Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group Bioprocess Engineering Group
Wageningen, 6703 HD (Gelderland), 38 hours per week
Job description
Background
Biodiesel derived from oil crops is a potential renewable and carbon neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. Microalgae, like higher plants, produce storage lipids which can be used to synthesize fatty acid methyl esters, a substitute for fossil-derived diesel fuel. The productivity of lipids from microalgae is much higher than from crops - and microalgae can be produced in areas that are not suitable for agriculture. However, the production technology must be improved to make biofuel production from microalgae economically feasible.
Many companies currently are interested in microalgae with different objectives: production of biofuels together with carbon dioxide fixation and/or nutrient removal from waste streams, production of green chemicals as well as the co-production of value-added compounds. Breakthroughs need to be realized to make it economically feasible to use microalgae as a feedstock for these products. The purpose of the project ‘Biofuels from microalgae’ is to create a large research agenda to realize the breakthroughs needed.
Research project
A collaborative project started between Wageningen University (AFSG) and the Technological Top Institute Wetsus titled ‘Biofuels from microalgae’. Within this project we collaborate with food industry (Friesland Foods), industry interested in development of algal technology (Biosoil, Ingrepro, Hubert/Landustrie), chemical industry (Dow Chemicals), agribusiness (Syngenta), biofuels industry (Neste Oil, Rosendaal Energy, Hednesford) and energy companies (Nuon, Eneco).
Within this framework we have presently 5 job openings for PhD students in the following areas of research: (1) Maximization of the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae in photobioreactors; (2) Increase of the lipid productivity of microalgae; (3) Reduction of the energy input for mixing and gas transfer in photobioreactors; (4) Biorefinery of microalgal biomass; (5) Design of large scale production systems for microalgae.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
You have a PhD in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related topic. You have a strong affinity for photobiological processes. You have good communicating skills as you will be part of a large research team with strong interaction with industry.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group
Bioprocess Engineering Group
AFSG is the organisation for development and transfer of knowledge in the field of sustainable applications of agro-components for safe and healthy food and non-food products.
Within the Bioprocess Engineering Group of AFSG we have an enthusiastic team of 10 scientists working on microalgae based processes. We have extended experience in the cultivation of microalgae, photobioreactor design, microalgae metabolism and the modelling of algal growth and photobioreactor productivity. This project is a joint effort with TTIW Wetsus and a number of the new PhD researchers will be located at Wetsus in Leeuwaren. A strong interaction between the researchers in Wageningen and Leeuwarden will be created.
Wetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, is a facilitating intermediary for trend-setting know-how development. Wetsus creates a unique environment and strategic cooperation for development of profitable and sustainable state of the art water treatment technology. The inspiring and multidisciplinary collaboration between companies and research institutes in Wetsus results in innovations that contribute significantly to the solution of the global water problems.
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1,5 2,5 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
We offer you a full-time position for a period of 15 months with a possibility of extension for 30 months. Gross salary per month € 200,- in the first year rising to € 2558,- per month in the fourth year.
Hay-profile: promovendus
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Marcel Janssen
Telephone number: 0317-484708
E-mail address: marcel.janssen@wur.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through the following link:
Application
You can apply for this job before 06-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Wageningen UR - AFSG
bode 118
K. den Ridder
P.O. Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
Netherlands
E-mail: afsg-vacatures@wur.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AFSG 06.063.
Job description
Background
Biodiesel derived from oil crops is a potential renewable and carbon neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. Microalgae, like higher plants, produce storage lipids which can be used to synthesize fatty acid methyl esters, a substitute for fossil-derived diesel fuel. The productivity of lipids from microalgae is much higher than from crops - and microalgae can be produced in areas that are not suitable for agriculture. However, the production technology must be improved to make biofuel production from microalgae economically feasible.
Many companies currently are interested in microalgae with different objectives: production of biofuels together with carbon dioxide fixation and/or nutrient removal from waste streams, production of green chemicals as well as the co-production of value-added compounds. Breakthroughs need to be realized to make it economically feasible to use microalgae as a feedstock for these products. The purpose of the project ‘Biofuels from microalgae’ is to create a large research agenda to realize the breakthroughs needed.
Research project
A collaborative project started between Wageningen University (AFSG) and the Technological Top Institute Wetsus titled ‘Biofuels from microalgae’. Within this project we collaborate with food industry (Friesland Foods), industry interested in development of algal technology (Biosoil, Ingrepro, Hubert/Landustrie), chemical industry (Dow Chemicals), agribusiness (Syngenta), biofuels industry (Neste Oil, Rosendaal Energy, Hednesford) and energy companies (Nuon, Eneco).
Within this framework we have presently 5 job openings for PhD students in the following areas of research: (1) Maximization of the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae in photobioreactors; (2) Increase of the lipid productivity of microalgae; (3) Reduction of the energy input for mixing and gas transfer in photobioreactors; (4) Biorefinery of microalgal biomass; (5) Design of large scale production systems for microalgae.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
You have a PhD in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related topic. You have a strong affinity for photobiological processes. You have good communicating skills as you will be part of a large research team with strong interaction with industry.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group
Bioprocess Engineering Group
AFSG is the organisation for development and transfer of knowledge in the field of sustainable applications of agro-components for safe and healthy food and non-food products.
Within the Bioprocess Engineering Group of AFSG we have an enthusiastic team of 10 scientists working on microalgae based processes. We have extended experience in the cultivation of microalgae, photobioreactor design, microalgae metabolism and the modelling of algal growth and photobioreactor productivity. This project is a joint effort with TTIW Wetsus and a number of the new PhD researchers will be located at Wetsus in Leeuwaren. A strong interaction between the researchers in Wageningen and Leeuwarden will be created.
Wetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, is a facilitating intermediary for trend-setting know-how development. Wetsus creates a unique environment and strategic cooperation for development of profitable and sustainable state of the art water treatment technology. The inspiring and multidisciplinary collaboration between companies and research institutes in Wetsus results in innovations that contribute significantly to the solution of the global water problems.
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1,5 2,5 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
We offer you a full-time position for a period of 15 months with a possibility of extension for 30 months. Gross salary per month € 200,- in the first year rising to € 2558,- per month in the fourth year.
Hay-profile: promovendus
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Marcel Janssen
Telephone number: 0317-484708
E-mail address: marcel.janssen@wur.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through the following link:
Application
You can apply for this job before 06-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Wageningen UR - AFSG
bode 118
K. den Ridder
P.O. Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
Netherlands
E-mail: afsg-vacatures@wur.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AFSG 06.063.
