Fermentation Microbiology Engineer, Dry Digestion (KTP Associate)

Faculty of Health & Life Sciences

The role:

An exciting opportunity has become available to work on a 30 month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Exeter and Qube Renewables Ltd. The KTP will create a new optimisation capability for Qube’s novel dry biogas digestors.  

The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Exeter and will be based at Qube’s premises in Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Qube are a small company based in a rural setting. The successful candidate must be able to get to Qube’s offices independently as there are no public transport links, and they must also be able to travel regularly to Qube’s dry digestion development sites in India.

Company Information:

Qube Renewables is an innovative, disruptive technology company specialising in the waste to energy sector.  We are experts in niche, small scale anaerobic digestion technology converting locally occurring biodegradable waste streams into energy to provide heat, power, and fertiliser. We design, manufacture, install and remotely support our systems, and work closely with local operatives to optimise, monitor and maintain the units.

Qualification / skills we require:

• An upper second or first class degree and/or Masters (or PhD at Grade F) in microbiology, molecular biology or fermentation/chemical engineering, or a related field of study.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to India.
• A strong practical background with experience of designing and performing laboratory experiments, planning and execution.
• Relevant experience in biogas and anaerobic digestion, and/or experience of running batch and CTSE biogas reactors in industry and experience in pre-treatment technologies.
• High levels of adaptability and the capacity to drive forward a project in a dynamic and rapidly changing context.
• Exceptional self-management, communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to present their work to a wide variety of audiences.

Benefits:

• A £4,000 training budget with 10% of your working time dedicated to personal development.
• A unique and challenging career opportunity, working with both industry and academia.

• The successful applicant will develop a wide range of industrial and research skills for their future career, utilising the skills and knowledge of company supervisors, as well as benefitting from continuous academic support.

Before submitting an application you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Dr Richard Tennant, Senior Research Fellow in the Exeter Microbial Biofuels Group, 01392 723105, [email protected] or Jo Clayton, CEO at Qube Renewables, [email protected].