Reducing the human footprint in the atmosphere is of particular importance to stop climate change. The utilization of waste gases in anaerobic processes is a proven means to reduce the CO2 content in the atmosphere and to transform the current fossil-based chemical industry in a circular economy.
The technical term ‘gas fermentation’ comprises the valorization of CO2, CO, H2 containing industrial off-gas to bulk and fine chemicals via microbial conversion. Despite its high potential, the approach suffers from low productivities that challenge economic success.
This research project investigates novel routes to increase the productivity of gas fermentation thereby opening the door to novel large scale applications. Research is embedded in the recently started priority program SPP2494 which provides the framework for a graduate school for about 20 PhD students, nationwide.
Applicants should have a proactive attitude. You should have a keen interest in wet-lab studies, ideally with proven experience in gas fermentation. Furthermore, you should be interested to unravel underlying reasons for observed fermentation phenomena – including mass transfer and mixing characteristics in bioreactors. You should have a Master or Diploma in 'Chemical and/or Bioengineering', 'Biotechnology' or similar.
The position should be filled by April/May 2025.
Please send your applications to:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ralf Takors
Institut für Bioverfahrenstechnik (IBVT)
Allmandring 31
70569 Stuttgart
E-Mail: takors@ibvt.uni-stuttgart.de