Process Engineer for Microalgae Manufacture (KTP Associate) - 351059
 

Salary:  Up to £34,000 + £5,000 Training
FTE:  1.0
Term:  Fixed (30 months)
Closing Date: 07 March 2021

The Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, in partnership with Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures Limited (trading as ScotBio; www.scotbio.com), is seeking to appoint a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate to optimise the manufacture of microalgae using Process Analytic Technologies and Machine Learning.

The role of KTP Associate bridges the worlds of academia and industry, providing a unique opportunity for an enterprising individual to invigorate their career with applied research using cutting edge technologies. ScotBio manufactures high quality food ingredients from microalgae. The aim of the project is to monitor and model the manufacturing process using Process Analytic Technologies and Machine Learning, and to optimise the process in terms of yield and quality. The collaboration between the University and Company enables the best engineering science to be applied to a modern manufacturing process, embedding knowledge and skills to ensure continued industrial innovation grounded in academic excellence.

The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Strathclyde and based at ScotBio, working directly with the Chief Technology Officer as part of the R&D team while liaising with production engineers. The project involves collaborating with the academic partners at the University to design and implement the process monitoring system that enables optimisation. This includes: assessing available technologies and how they are best deployed in the complex biochemical manufacturing process; processing and modelling of manufacturing or time series data to optimise and control the process; developing and implementing a strategy to fuse multi-sensor data; assessing and implementing Machine Learning technologies to allow continuous process improvements. Learning from the project will also be transferred and embedded within the company by providing technical support to the senior management, and training to the R&D team and production engineers.

ScotBio develops and utilizes bioreactor technologies for the commercial scale production of high value biochemicals and natural products from microalgae. Driven by growing consumer demand for clean and sustainable ingredients, the company seeks to expand its manufacturing capabilities to secure a leading position in this sector. The company has its corporate HQ and R&D facility located in central Scotland, and a manufacturing site in Lockerbie for cultivating microalgae on a scale of tens of thousands of litres. ScotBio has worked closely with leading UK academic institutions since its inception, with a portfolio of cutting-edge projects to overcome technical challenges, generate scientific insights, and promote the development of new talent. Indeed, many of ScotBio’s technical staff joined the company following highly successful industrial internships with the company, including from past KTP projects. Successful candidates will be joining a growing team of ambitious and talented professionals.

KTP associates are offered an exceptional opportunity to lead and manage their own unique project, to apply and demonstrate their skills and expertise to real industrial challenges whilst benefitting from the combined support and resources of the two partnering organisations.

The position offers generous opportunities for professional development including via formal qualifications and dedicated mentoring from industry and academia. Associates manage a personal training budget and have access to a variety of KTP training modules.

This role will be based at ScotBio, Motherwell.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Dr Yi-chieh Chen, Lecturer (yichieh.chen@strath.ac.uk)

Click here for full details.
 


Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Department/School
Chemical and Process Engineering
Staff Category
Research
Type of Employment
Fixed-term
Working Hours
Full-time
Vacancy Description
 
Salary:  Up to £34,000 + £5,000 Training
FTE:  1.0
Term:  Fixed (30 months)
Closing Date: 07 March 2021

The Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, in partnership with Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures Limited (trading as ScotBio; www.scotbio.com), is seeking to appoint a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate to optimise the manufacture of microalgae using Process Analytic Technologies and Machine Learning.

The role of KTP Associate bridges the worlds of academia and industry, providing a unique opportunity for an enterprising individual to invigorate their career with applied research using cutting edge technologies. ScotBio manufactures high quality food ingredients from microalgae. The aim of the project is to monitor and model the manufacturing process using Process Analytic Technologies and Machine Learning, and to optimise the process in terms of yield and quality. The collaboration between the University and Company enables the best engineering science to be applied to a modern manufacturing process, embedding knowledge and skills to ensure continued industrial innovation grounded in academic excellence.

The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Strathclyde and based at ScotBio, working directly with the Chief Technology Officer as part of the R&D team while liaising with production engineers. The project involves collaborating with the academic partners at the University to design and implement the process monitoring system that enables optimisation. This includes: assessing available technologies and how they are best deployed in the complex biochemical manufacturing process; processing and modelling of manufacturing or time series data to optimise and control the process; developing and implementing a strategy to fuse multi-sensor data; assessing and implementing Machine Learning technologies to allow continuous process improvements. Learning from the project will also be transferred and embedded within the company by providing technical support to the senior management, and training to the R&D team and production engineers.

ScotBio develops and utilizes bioreactor technologies for the commercial scale production of high value biochemicals and natural products from microalgae. Driven by growing consumer demand for clean and sustainable ingredients, the company seeks to expand its manufacturing capabilities to secure a leading position in this sector. The company has its corporate HQ and R&D facility located in central Scotland, and a manufacturing site in Lockerbie for cultivating microalgae on a scale of tens of thousands of litres. ScotBio has worked closely with leading UK academic institutions since its inception, with a portfolio of cutting-edge projects to overcome technical challenges, generate scientific insights, and promote the development of new talent. Indeed, many of ScotBio’s technical staff joined the company following highly successful industrial internships with the company, including from past KTP projects. Successful candidates will be joining a growing team of ambitious and talented professionals.

KTP associates are offered an exceptional opportunity to lead and manage their own unique project, to apply and demonstrate their skills and expertise to real industrial challenges whilst benefitting from the combined support and resources of the two partnering organisations.

The position offers generous opportunities for professional development including via formal qualifications and dedicated mentoring from industry and academia. Associates manage a personal training budget and have access to a variety of KTP training modules.

This role will be based at ScotBio, Motherwell.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Dr Yi-chieh Chen, Lecturer (yichieh.chen@strath.ac.uk)

Click here for full details.