MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE IF 2019 – EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: CHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROCESSES GROUP (CHEMBIOPRO) - UNIVERSIDAD DE VALLADOLID

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The University of Valladolid is one of the most important centers of Higher Education in Spain. It counts on four campuses -Valladolid, Palencia, Segovia and Soria, over 100 degrees, 29 doctoral programs (14 with Honor Mention) and 68 postgraduate degree, accredited international relations and prestigious research Centers. On average, nearly 25,000 students enroll each year, counts on more than 2,500 teachers and nearly 1,000 people dealing with administration tasks and other services. Over 60% of students do internships in companies and other institutions. It offers a comprehensive range of double international degrees, and promotes the transfer of research results.

The UVA has 300 km2 for researching activities, 5 buildings devoted exclusively to research, 4 Certified Laboratories Industry serving nearly 300 research laboratories, 19 research institutes and all departments needed. A landmark Lab-building (foundation 2014), called LUCIA (0% CO2 emissions; 0% energy consumption, with LEED Platinum certification and Green Certification), with 2,100 m2 for researching related to efficiency energy buildings and agrofood (nutrition, food and dietary laboratories).

The UVA manages around 180/year research projects financed through competitive public R+D+i calls (European, national or regional), and approximately 500 contracts and agreements aimed at the transfer of knowledge and technology, amounting to an average value of over fifteen million Euros per annum. Moreover, its researchers take part in almost 250 further projects and contracts managed by other institutions.

UVA has been taking part in a very active way in different European projects, at research or training level, during the last 20 years. There is a long experience in international projects developed by different groups of research in the University and different fields of knowledge.

The research group on Chemical and Biochemical Processes(ChemBioPro) of the University of Valladolid works in the development of chemical and biotechnological applications for the valorization of agroindustrial byproducts and waste and the transformation of renewable carbon sources into high value added products.

RESEARCH / PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Chemical and Biochemical Processes group has participated in many research projects founded by European, National and Regional organizations and projects in collaboration with companies.

The main research lines are:

- Valorization of agro-food byproducts to transform renewable carbon sources into high value-added products (organic acids, biopolymers, single cell protein, arabinoxylans)

- Second generation Biofuels (bioethanol, biobutanol) from lignocellulosic biomass and agro-food industry byproducts through biological processes (pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification, fermentation, downstream).

- Recovery of nutrients from biomass for the production of biofertilizers and biostimulants from organic waste.

The research will be conducted in the Institute of Sustainable Process (http://www.ips.uva.es/) that aims to develop activities on topics of interest for the sustainable management of natural resources, industrial development, the transfer of knowledge and technology to companies.

Description of the offer:

The offer is related with the valorization of organic waste and effluents for the recovery of nutrients (organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous) to produce biofertilisers and biostimulants for agricultural proposes.

The demand for fertilisers is essential for agriculture. Fertilisers are obtained through chemical processes using non-renewable energies and their overuse and incorrect application could damage the soil with adverse side effects for plants. Waste biomass is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, essential macroelements for planting. The recovery of nutrients from waste will contribute to the development of a sustainable agriculture.

Work location(s):

Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology. Institute of Sustainable Processes. University of Valladolid.

The Department research staff includes 27 lecturers and 6 technicians. The laboratories are well equipped with modern facilities to develop research projects with success. The Marie Curie fellow will be fully integrated in the research group, benefiting from a range of research and academic activities, including:

1) Full participation in research projects,

2) Involvement in international collaborations,

3) Participation in direction of Ph.D. thesis,

4) Collaboration in outreach and teaching activities,

5) Attendance of international conferences and meetings.

WHO CAN APPLY?

At the deadline for the submission of proposals (11/09/2019), researchers:

- shall be in possession of a doctoral degree or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience.

- must not have resided or carried out their main activities in the country of Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.

Offer Requirements:

- PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Biology Chemistry.

- Language: English (B2). Basic knowledge of Spanish is recommended.

CONTACT PERSON

General contact: Mónica Coca Sanz

Email: monica@iq.uva.es

Tlf: (+34) 983 184 595

More information about the contact person (publications) can be found at:

https://scholar.google.es/citations?user=bhJ5y0EAAAAJ&hl=es

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9884-9034

APPLICATIONS: DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

- CV

- Cover letter outlining your eligibility and motivation for applying (max 1 side).