News

PHD POSITION IN MICROALGAE TECHNOLOGY/BEER BREWING AT THE NORWEGIAN INSTITUTE OF BIOECONOMY RESEARCH

3rd November 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

This is a full-time 3-year position within microalgae technology and beer brewing. The position is part of the project ALGAE TO FUTURE. The applicants will be linked to Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM), and has to be qualified to the PhD program at KBM NMBU. See regulations https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/phd/regulations_guidelines and required qualification https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/phd/application_admission. The PhD work will be supervised by researchers from NIBIO, NMBU and the consortium partner University of Wageningen, the Netherlands. The place of employment will be NIBIO, Department for Bioresources and Recycling Technologies at Ås.

Job description

The project will develop three microalgal value chains demonstrating the potential of various uses of algal biomass rich in respectively starch, protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the main topic for the current PhD task is production of microalgae for use in fermented beverage production. The specific challenges include the development of a cultivation process for selected food grade approved species of microalgae, where production of microalgae biomass with a product specific biochemical composition is essential. This includes biomass components with functionality resembling malt for beer production, such as high starch content combined with starch degrading enzymes.

The algae biomass will be used in an ordinary or modified brewing process. Processing conditions will be monitored and product properties, such as aromatic profile, chemical composition and storage stability of the product will be evaluated.

Contact persons

Research Manager/Department Head Trine Eggen, tel +47 909 97 074 or Department Head Stig Borgvang, tel +47 458 67 258.

For further information about the position and the application process: POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AVAILABLE

Carry out an STSM in Switzerland

20th October 2017 Raúl Muñoz

 

The Research Group Aquaculture Systems at the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland is inviting applicants for an STSM.

 

We operate a large (20 m2) open photobioreactor, remotely controlled, fully automated (evaporation control, CO2), and equipped with various sensors (PAR, pCO2, turbidity, pH, etc). Together with our autosampler, we can closely follow a cultivation and also have the means to supply the reactor with nutrients from external sources (e.g. with waste water). To carry out work on a smaller scale, we operate a laboratory with incubators (illuminated, CO2, humidity) and various analytical tools (plate reader, analytical chemistry, elemental analysis (XRF, CHN), biomass composition (NIRS), Ecotox tests, etc.).

 

Our interests are manifold: We investigate the use of microalgae in fish feed (we also operate a recirculating aquaculture system), we use microalgae to treat waste water and optimize their cultivation in waste water, we screen microalgae for antifungal activity, we are curious about contaminations, you name it.

 

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher whose skills complement or extend ours and who would like to cooperate with us. You bring in your own ideas for exciting research that hopefully lead to joint publications or larger projects.

 

If you are interested, contact Dominik Refardt (dominik.refardt@zhaw.ch)

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR SHORT TERM SCIENTIFIC MISSIONS (STSM) IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE COST ACTION ES1408 EUALGAE

18th October 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

A STSM grant is a fixed contribution based on the budget requested by the applicant and the evaluation of the application by the selection committee (a maximum of EUR 2.500; EUR 3.500 for ECI). This grant will not necessarily cover all expenses; it is intended only as a contribution to the travel and subsistence costs of the participant.

STSM applicants should be graduate students (must be engaged in an official research programme as a PhD student) or postdoctoral fellows (including Early Career Investigators), and must either be employed by or affiliated to an institution or legal entity which has within its remit a clear association with performing research.

  • Deadline for applications: CLOSED
  • STSMs must be completed by 20th April 2018.
  • The report has to be sent to the STSM coordinator within 30 days after the completion of the STSM and in any case by 20th April 2018.
  • Check here the call text with the requirements.

For further information on STSMs contact the EUAlgae STSM Coordinator Dr Dominik Refardt.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Conference Grants in the framework of COST Action ES1408 EUALGAE

10th October 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

Conference Grants are aimed at supporting PhD students and Early Career Investigators (ECI) from Participating Inclusiveness Target Country (ITC) to attend international science and technology related conferences not specifically organized by the COST Action.

The applicant must make an oral/poster presentation at the conference in question and must be listed in the official event/conference programme. The main subject of the oral presentation/poster presentation/speech at the approved conference must be on the topic of the Action and must acknowledge COST.

A Conference Grant is a fixed financial contribution (maximum EUR 2.000) which takes into consideration the budget request of the applicant and the outcome of the evaluation of the application by the Core Group. Conference Grants do not necessarily cover all of the expenses related to participating in a given conference. It is a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses of the selected Grantee.

The participation of each applicant must be pre-approved by the Core Group of the EUALGAE Action.

  • Deadline for applications: at least 45 days before the conference start date (within the Grant Period 3).
  • The conference participation must be completed by 20th April 2018.
  • The report has to be submitted within 30 calendar days from the end date of the Conference.
  • Check here the call text with the requirements.

For further information on Conference Grants contact the EUAlgae Grant Manager Ms Radoslava Metodieva-López.

EUALGAE is participating in the Workshop “European algae production, with major focus on needs assessment and strategies to bridge the knowledge gaps in production, processing and economic statistics”

28th September 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

Where: Brussels, COST Association facilities
When: 5th and 6th of October 2017
Organization: JRC, FAO, COST Actions Phycomorph and EUALGAE

The workshop “European algae production, with major focus on needs assessment and strategies to bridge the knowledge gaps in production, processing and economic statistics”, that will count with the participation of several experts from the EUALGAE COST Action, aims at bringing together relevant players from the algae data management, production and processing sectors in Europe to discuss effective responses to the previously identified lack of baseline quality data on algae biomass at the European level. This initiative is foreseen to i) target the main knowledge gaps and needs regarding data on algae biomass supply, demands and flows at the European level; ii) discuss the reasons driving the identified gaps and iii) provide recommendations on the ways forward to solve the identified problems. The workshop is also aimed at launching alternative effective tools to integrate reliable knowledge on the sector at the short-term.

You can find the programme here.

Second Training School “Microalgae processes: from fundamentals to industrial scale”

28th September 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

The second Training School “Microalgae processes: from fundamentals to industrial scale” was held in Almería (Spain) from 13th to 15th of September 2017. It was organized by the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Almeria (Spain), in collaboration with Fundación Cajamar (Spain).

The course was attended by 30 PhD students and students with equivalent experience from 11 COST countries (France, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom). The specialized lectures were given by senior researchers from 6 different institutions and the practical was given by senior researchers from the University of Almeria at the facilities of Fundación Cajamar. The third day of the school was devoted to technical lectures by companies’ representatives.

More information here.

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3. IMG-20170914-WA0009  5. IMG-20170914-WA0006

4. IMG-20170914-WA0001  7. IMG-20170915-WA0021

 

 

 

 

Postdoctoral Scientist Position at IMDEA Energia (Spain) to work on Biofuels Production

20th July 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

Required Qualification:

  • Ph.D. degree in Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology.
  • Solid background in photosynthetic microorganisms’ cultivation and fermentative processes.
  • Demonstrated experience by gained expertise and/or publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
  • Experienced in national and international projects.
  • Accredited oral and written communication skills in English.

Location: Mostoles, Madrid, Spain.

Remuneration: Between 33,000€ – 37,000€ per year, depending upon qualification and expertise.

Duration: The position is available immediately and is a one year appointment with annual renewals depending on performance.

Reference: 17.25.BT2 POD

For further information contact Dr. Cristina Gonzalez, email:cristina.gonzalez@imdea.org

Applicants should send their Curriculum Vitae (publications list included) and covering letters by August 18th 2017 to the following address:

 email: cristina.gonzalez@imdea.org

Subject: Reference: 17.25.BT2 POD

For further information: Open position at IMDEA Energy, Spain

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AVAILABLE at Autonomous Metropolitan University- Cuajimalpa Campus (UAM-C) (Mexico City- MEXICO)

7th June 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

With experience on the Microalgal CO2 capture systems for biogas conditioning, reduction of flue gases and for the production of biomass and its use for producing gaseous biofuels or added-value products (you can see a list of the most recent publications at the end of the page), the researchers of the Autonomous Metropolitan University- Cuajimalpa Campus (UAM-C) seek for a candidate that will help to accelerate the generation of scientific and technological knowledge by doing lab and pilot plant experimental research, supervising students and publishing the results in high impact scientific journals.

Profile:

The candidate should hold a PhD on bioprocess, biochemical, biotechnology, chemical or environmental engineering or microbiology. It is necessary to demonstrate knowledge (via publications or conference proceedings) on microalgae cultivation, photobioreactor operation and desirable capabilities on monitoring, instrumentation using engineering software (Labview or other platforms) or molecular tools. However, it is completely necessary to demonstrate skills on writing English scientific documents. Communication skills and experience on student supervision will be appreciated.

Please, send a resume (CV) to the following contacts:

  • Marcia MORALES-IBARRIA Head of CO2 capture and conditioning of gaseous streams cluster-CEMIE-Bio at UAM-C. E-mail: mmorales@correo.cua.uam.mx. Phone: +52 (55) 58046500, ext. 3872.
  • Sergio REVAH, Leader of Academic Research Area Biosystems for environment and bioenergy UAM-C. Email: srevah@correo.cua.uam.mx ; Phone: +52 (55) 58046500, ext. 3560.

Deadline for application should be June 30, 2017

For further information: POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AVAILABLE

Apply for TRAINING SCHOOL 2017 – “Microalgae processes: from fundamentals to industrial scale”

5th June 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

Event-Date: Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 to Friday, September 15th, 2017

The second training school of the EUALGAE Action will be held in Almeria (Spain) from 13th to 15th September 2017, coordinated by the University of Almeria as part of the EUALGAE ES1408 COST Action. COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020.

This is an intensive course about microalgae based processes; on which expertise from academia and industry explain the major aspects of these processes. The course cover all the aspects related with microalgae based processes, from (i) the modelling of strains and light utilization, to (ii) the design and operation of photobioreactors, (iii) harvesting and processing of the biomass to achieve reliable products, and (iv) scale-up to commercial size. Fundamental and practical aspects will be covered always including the participation of young students and the exchange of experiences between the assistants.

The course is oriented towards PhD students or equivalent experience students in microalgae field from whatever fundamental area as microbiology, biology or biological/ biochemical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry. The course is also intended to give those working in the industry an opportunity to upgrade their knowledge in microalgae biotechnology.

EUALGAE COST Action offers:

  • 23 grants of 720 €for students from COST countries participating in the Action and
  • 7 grants of 400 € for Spanish students (for students from Almeria – 75 €).

There is no registration fee for the course & the students have the opportunity to apply for these grants to partially cover their travel expenses, accommodation and meals.

Application:

Applicants should send an email to info@eualgae.eu and attach in one single document:

  • A cover letter with a statement of interest of up to one page, including a description of your research topic
  • Short CV including contact data and a list of publications, if any

 Keydates:

  • 30th of June – Submission of all applications
  • 15th of July – Selection and announcement of participants

 Programme:

Find here the programme as well as the application procedure.

5th CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR SHORT TERM SCIENTIFIC MISSIONS (STSM) IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE COST ACTION ES1408 EUALGAE

23rd May 2017 Radoslava Metodieva

A STSM grant is a fixed contribution based on the budget requested by the applicant and the evaluation of the application by the selection committee (a maximum of EUR 2.500;  EUR 3.500 for ECI). This grant will not necessarily cover all expenses; it is intended only as a contribution to the travel and subsistence costs of the participant.

STSM applicants should be graduate students (must be engaged in an official research programme as a PhD student) or postdoctoral fellows (including Early Career Investigators), and must either be employed by or affiliated to an institution or legal entity which has within its remit a clear association with performing research.

  • Deadline for applications: 20th June 2017.
  • STSMs must be completed by 20th April 2018.
  • The report has to be sent to the STSM coordinator within 30 days after the completion of the STSM and in any case by 20th April 2018.
  • Check here the call text with the requirements.

For further information on STSMs contact the EUAlgae STSM Coordinator Dr Dominik Refardt.