatalytic production routes and achieving efficient valorisation of the organic waste.

First, complex organic waste (biowaste) will be converted into a set of platform molecules and hydrogen by combining a fermentation process and a microbial electrochemical cell where unwanted fermentation co-products will be converted into H₂. Platform molecules and hydrogen will be further converted into hydrocarbons suitable for the aviation sector (biokerosene).

Description of the Postdoctoral position

The postdoctoral position aims at optimising the conversion of unwanted fermentation metabolites into H₂ with microbial electrolysis cells. As fermentation effluents are composed of a mixture of microbial metabolites, the MEC will be designed and optimised to selectively convert undesired compounds, enriching the media in desired platform molecules and more specifically propionic acid.

The work will first focus on the influence of different electroactive microbial community compositions on the conversion of a mixture of microbial metabolites. The second part of the work aims at developing eco-engineering strategies for the selection and optimisation of electroactive microbial communities. Special attention will be paid to artificial ecosystems for long-term MEC operation.

Funding

Project Horizon Europe BIOCTANE (2022-2026). The postdoc will fully contribute and be involved in the project activities (discussions with partners, regular progress meetings, workshops).

Location

Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l’Environnement, F-11100 Narbonne, France

Profile of the applicant

PhD degree with strong knowledge in the field of bioprocess engineering and microbiology.  The candidate is expected to be autonomous, rigorous, able to work in a team, have good writing skills and good English command.

Application requirements:  CV, cover letter and support letter(s).

Contacts

Eric Trably eric.trably@inrae.fr

Nicolas Bernet nicolas.bernet@inrae.fr