Applications are invited for the role of Post-Doctoral Researcher on Circular bioeconomy systems within the Environmental Research Institute.

 

Applications are invited for the post of Post-Doctoral Researcher to join the MaREI Centre in University College Cork (UCC), based at Environmental Research Institute, Ellen Hutchins Building, Lee Road, Cork. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will primarily work on the performing techno-economic assessment (TEA), followed by environmental and social Life Cycle Assessments (e-LCA and s-LCA) of Cascading Algal Biomethane Biorefinery systems (CABBS). Such a system incorporates Anaerobic Digestion with photosynthetic biogas upgrading technology for the co-production of biomethane, food and/or feed, biochemicals and biofertilisers. The results of these individual assessments will then be used to perform multi-criteria decision analyses to compare and rank process configurations and co-products of CABBS. This position is primarily desktop-based, incorporating experimental results obtained in works ongoing in other work packages within the project and literature data (as appropriate).

 

The successful post-doc will be based in the MaREI Centre for energy, climate and marine headquartered in the Environmental Research Institute in University College Cork.  MaREI is a key research centre within UCC’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI), which is an internationally recognised Institute for environmental research dedicated to the understanding and protection of our natural environment and to developing innovative technologies, tools and services to facilitate a transformation to a zero carbon and resource efficient society. The MaREI Centre is a Research Ireland funded research centre headquartered in the ERI and includes 13 other Universities and Third Level Institutes across Ireland, has 50 industrial partners and has accumulated research funding of over €60m. It combines the expertise of a wide range of research groups and industry partners, with the shared mission of solving the main scientific, technical and socio-economic challenges across the climate, energy and marine spaces. MaREI is also funded by SEAI, EI, EPA, ERDF, EU, HEA, Marine Institute, DCCAE and IRC, as well as through contributions by our industry partners. Researchers in the MaREI Centre have over 30 years of experience in conducting fundamental and applied research supported by competitively won national and international funding, and commercial contracts with government agencies and industry. MaREI’s strengths lie in the multi-disciplinary nature of its research teams, allowing it to combine insights across areas such as MRE Technologies, Materials & Structures, Observations & Operations, Coastal & Marine Systems, Bioenergy, Energy Policy & Modelling and Renewable Energy Management.

 

MaREI’s Circular Economy Energy and Environmental Systems (CEEES) Research Group focus on renewable advanced fuel production in circular economy systems consists of approximately 20 researchers. The breadth of the work includes for analysis of systems generated by ocean (offshore wind and seaweed) to conversion (hydrogen, electro-fuels, gaseous and liquid biofuels) to end use (industry, transport fuel).

 

Detailed laboratory work includes for production of biohydrogen and biomethane produced by feedstocks such as agricultural residues, lignocellulosic crops, macro-algae (seaweed) and micro-algae. Research covers biological and thermochemical bioenergy pathways. The group investigates a range of innovative technologies at laboratory scale including for Power to Gas, demand driven biogas and novel biogas upgrading technologies. Fundamental and applied aspects of biomass gasification, pyrolysis, and methanation are also investigated. Work includes for desktop analyses such as chemical kinetic modelling, process simulation, geographic specific bioresources, lifecycle analysis, sustainability analyses and techno-economic studies. The research facilitates the development of roadmaps, which describe how Ireland can initiate a green gas industry and contribute to mandatory renewable energy targets for renewable heat and transport fuels.

 

The CEEES research group is led by Dr Archishman Bose (Eli Lilly Lecturer at Process and Chemical Engineering), Dr Richard O’Shea (Lecturer in Sustainability in Enterprise), Dr David Wall (Senior Lecturer in Transportation) and Prof Jerry D Murphy (Director of the Research Ireland MaREI Centre and Chair of Civil Engineering).

 

“Developing cascading biomethane biochemicals and biofertiliser systems for a circular bioeconomy in Ireland (CABBBIE)”

 

Developing cascading biomethane biochemicals and biofertiliser systems for a circular bioeconomy in Ireland (CABBBIE) is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the National Energy Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme.

The CABBIE project will investigate how to advance cascading algal biomethane biorefinery systems (CABBS) towards commercialisation for an adaptive, flexible, and secure bioeconomy. The proposed process, by co-producing food, fuel, fertiliser and/or chemicals would allow establishment of a circular bioeconomy, which is critical to decarbonise the economy and achieve energy and material security. However, CABBS is a nascent technology and significant research is required to optimise and commercialise the process. Thus, this project will conduct research on the following four pillars:

 

•        Study the detailed performance and scale-up of the biogas upgrading process utilising microalgae.

•        Select and investigate microalgae biorefinery of appropriate microalgae species specifically suitable for the Irish climate.

•        Perform multi-criteria decision analyses on environmental and socio-economic performances to compare and rank process configurations and co-products of CABBS.

•        Establish business models, policy requirements and roadmaps to enable replication of CABBS across territorial contexts in Ireland.

•         

This research position focuses on pillar three, and the selected candidate will conduct multi-criteria decision analyses to evaluate environmental and socio-economic performances for selecting optimal CABBS process configurations and co-products.

 

Project Title: Developing cascading biomethane biochemicals and biofertiliser systems for a circular bioeconomy in Ireland (CABBBIE)

 

Post Duration: 18 Months, Whole-Time Post

 

Salary: €45,847 – €52,339 per annum, IUA PD1 Salary Scale  

 

For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.  

 

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Richard O’Shea, Lecturer in Sustainability Enterprise, School of Engineering and Architecture, Tel: + 353 (0) 85 278 6568; Email: richard.oshea@ucc.ie     

 

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title and project name.

 

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday,11th of April 2025