Research Assistant

Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Section of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources (Prof. Dr. Wachendorf), the following position is to be filled as soon as possible:
Kennziffer - Research Assistant (M/F/d), EG 13 TV-H, temporary, part-time (currently 26 hours per week)
**Application deadline**:
08.10.2024
**Date of hire**: as soon as possible
**vacancy number**: 37768
Part-time with 65 percent of the regular working hours of a full-time employee. The position is initially limited until 31.01.2028 as part of the project of the junior research group "Bio4Act - Biogenic activated carbons and platform chemicals from residual biomasses for the implementation of a sustainable circular bioeconomy" in accordance with - 2 WissZeitVG. The possibility of doctoral studies is given. Place of work is Potsdam.
The junior research group, funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) aims to develop and investigate sustainable technology and utilization concepts for residual biomasses by converting them into high-quality activated carbon (e.g. for wastewater treatment), platform chemicals (e.g. for plastics) and renewable energy carriers. This is intended to replace fossil raw materials with biogenic equivalents and at the same time contribute to the preservation and expansion of ecosystems. Within the framework of the junior research group, the position holder will work on the following topics:

- Production of platform chemicals from residual biomass and by-products of biomass processing using microbial fermentation.
- Identification of suitable grassland residues for the production of platform chemicals
- Utilization of biogenic activated carbons for the purification of platform chemicals in downstream processing (DSP).
- Bioprocess optimization at lab scale, followed by process scale up and DSP

**Tasks**:

- Independent scientific research activities in the field of the production of platform chemicals from unused residual biomass from landscape conservation (e.g. FFH areas, nature reserves, invasive species) by using microbial fermentation at different setups (batch, fed-batch, continuous)
- Development and research of adapted concepts for utilizing by-products from biomass treatment for the production of biogenic activated carbons and solid fuels for the generation of platform chemicals.
- Planning, execution and evaluation of experiments on the utilisation of biogenic activated carbon for the downstream processing of platform chemicals and/or for the removal of process inhibitors from the substrate
- Planning, execution, and evaluation of independent experiments for the production of platform chemicals from residual biomass in the laboratory and pilot plant facilities.
- Determination of material properties, material and mass flows and process modeling
- Documentation, evaluation and assessment of the experimental results
- Preparation and presentation of research results in internationally recognized journals and participation in scientific events
- Contribution to project reports

**Requirements**:

- Completed scientific university degree (Master or equivalent) with at least good results in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, process engineering or a related field. The required degree must be obtained by the recruitment date at the latest.
- Knowledge and experience in the field of microbial fermentation and generation of biogenic platform chemicals.
- Knowledge of and experience with laboratory methods for the quantification and characterisation of organic acids and for the evaluation of microbial fermentation processes.
- A high level of interest in research and development of innovative technology concepts for the sustainable use of biogenic resources.
- Ability to link own research with the broader climate and sustainability context
- Thorough and independent working style.
- A high degree of organizational and teamwork skills
- High interdisciplinary willingness to learn and cooperate
- Good oral and written communication skills in German and English or willingness to learn the language

**Advantageous**:

- Experience in the production of organic acids from residual biomass by microbial fermentation.
- Scientific expertise, preferably demonstrated by a degree in a field of activity relevant to the junior research group
- Knowledge of statistical data analysis, ideally also experience in using script-based software (e.g. R or Python)
- Class B driver's license
- Experience in knowledge transfer and inter
- or transdisciplinary collaboration
- In-depth experience in laboratory work for the quantification and characterisation of organic acids from microbial fermentation processes

**For further information, please contact Dr.Ing. Kaetzl, Tel.**: +49 561 804-1241,, -kassel.de/go/bio4act.
**Our Offer**:
As an employee of the University of Kassel
- you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious universit