Microbial Electrosynthesis from CO2: from Microbial Kinetics to Scaling-up

Job description

Collaboration

This 3-year post-doc project is part of a collaboration between Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). The partnership includes three TU Delft research groups at the Department of Biotechnology (dr. Klijn, dr. Vieira-Lara, and dr. Jourdin) and one CU Boulder research group embedded in the Department of Mechnical Engineering (prof. Rieker). The overarching aim of this collaboration is to integrate and apply a novel analytical technique to perform real-time spectroscopic monitoring of the bioreactor off-gas for two different types of bioprocesses, namely microbial fermentation in suspension and biofilm-based microbial electrosynthesis (MES). With this technology we set out to advance bioprocess understanding and accelerate bioprocess optimization, scale-up, and automated control.

Team

The content of the partnership leads to highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research. The complete team to be implemented at TU Delft will consist of 2 post-doc positions (1. quantitative monitoring of MES and 2. quantitative monitoring of microbial suspension cultures), 2 PhD candidates (1. volatile fingerprints of microbial suspension cultures and 2. data analytics/machine learning and control), and 2 technicians (1. support MES cultures and 2. support suspension cultures, both are involved with tech transfer and integration). In addition, there are three research positions part of prof. Rieker's team at CUB with which we will closely collaborate throughout the project. We are looking for people who can showcase their ability to work well in a team, are effective in sharing theoretical knowledge and technical know-how, and excell as creative problem solvers.

Postdoc project

Power-to-Chemicals and Power-to-Fuels processes are the future of the chemical industry. The chemical industry is a major greenhouse gas emitter. To meet their GHG emission reduction target, the chemical industry must use alternative carbon sources (e.g. CO2) and electricity-based processes (Power-to-X). The perspective of a highly electrified chemical industry where renewable feedstocks and energy are the basic ingredients of chemicals is very appealing to many societal, industrial and governmental stakeholders. Microorganisms are able to grow on electrodes and utilize renewable electricity to convert CO2 to valuable chemicals. This Power-to-X process is called microbial electrosynthesis, and is the focus of this postdoctoral project. Scale-up of MES biofilm reactors is hindered by the inability to extract information on time-dependent metabolic activity in an accurate and non-invasive manner. In this project, we aim to use newly developed Optical Frequency Comb (OFC) technology to determine biomass growth and consumption/production kinetics in real-time. Both mixed microbial cultures and pure/co-cultures will be investigated. This will provide insights into the time-dependent microbial kinetics of MES cultures for the first time and allows us to leverage this knowledge for process optimization and scale-up design. There will be close collaboration with technical support for this postdoc project.

Jourdin's group description

In the Jourdin's group, a multiscale approach is taken, investigating phenomena from nanometer to meter scales, and from fundamental to applied perspectives. Many, yet uncharacterised and interdependent phenomena occur at the interface between microbiology, material science, (electro)chemistry, and engineering. Overall, the aim of the group is to identify, study, and overcome limitations across physical and time-scales towards scaling-up the technology. Both experimental and modelling approaches are used. This postdoc project perfectly fits with and complements the current activities of the group, thus a collaborative and teamplayer mindset is requested from the postdoc candidate.

Job requirements

Required educational backgroud

• A PhD on biochemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology or equivalent
• A MSc degree in the same areas or a closely related discipline

Recent experience or clearly supported motivation

• Worked on microbial electrochemical technologies, ideally microbial electrosynthesis
• Keen interest in bridging several fields, i.e. microbial electrochemistry and microbiology/microbial physiology

Required technical skills

• Strong experimentalist, with experience related to the topics
• Strong analytical skills, and a keen interest in the interpretation of complex data
• Bioreactor operation and characterisation
• Practical experience with microbial electrochemistry

Skills that are considered a plus

• Sound knowledge basis on (microbial) reaction thermodynamics, kinetics, transport phenomena, and microbial physiology
• Microbiology skills, including the ability to culture pure microbial strains
• Microscopy techniques
• Practical experience with mass spectrometry and/or other spectroscopy techniques
• Bioreactor scale-up

Sought-after transferable skills

• Pro-active and problem solving mindset
• Skilled in critical and conceptual thinking, e.g. for finding and selecting process options that are worthy of experimental study
• Excellent written and spoken English skills, with a large drive to share results in scientific papers and conferences
• Ability to break-down and communicate complex research data
• Thrives in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft 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. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3 years.
• A job of 36-10 hours per week.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.