Bioprocess Technology for microbial synthesis of bio-surfactants to use as Food additives utilising residual food-industry by-products

The project would include the biosynthesis of bioactive molecule surfactants in bioprocess technology systems, including submerged and solid-state fermentation. The materials to be used as the carbon sources be provided by food waste industrial outlets, mainly the residual by-products and waste materials generated in the local food and dairy industry. Various other substrates, including residual wastes from the food related agriculture industry, will be explored as suitable economical low-cost materials.

This research project involves our efforts to contribute to sustainable development goals of sustainability and Circular Bioeconomy, including SDG3 Good Health & Well-Being (through environmental sustainability, use of wastes and recycling of food generated materials using the functionality of biosurfactant), SDG4 Quality Education (through the training of a doctoral-researcher), and SDG9 (through Industrial partnership, developing a technology Innovation and Infrastructure for biosurfactant synthesis).

Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

The University offers the following levels of support:

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

1-Dahiya D, Terpou A, Dasenaki M, Nigam P. (2023) Current status and future prospects of bioactive molecules delivered through sustainable encapsulation techniques for food fortification. Sustainable Food Technology Royal Society of Chemistry. rsc.li/susfoodtech Sustainable Food Technology, 2023, 1, 500 – 510. DOI: 10.1039/d3fb00015j
2-Manga, Celik, Cabuk & Banat (2021). Biosurfactants: Opportunities for the development of a sustainable future.Current Opinion Colloid & Interface Science 101514 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101514
3-Banat et al. (2020) Biosurfactants: The green generation of speciality chemicals and potential production using Solid-State fermentation (SSF) technology. Bioresource Technology, 124222
4-da Silva, Banat, et al. (2021). Fungal biosurfactants, from nature to biotechnological product: Bioprospection, production and potential applications. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-021-02597-5.
5-J de Oliveira, LP de Souza Vandenberghe, PZ de Oliveira, AFM de Mello, Nigam P. et al. 2021 Bioconversion of potato-processing wastes into an industrially-important chemical lactic acid. Bioresource Technology Reports, 100698
6-V Panagopoulos, A Dima, K Boura, L Bosnea, PS Nigam, et al. 2021. Cell factory models of non-engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing lactase in a second layer for lactose fermentation in one batch. Enzyme and Microbial Technology 145, 109750
7-Drosos A, Boura K, Dima A, Soupioni M, Nigam P, et al. 2021. A cell-factory model of Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on bacterial cellulose without GMO for consolidated bioprocessing of starch. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 128, 202-214