PhD Position Scale-Up of a Novel Mycelial Bioprocess for Whole-Cut Vegan Steak Production

For alternatives to whole-cut steaks, it's not just taste but also texture which is key. Will you be part of the endeavour to scale production of fungal steaks with unique textural properties?

This PhD position focuses on scaling up a novel mycelial bioprocess for whole-cut vegan steak production.

Job description

Mycoprotein form a highly interesting category of novel protein products: complete protein profile, low cholesterol, and suitable for scalable, sustainable production. A specific perk of fungal biomass is the flexibility in rheology, and with that product texture. For alternatives to whole-cut meat the right texture is as important as the taste, and many products currently on the market achieve texture through processing with various binders. The lead partner of this consortium produces mycelial biomass with intrinsically the right texture, yielding a high-quality, all natural steak alternative without added binders. The process has been established at lab- and pilot scale; the challenge for our consortium is to scale this process further to demonstration- and eventually full production scale, while maintaining high product yields and the unique product characteristics.

The objective of this PhD project is to guide this scale-up process through a number of bioreactor modelling stages. The first stage will be a process specification stage, establishing production targets and performance criteria, together with project partners. This is followed by a scale-up analysis where a comprehensive assessment of the demo- and prospective full-scale process are conducted, evaluating possible bottlenecks and scale-up challenges. The insights from this will guide experimental- and demo-scale design. Stage three considers process optimization, where detailed bioreactor models are constructed and refined based on lab- and later demo-scale process data, and used for further optimization of the demo-scale process. In the final stage of the project, the TU Delft team leads the work-package on the blueprint for mass manufacturing, deploying (validated) models to assess and optimize the conceptual full-scale process, and providing input for techno-economic assessment.

Especially within the second and third stage, there is flexibility in the modelling approach and development of novel modelling strategies, where detailed reactor modelling (computational-fluid dynamics based), biokineticic modelling, and advances in machine learning may be combined based on the needs of the project. Experimental hydrodynamic work for calibration of the reactor models is optional (e.g. mass transfer and bubble size measurements, velocimetry measurements, x-ray tomography), experiments for kinetic data will be executed by partners.

The PhD position is part of a consortium with 13 partners, led by product developer Adamo foods. The modelling and scale-up related work-packages covered in this project will require strong coordination with relevant consortium partners. We are hence looking for a PhD candidate that combines excellent technical performance in bioprocess modelling with a flexible and versatile mindset and strong communication skills, both to obtain all information required for model development, and in effectively transferring model-based insights to guide experiment- and scale-up design. Naturally, throughout the PhD trajectory you will have the opportunity to follow courses to hone these skills further.

You will be part of the bioprocess engineering section at TU Delft, department of biotechnology, and will mainly work with Dr. ir. Cees Haringa (bioprocess modelling) and Dr. ir. Adrie Straathof (section leader bioprocess engineering). Additionally you will have strong interactions with the project partners; a secondment period at one of the partner institutions is possible, based on project requirements.

Job requirements

• Completed an MSc. in biotechnology, chemical engineering, microbial/fungal physiology, or a similar discipline.
• Basic proficiency in programming/modelling is required.
• Specific techniques such as detailed bioprocess/reactor modelling, expertise with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or (fungal) metabolic modelling are nice-to-have but can be learned on the job.
• Strong collaboration skills and a versatile mindset are required.
• The candidate should be open to developing project management skills to contribute to work-package coordination.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

The fulfillment of this vacancy is subject to the conclusion of the Grant Agreement between the funding authority (the European Commission) and all consortium partners. To facilitate the overall project planning, there is a preference for candidates that are available directly after the agreements are in place, prospecively June.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.