Research Fellow in Microbial Fermentation, Modelling & Control

About us

The UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) support the £10M Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub, FBRH (https://futurebrh.com/). The Hub, led by the University of Manchester, is a national centre that brings together world-leading expertise across a range of academic and industrial partners (Spokes). The focus is on developing new underpinning technologies based on Industrial Biotechnology (IB) to enable efficient, sustainable and innovative bio-based manufacturing in three key sectors: pharmaceuticals, value-added chemicals and engineering materials. The UCL Department of Biochemical Engineering is a key Spoke focusing on the creation and scale-up of intensified bioprocess technologies and their translation into commercial biomanufacturing processes. The department is one of the leading international centres for bioprocess research in the IB field. It has excellent research facilities including synthetic biology, automation and microfluidics laboratories as well as a full-scale £30M bioprocessing pilot plant. This FBRH post is available immediately for a period of 2 years and will involve significant collaboration with the wider FBRH team. The post will be based in the new Manufacturing Futures Lab at the UCL East campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

About the role

UCL FBRH research addresses the development and scale-up of new bioprocess technologies for intensified whole cell and enzymatic bioconversion processes. This particular post will explore novel industrial host organisms for large scale, commodity chemicals production. The focus will be on creation of intensified fermentation processes (fed-batch, continuous), their kinetic modelling, monitoring and control. This work will be led by Prof. Gary Lye.

About you

Candidates will be required to hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (Biochemical or Chemical Engineering or related subject e.g. Biotechnology) and possess experience in a number of the following areas: microbial fermentation, kinetic modelling, bioprocess monitoring and control or fermentation scale-up. The post will require a high degree of interaction with project partners so excellent team working and communication skills are required. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking original experimental and modelling work, reporting on project progress and the preparation and submission of research papers arising from these and related studies.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: • 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance

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