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Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
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This PhD project integrates microbial electrochemical synthesis of fatty acids for the efficient and stable production of fit-for-purpose bioplastics. The world is becoming more polluted with plastics from fossil origin. Luckily, biologically produced and degradable alternatives from residual biomass are offering a solution. PHA, a polymer consisting of fatty acids, can replace conventional plastics. The current production process is not efficient enough, and the input biomass does not necessarily give the desired plastic product and properties. Microbial electrosynthesis offers the opportunity to produce fatty acids from CO2 and renewable electricity. E-plastic aims to integrate fatty acid electrosynthesis into the PHA production process.
Where are you going to work?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
What are you going to do?
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) derived from renewable sources such as wastewater sludge or lignocellulosic biomass offer a biodegradable alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics. PHAs are currently produced by hydrolysing complex biomass into smaller units, which are subsequently biologically degraded and acidified into a mixture of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), predominantly acetate. These VFAs are fed to PHA-accumulating bacteria that form bioplastics whose properties depend on the VFA mixture. Therefore, the biomass source will mostly determine the PHA composition. Besides, as 40% of carbon is lost as CO2, the carbon efficiency of the process is currently insufficient to make a viable process. Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) uses electrochemically active microorganisms that catalyse the conversion of CO2, together with renewable electricity, into VFAs. Therefore, the main goal of this project is to integrate VFAs produced by MES into the PHA production process for the efficient and stable production of fit-for-purpose bioplastics.
While the production of short-chain fatty acids like acetate and propionate is established, the selective production of longer-chain fatty acids remains a challenge. To achieve longer-chain VFAs in MES, electron donors like ethanol or lactate are typically added, but these are expensive. These electron donors will also be produced through microbial electrosynthesis from CO2 and be used to produce a mixture of longer (even and uneven) fatty acids like butyrate and valerate at high selectivity and concentration. Finally, the produced VFAs will be added to the PHA production process for the efficient and stable production of fit-for-purpose bioplastics.
Who are you?
You:
- Hold a University Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, Bioelectrochemistry, Applied Microbiology, Environmental Engineering or a related field.
- Have a strong interest in working with reactors, multidisciplinary research and applying microorganisms in a circulair concept.
- Are available to start before September 2026.
- Have excellent English language skills (both spoken and written).
- Are able to work in an international environment, and you are highly motivated and reliable.
