News

Position: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Project: BioElectrochemical Lithium rEcoVEry (BELIEVE)
Start date: February 15, 2023
Duration: 18 months
Department of Microbial Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
Project Supervisors: Professor Claudio Avignone Rossa, Professor Jhuma Sadhukhan, Dr Siddharth Gadkari

There is currently a high demand for Li, a high-tech metal found only in a few locations worldwide. Li production is costly, energy-demanding, and environmentally damaging: It is essential to design and optimise methods for recovering Li from spent LiB.

This project will focus on designing and optimising a bioelectrochemical system (BES) to recover high purity Li. We will design a microbial electrochemical system to recover Li from LiB waste, focusing on the main aspects affecting the process: microorganisms, reactor configuration, electrodes, metal concentration, substrates, etc. We will screen diverse microbial species and communities for their capability to remove Li from the waste and test them in different reactor designs (microbial fuel, electrochemical and desalination cells, and tubular reactors). This will provide qualitative and quantitative correlations between metal removal, microbial community composition, electrochemical performance, and the characterisation of different designs of microbial electrochemical reactors for efficient processing of LiB waste.

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher preferably with a background in microbial biotechnology and expertise in microbial electrochemical systems, ideally with hands-on experience in metal recovery from wastewaters.

Full details of the project and the application procedure will be posted in the University of Surrey’s pages (https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/Vacancies.aspx). PLEASE NOTE: If the link is not active, please use the contact details below.

Potential candidates interested in discussing details of the project should contact Professor Claudio Avignone Rossa (c.avignone-rossa@surrey.ac.uk), Professor Jhuma Sadhukhan (j.sadhukhan@surrey.ac.uk) or Dr Siddharth Gadkari (s.gadkari@surrey.ac.uk)

Institution contact information

Professor Claudio Avignone Rossa FRSB
Professor of Systems Microbiology
Department of Microbial Sciences
School of Biosciences
University of Surrey
Guildford GU2 7XH
United Kingdom

Contact email address

c.avignone-rossa@anna-salvian

Deadline

15-12-2022

External link

https://jobs.surrey.ac.uk/Vacancies.aspx

Are you interested in sediment geochemical processes and would you like to work at the interface between biology, electrochemistry, and physics? At the Department of Biology at Aarhus University (Denmark), we seek for a postdoc to investigate the influence of electric fields on the mass transport of nutrients in sediments.

The availability of nutrients in aquatic systems controls biological processes that in turn regulate climate and environmental quality. Electric fields naturally develop in soils and sediments, however to date their influence on the transport of dissolved ions has been neglected. In the project e-Move (funded by the Velux Foundation), we aim to quantify the contribution of such electric forces to the movement of nutrients in freshwater environments, and to expand our knowledge on the main factors that control their establishment in nature.

Expected start date and duration of employment
The position is for 2 years and is available from 1.2.2023 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Institution contact information

Aarhus University

Contact email address

ugomar@bio.au.dk

Deadline

25-11-2022

External link

https://international.au.dk/about/profile/vacant-positions/job/postdoc-in-sediment-biogeochemistry-and-electrochemistry

Microbial electrogenesis – i.e. the generation of electricity from organic compounds in wastewater or marine sediments, and microbial electrosynthesis – i.e. the electrotrophic storage of electric current in organic molecules (e.g. from CO2), are two main applications of microbial electrochemical technologies. In both cases, the efficiency of the bioelectrochemical material and energy conversion depends strongly on the nature and the rate of electron transfer between microorganism and electrode. In this electron transfer, sulphur compounds can play an essential role, including intentionally as electron transfer mediators, but also (undesirably) in the formation of passivating surface layers. The main focus of this doctoral project is to improve the understanding of the role of sulphur compounds in extracellular electron transfer and thus to tailor bioelectrochemical processes.

What are your tasks?
The advertised position will be dedicated to a systematic experimental elucidation of the influence and reaction mechanisms of sulphur and sulphur compounds on the extracellular electron transfer in bioelectrochemical systems. The focus will be on the application of electrochemical methods in combination with microbial work.

Institution contact information

Prof. Uwe Schröder, Institute of Biochemistry, Greifswald University, Germany

Contact email address

uwe.schroeder@uni-greifswald.de

Deadline

09-10-2022

External link

https://biochemie.uni-greifswald.de/en/forschung/forschung-in-den-arbeitskreisen/translate-to-english-elektrobiochemie/translate-to-english-stellenangebote/

The Jack Lab (U-M faculty profile) in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (CEE) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (UM-CEE, graduate program ranked #3 U.S. News and World Reports) invites applications for multiple funded Ph.D. student and post-doctoral research fellow positions to study fundamental kinetic and thermodynamic processes at the electrochemical-biological interface towards the development of scalable CO2 capture and conversion technologies.

This interdisciplinary work will span topics such as electrochemical water and CO2 electrolysis as well as several emerging microbial electrochemical technologies (e.g. microbial electrosynthesis, electro-enzymatic synthesis, electro-fermentation, microbial electrolytic carbon capture). Overall, this work will focus on tailoring CO2 conversion processes towards high reaction rates, selectivity, yields, and energy efficiencies.

In addition to pursuing independent research projects, researchers will also obtain valuable grant writing experience, exposure to professional networking events with national labs and private companies, and opportunities to communicate research findings via peer-reviewed journal publications, podcasts, and presentations at national and international conferences.

For postdocs: The anticipated start date for this position is Spring 2023 or later. Appointments are anticipated for two years, with renewal after the first year, contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Successful candidates will hold the rank of postdoctoral research fellow and be provided a competitive salary, benefits, and support for conference travel and/or career development.

WHO WE ARE

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of the nation’s number one public research institution, Michigan Engineering’s mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.
Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/.
The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering: https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Ideal candidates should possess a recently earned master’s or bachelor’s degree (for Ph.D. positions) or Ph.D. (for postdoc positions) in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, biological engineering, material science, natural sciences (i.e. chemistry, physics, biology) or related STEM field.
A strong academic background with relevant lab experience in electrochemistry, process design and modeling, biological wastewater treatment, material science, and/or membrane technologies is highly preferred.
Researchers with exceptional work ethic, hands-on experimental ability, willingness to learn across fields, excellent writing and communication skills, collaborative team-work attitude, and a passion for developing innovative and transformative technologies, that serve the common good, are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter addressed to Prof. Joshua Jack describing research experience and future research interests (1-2 pages), a curriculum vitae (including any publications), and the names and contact information of up to three references.

For Ph.D. students: In addition to submitting materials to Prof. Jack as a single pdf. file, students are encouraged to apply to the CEE graduate program (Fall 2023) via the University of Michigan graduate school online portal.

For postdocs: All applications materials should be submitted as a single pdf file to the UM Careers site: https://careers.umich.edu/search-jobs. Search for job code: 223204. Only one pdf file can be uploaded in the UM Careers system.
Please visit the following website for more information about the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at U-M (https://cee.engin.umich.edu/).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The University of Michigan is one of the most distinguished universities in the world (#3 national public university, U.S. News and World Reports) and a leader in higher education. It’s three campuses are home to over 51,000 students and 5,600 faculty. The University of Michigan boasts one of the largest health care complexes in the world, one of the most extensive university library systems in the USA, and provides among the best computer access for students and faculty of any campus in the world. The University of Michigan is #1 in research volume among USA universities and had around $1.6 billion in research expenditures in 2021. The University of Michigan Tech Transfer office reported more than 500 new inventions in 2021 and 23 new businesses were started in 2021. Recently, 110 of U-M’s graduate programs were ranked in the top 10 (U.S. New and World Reports), making it an exceptional environment to pursue interdisciplinary (or multi-disciplinary) research.

Ann Arbor (nicknamed “Tree-town”) is routinely ranked one of the most desirable places to live in the USA and was ranked #1 best places to live for quality of life (U.S. News and World Reports, 2022-2023) due to it’s excellent health-care, education, affordability, and low-crime rate. Ann Arbor offers both big city attractions and beautiful natural areas with expansive scenic trails and waterways to explore.
Throughout the year, there are countless incredible art, music, and food festivals for locals to enjoy in one of the best college towns in America. In addition, it’s proximity to re-energized Detroit offers an awesome startup scene and international community. With tons of amazing shops, restaurants, bars, sports teams, and outdoorsy activities, Ann Arbor has something for everyone to enjoy.

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Michigan is a Non-Discriminatory/Affirmative Action Employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations are now required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all three campuses, including Michigan Medicine. This includes those working or learning remotely. More information on this policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the U-M Dearborn and U-M Flint websites.

Institution contact information

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor-USA

Contact email address

jdjack@umich.edu

Deadline

31/10/2022

External link

https://careers.umich.edu/search-jobs

The junior research group at UFZ funded by the BMBF, Germany is looking for a fully-funded 4-year PhD student working on the project of cross-membrane transportation of redox chemicals. The main task of this position is to use synthetic biology tools to identify and engineer the membrane transporter for redox chemical, in order to facilitate the electron flux from the cells to the external electron sink. The application deadline is Nov. 1st, and the starting date is 02.2023 (can be discussed on the individual case). Please contact me with your CV and motivation letter, if you are interested.

Contact information

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH – UFZ

Email

bin.lai@ufz.de

Deadline

01-11-2022

Link

https://recruitingapp-5128.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/2555/Description/2

Description

The Resource Recovery Research Group at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) seeks candidates for a PhD in the field of Microbial Fuel Cells/Microbial Electrolysis Cells for wastewater treatment and resource recovery.
The PhD project will focus on the design of a concept that will allow for a combined biogas upgrading and nutrient recovery using sustainable and low-cost electrode materials such as biochar in bioelectrochemical systems. The project will investigate bioelectrochemical approaches aiming at 1) carbon dioxide utilization for biogas upgrading 2) nitrogen and phoshorus recovery in the form of a biobased fertilizer.

The university (NMBU) fully funds the PhD position. The PhD candidate will work as a part of Resource Recovery research group. The research activities in this PhD project will be carried out as a part of the research center Bio4Fuels, a national center of excellence focusing on research on biofuels and value- added products from biomass. The project will be co-supervised by an interdisciplinary team including Assoc. Prof. Pelin Kocatürk Schumacher, Prof. Sven Kerzenmacher, Prof. Svein Jarle Horn.

The project is expected to start in Autumn 2022.

Institution contact information

The Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Campus Ås, Norway
For more info on the Resource Recovery Research Group:
https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/realtek/research/groups/resource-recovery

Contact email address

pelin.kocaturk.schumacher@nmbu.no

Deadline extended

30-09-2022

External link

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/229265/phd-position-within-bioelectrochemical-systems-for-wastewater-treatment-and-resource-recovery

Description

The new BMBF-funded Nachwuchsgruppe at UFZ is looking for an experienced synthetic biologist for a 4-year (1+3) full time postdoc position. The main task of this position is to engineer the membrane electron transfer pathways of cyanobacteria in a biophotovoltaics system using synthetic biology tools, in order to facilitate the electron transfer rate from the oxygenic photosystem to the external electron sink. The successfully candidate will have the support to establish and lead the synthetic biology platform in the group, and will be strongly supported to develop his/her research profile for the next scientific career move, including but not limited to further training, international conference and networking. This project has an international mentor team including Prof. Victor de Lorenzo, Prof. Peter Lindblad and Prof. Falk Harnisch, and the successful candidate will work closely with the team to drive the project progress.
The position is expected to start from January, 2023, but can be negotiated upon individual cases.

Institution contact information

Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

Contact email address

bin.lai@ufz.de

Deadline

02-10-2022

External link

https://recruitingapp-5128.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/2500/Description/2