PhD student/PostDoc (Microbiology or Biotechnology): Production of single-cell protein from electricity and CO2 as a sustainable feed for aquaculture”

On the campus of the University of Bremen (Germany), the first “innovate!Center MaTeNa (Materials – Technologies – Sustainability)” of the Joachim Herz Foundation is being created. It aims to bring research results in the field of ‘Materials for Sustainable Technologies’ into application more quickly. For the five-year transfer project “Production of single-cell protein from electricity and CO2 as a sustainable feed for aquaculture” we are now seeking a research assistant (m/f/d) from the field of microbiology or biotechnology (or related).
The use of single cell proteins (SCP) instead of fishmeal as feed in aquaculture is a promising approach to reduce the exploitation of natural fish stocks. Aim of the five-year project is the transfer of the technology from the lab scale (TRL 4) to application together with partners from research and industry. Eventually, an up-scaled microbial electrosynthesis cell for the production of SCP shall be developed. Ideally, a start-up will be founded based on the technology to be developed within the project.

Your task is to optimize the electro-biotechnological cultivation of Methanococcus maripaludis as a single-cell protein source. In particular, the influence of the cultivation conditions and the electrode material on growth and productivity will be investigated. The work will also include the accompanying analysis of the composition and protein spectrum of the product, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration with aquaculture experts who will carry out feeding trials during the project. Furthermore, you will support the parallel development and characterization of an up-scaled microbial electrosynthesis cell for SCP production with your microbiological expertise and ideally accompany the spin-off of a corresponding start-up.

Institution contact information

University of Bremen/Germany
Research Group Environmental Process Engineering
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Sven Kerzenmacher
https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/uvt

Contact email address

kerzenmacher@uni-bremen.de

Deadline

31-01-2025

External link

https://www.uni-bremen.de/fileadmin/user_upload/fachbereiche/fb4/uvt/Stellenausschreibungen/2024-12-02_MaTeNa-Mikrobio_en.pdf