News

NA-ISMET 2024

The 2024 North American Meeting of the International Society for Microbial Electrochemistry and Technology (NA-ISMET) will be hosted at Rice University during April 3-5, 2024. We look forward to seeing you in April 2024!

IMPORTANT DATES

Abstract Submission Deadline: October 16, 2023
Registration Deadline: January 15, 2024

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

  • Caroline Ajo-Franklin (Rice University)
  • Benjamin (Keith) Keitz (University of Texas at Austin)
  • Z. Jason Ren (Princeton University)
  • Annette (Annie) Rowe (University of Cincinnati)
  • Jonathan (Joff) Silberg (Rice University)

Electrified CO2 capture and conversion

The Jack Lab (U-M faculty profile) in the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department (CEE) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (UM-CEE, program ranked #2 U.S. News and World Reports) invites applications for funded 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.
This position is currently open with an anticipated start date dependent on the applicant’s availability. 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 Ph.D. in chemical engineering, material science, mechanical engineering, natural science (i.e. chemistry, physics, biology) or related STEM field.
A strong academic background with relevant lab experience in electrochemistry, process design, first principles modeling, material science, data analytics, 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.

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: 233765. 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.

BACKGROUND SCREENING

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Contact email address

jdjack@umich.edu

Deadline

10/01/2023

External link

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

open position (for both Post Graduate and postDoctoral fellows) – Italy

Offer Description

Design, implementation, and operation of bioelectrochemical processes aimed at the production of gaseous fuels (i.e., biohydrogen and biomethane). Analysis and characterization of process performance by means of chemical, electrochemical, and microbiological methodologies. Part of the experimental activity could be performed in the laboratories of ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development – Centro ricerche Casaccia).

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

Eligible destination country/ies for fellows:

  • Italy

Eligibility of fellows: country/ies of residence:

  • EUROPE

Eligibility of fellows: nationality/ies:

  • Italy

Website for additional job details

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/101245

Deadline

27 May 2023 – 23:59 (UTC)

Where to apply

https://xup-chem.cloud

Contact

https://www.chem.uniroma1.it/

4 Postdocs and 4 PhD students on cable bacteria

For the extension of Center for Electromicrobiology until 2027 we seek a total of 8 enthusiastic, young researchers with a keen interest in cable bacteria and a relevant background for research in one of the following areas:
– Molecular structure, mechanism, or catalytic properties of conductive biopolymers
– Functional genomics, physiology, or structural biology of electron-conducting microbes
– Interactions and population controls in (electric) aquatic microbial communities

Institution contact information

Head of Center Lars Peter Nielsen or Vice Head Andreas Schramm, Center for Electromicrobiology, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Contact email address

lpn@bio.au.dk

Deadline

01-06-2023

External link

https://bio.au.dk/center-for-elektromikrobiologi-cem/positions

PhD position in microbial electrochemistry @ Greifswald University

Electrochemically active biofilms form the heart of bioelectrochemical systems such as microbial fuel cells and determine their performance significantly. A deeper understanding of the function and limitations of these biofilms and the development of high-performance biofilm electrodes based on this understanding are core aspects of the research of our group. The aim of the PhD project “Biofilm Monitoring” is to gain a deeper insight into the growth and properties of electrochemically active biofilms. The focus is on biofilm investigation and characterization using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalances in combination with electrochemical methods such as impedance spectroscopy.

What are your tasks?
The advertised position will be dedicated to a systematic experimental elucidation of the growth and properties of electrochemically active biofilms. In particular, oscillating quartz methods such as the electrochemical quartz microbalance will be used to investigate biofilm growth (mass) and biofilm properties (visco-elastic properties) and correlate them with electrochemical measurements.

The position offered is intended for academics who are pursuing a doctorate. Tasks will therefore be transferred that are conducive to the preparation of a doctorate.

Institution contact information

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

Contact email address

uwe.schroeder@uni-greifswald.de

Deadline

11-04-2023

External link

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

PhD position (f/m/x) on the Process Engineering and Modelling of Biophotovoltaics

A 4-year PhD position at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is now open for application. The desired candidate is expected to working on the project of measuring and modelling the process kinetics on the process interfaces of biophotovoltaics and develop novel process concept for improved system performance.

Institution contact information

For inquiries, please contact Dr. Bin Lai at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), with your CV and motivation letter.

Contact email address

bin.lai@ufz.de

Deadline

15-03-2023

External link

https://recruitingapp-5128.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/2658/Description/2

Post Doctoral Research Fellow – Microbial Electrochemical Technology for metal recovery

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

Postdoc in sediment biogeochemistry and electrochemistry

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

Public Engagement Awards

ISMET was impressed by the engagement of community members on Public Engagement Day and selected three members to be awarded for their inspiring participation:

We congratulate:

  • Paniz Izadi (Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany) for the 3rd Place (100 Euro)
  • Paolo Dessi (Galway, Ireland) for the 2nd Place (200 Euro)
  • Naoko Yashida (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan) for the 1st Place (300 Euro)

With the success of this first participation at the Public Engagement Day, we want to turn this into a tradition. So please stay tuned for a new round of exciting engagement options next year…