Category Archives: Opportunities

Job Biomass Analysis Research Internship

Posted on by

Role
Current climate change concerns and the post COVID world call for urgent solutions to develop sustainable societies. Nonfood biomass instead of petroleum is an option to produce cleaner biofuels, bioplastics and more. 

To achieve some sustainable goals, biomass needs to be transformed by sustainable manufacturing, which is in line with several initiatives, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, a key step on biomass transformation is to rigorously know its chemical composition at elemental and molecular level with the purpose of enabling the selection of fit-for-purpose biomass for industrial applications. 

Biomass elemental analysis is also needed in forensics, waste management, farming, nutritional formulations, combustion and the food-water-energy nexus, to cite a few. It is expensive, tedious, lengthy and requires a set of advanced skills available from commercial suppliers. However, this can be overcome at CCCU thanks to a new opportunity. CCCU recently acquired a state-of-the-art Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis. SEM-EDX can provide visual information on biomass structure and composition of elements like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, calcium and many more. This internship will set up a protocol in support of biomass characterization through SEM-EDX analysis.

Duties and responsibilities
The successful Research Intern aims at developing and testing one transferable reliable protocol for elemental analysis of biomass through SEM-EDX. The research intern will work to deliver the Project Milestones. Including, carrying out SEM-EDX microscopy and elemental analysis of biomass samples; writing reports (analyses done with methods of the manufacturer; preliminary and final analyses with fit-for-purpuse protocol and real samples; protocols, final report, presentation slides and poster to cite a few). The intern will be directly involved with the day-to-day running of the project; data analysis and interpretation; delivering research tasks; contribute to discussions about the project with project partners.

Skills and experience
Please note that applicants must be current CCCU students on taught undergraduate or postgraduate courses (not PhDs).

Experience working in laboratories, e.g. chemistry, biology, engineering or relevant Confident skills on qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of samples from living organism Strong literature searching skills Strong skills using Microsoft software and programmes (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Strong interpersonal and communication skills Strong skills on writing up technical reports, posters and presentations Attention to detail Undertake work independently and as part of a team High level of organizational skills

Location
CCCU 

Additional information
Proposed interview date -between 16 to 20 January 2023.

Continue reading: https://portal.unitemps.com/Search/JobDetails/28487888

Self-funded PhD opportunity on Sustainable fuels and chemicals from sustainable biomass and bioprocessing

Posted on by

Project Description

The UN Sustainable Development Goals, COP26 and more forums worldwide urge for positive action on climate change. Innovative sustainable solutions can help to build a better climate to develop sustainable societies. Nonfood biomass instead of petroleum, coal or controversial food feedstocks can produce cheaper, safer, faster and environmentally friendlier products and services. For instance, advanced biofuels, bioplastics, biooil, sugars, biofertilizers, proteins and foods to cite a few.

Advantageously, this project would use a promising nonfood biomass feedstock adapted through millions of years for growing in extreme conditions close to megacities worldwide. Arid biomass requires far less common inputs like water, energy, machinery, pest control, downstream and upstream processing than microalgae and traditional crops. The challenge is to create sustainable processes for transforming arid biomass into sustainable products and services responsibly.

The PhD project aims at studying biotechnological and chemical engineering strategies to create novel sustainable processes transforming arid biomass into wealth while helping people and the environment in a more responsible way. Products and services could be used in energy, feed and food production, agriculture and farming.

An understanding of bioprocessing, bio/chemical process engineering, biomass valorisation are foundations for creating viable strategies. Strong laboratory skills in the aforementioned subjects are essential. Basic design and expression of recombinant enzymes and/or molecular cloning skills are desirable, not essential, but to be learned and applied along with the project.

Applicants must have achieved or be expected to achieve a 1st class or 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline in Chemical/Biochemical/Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology or equivalent or have relevant industrial experience…

Continue reading: www.findaphd.com/phds/project/sustainable-fuels-and-chemicals-from-sustainable-biomass-and-bioprocessing/?p145108

Job: QC Analyst, £10.00 – £12.00 per hour

Posted on by

Hi Ernesto,

Apologies if this email is not relevant for you, I have sent it to multiple candidates in the local area.

Continue reading →

Grants for researchers to attend biorefinery workshop

Posted on by

About this Opportunity

Grants are available for early career researchers (see Eligibility section) to attend a workshop in Mexico entitled Biorefinery research – promoting international collaboration for innovative and sustainable solutions.  Under the British Council Researcher Links scheme we will be holding a workshop on the above theme at the Mexican Institute of Petroleum, Mexico City, Mexico on the 18-22 May, 2015. The workshop is being coordinated by Dr Jhuma Sadhukhan and Dr Jorge Arturo Aburto Anell, and supported by Dr Elias Martinez Hernandez and other researchers.

Selected papers presented in the workshop will be considered for a Special Issue of the Chemical Engineering Research Design journal of the Institution of Chemical Engineers devoted to Biorefinery value chain creation.  Costs for the visa will be covered; however participants will be responsible for making all the necessary arrangements. Although this cost will not be covered by the British Council, participants are encouraged to purchase an adequate travel and medical insurance.

Key dates

Dates of the workshop – 18-22 May 2015

Deadline for applications – 23 January 2015

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to early career researchers based in the UK and Mexico. There is no restriction on nationality.

Early Career Researchers are defined as holding a PhD (or having equivalent research experience) and having up to 10 years post-PhD research experience. They are equivalent to the ‘Recognised Researcher’ and sometimes ‘Experienced Researcher’ categories in the EU framework for researchers’ careers. Participants must have a research or academic position (either a permanent post, research contract, or fellowship etc) at a recognised research institution either in the UK or in Mexico.

Contact

Dr. Elias Martinez

elias.martinezhernandez@eng.ox.ac.uk