Know more

Context

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a major societal issue, especially in the aviation sector which requires high energy density liquid fuels. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new alternative and environmentally friendly processes for producing « biokerosene » from renewable resources. In this context, the BIOCTANE project (https://www.bioctane.eu/) aims at developing an innovative combination of processes for the conversion of organic waste into jet fuels. Carbon neutrality of the whole transformation chain is targeted by combining biotechnological and thermocatalytic production routes and achieve efficient valorisation of the organic waste.

First, complex organic waste (biowaste) will be converted into platform molecules and hydrogen, by combining biotechnological and hydrothermal gasification technologies. A chemical process will finalise the conversion, through different innovative catalytic steps where the platform molecules and the hydrogen will be converted into hydrocarbons suitable for the aviation sector (biokerosene).

Description of the Ph.D. research topic

The Ph.D. thesis aims at optimising the biological conversion of biowaste by microbial fermentation into platform molecules, and more particularly into propionic acid.

The thesis work will first focus on investigating the influence of operating conditions (abiotic factors) on the fermentation process in mixed microbial cultures to maximise biowaste conversion into organic acids, and more specifically into propionic acid. The second part of the work aims at developing eco-engineering strategies of microbial communities (biotic factors) by investigating the interaction mechanisms between fermentative bacteria. Special attention will be made on artificial modification or enrichment of the microbiome in propionic acid-producing bacteria.

Funding

Project Horizon Europe BIOCTANE (2022-2026). The Ph.D. student will fully contribute and be involved in the project (discussions with partners, regular progress meetings, workshops).

Location

Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l’Environnement, F-11100 Narbonne, France

Profile of the applicant

Master's degree or engineer degree with research experience. Strong knowledge in the field of bioprocess engineering and microbiology.  The candidate is expected to be autonomous, rigorous, able to work in a team, have good writing skills and good command in English.

Application requirements:  CV and cover letter. Support letter(s) are accepted.

Contacts

Eric Trably eric.trably@inrae.fr

Renaud Escudié renaud.escudie@inrae.fr

Nicolas Bernet nicolas.bernet@inrae.fr