Bioproduction of bioplastics with tailored properties

This multidisciplinary project aims to develop a novel technology, exploiting the fermentation at different scales and modes (batch/fed-batch/continuous) for the bioproduction of bioplastics with tailored properties. The project will focus on sustainable carbon resources, such as e.g. biorefinery crude glycerol, flue gases etc. An exciting combination of both advanced experimental and computational studies is envisaged: Experimental efforts will include the exploration of cell immobilisation technologies, which is a key element for successful continuous fermentation and bioreactor design and operation. Our previous work on batch fermentation-based production of PHB will provide effective starting points for this project. Computational work will involve the construction of bioreactor simulators in conjunction with advanced optimisation techniques in order to obtain optimal configurations addressing important issues such as (on-line) biomass/product separation, recycle as well as effcient extraction techniques, to efficiently tailor polymer properties. The best continuous bioreactor designs will be selected through an efficient combination of experiments and computations. Studies of the metabolic pathways of the system using system biology approaches will be utilised to appropriately optimally adapt the microorganism for the selected experimental system. We expect this project to create significant benefits not only towards the improvement of this process, but also in the general areas of industrial biotechnology and of integrated biorefineries. 

See http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/k.theodoropoulos/publications for a list of our relevant publications. 

Entry requirements

Research will be supervised by Prof C. Theodoropoulos. Candidates should ideally have an MSc and/or a 1st class BSc in Chemical Engineering or a related field such as Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physical Chemistry etc. and should have computational modelling experience and/or relevant experimental experience. 

Successful candidates will be enrolled in the 3.5-year Ph.D. program of the Department of Chemical Engineering. 

Funding 

At Manchester we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers. 

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for. 

Before you apply 

We MUST contact the lead supervisor - Prof Konstantinos Theodoropoulos - [Email Address Removed] - for this project before you apply. 

How to apply 

To be considered for this project you’ll need to complete a formal application through our online application portal. 

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, how you’re planning on funding your research, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. 

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing [Email Address Removed]. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion 

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status. 

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).