Industrial CASE PhD Studentship: Development of biofuel production from algae by solventogenic clostridia
Biofuel Research Centre, Napier University Edinburgh and Green Biologics Ltd
Applications are invited for one fully funded three-year PhD studentship within the Biofuel Research Centre at Napier University. This Industrial CASE studentship will cover tuition fees to home/EU level, and will provide an enhanced standard living allowance, over the basic stipend (which is currently £12,600 per annum). Overseas students are eligible to apply, but will be liable to pay the difference between home/EU and overseas fees. Note that fees are subject to change annually throughout programme of study.
The studentship is expected to start as soon as possible.
BACKGROUND
Butanol is a by-product of metabolism by solventogenic species of the anaerobic Genus Clostridium and it is an important chemical and second generation biofuel. The industrialisation of this biological fermentation process will depend on a number of critical factors, not least of which is the identification and development of a cost-effective fermentation substrate. The objective of this project is to evaluate algae as potential fermentation substrate for biofuel production by solventogenic clostridia. The research programme will establish the features which can be manipulated for process improvement, via substrate processing/treatment, fermentation optimisation and strain development.
The position, which is in association with leading biobutanol developers Green Biologics Ltd, is an EPSRC-funded CASE award from the Bioscience for Business Knowledge Transfer Network. The studentship will be based at Napier, however appointees will spend periods in each institute during the programme.
APPLICATION
Applicants must be highly motivated and must normally hold at least a first or second class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline. Candidates whose first language is not English must meet the University's English language requirements.
Further details of Napier University can be found at http://www.napier.ac.uk/. Details of Green Biologics Ltd can be found at http://www.gbl.com/
An application form (FP1 form) and more general details on research can be found at http://www.napier.ac.uk/randkt/prospectiveresearchstudents/Pages/Applications%20and%20studentships.aspx
Please send all formal applications, a CV and a completed "Supplementary Personal Information Form" and "Tuition Fee Classification Questionnaire" by 11 August 2008 to:
Caroline Graham, The Graduate School, Merchiston Campus, Napier University, 10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5DT
Email: c.graham@napier.ac.uk
Phone: 0131 455 2305
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Martin Tangney; Director of the Biofuel Research Centre at Napier University; m.tangney@napier.ac.uk
Click here for Employer Profile
