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Biotechnology● OpenInternshipPreview

Internship: Steering microbial communities with electricity for medium-chain fatty acid production

Explore electrochemical strategies to control microbial chain elongation for sustainable chemical production.

Best for:Master's students in biotechnology or bioprocess engineering with an interest in microbial electrochemistry.

INRAE · Narbonne, France · R1 · First-stage researcher
More professors at INRAE
Microbial ElectrochemistryBioprocess EngineeringWaste ValorizationMicrobial EcologyGreen Chemistry
This is a internship position — not a PhD studentship.
Deadline
—
Funding
—
6 months
Start date
2027-02-01
Temporary
Location
Narbonne
France

Overview

The Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement (LBE) at INRAE is offering a six-month internship focused on microbial electrochemical technologies. The project aims to optimize the production of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) from organic waste by manipulating microbial communities at the biocathode. The intern will investigate the impact of bioanodes, microbial community composition, and various operating conditions on process performance. This role is part of the ElectroMIC project, which seeks to advance sustainable waste valorization through green chemistry.

Electro-fermentationMedium-chain fatty acidsBioanodeBiocathodeChain elongationMicrobial communities

What you'll do

  • Enrich electroactive species by applying electric potential to the anode.
  • Monitor biofilm formation and analyze metabolites to identify oxidation reactions.
  • Assess the compatibility of bioanode oxidation with chain elongation processes.
  • Investigate the influence of microbial community composition on biocathode performance.
  • Evaluate the impact of operating conditions such as substrate composition and electron donor availability.
  • Perform electrochemical measurements and chemical analyses to assess community response.

Requirements

Degree required: M2 student in microbiology, biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, or a related field

Language: English or French

Instruction: English or French

Required skills
  • Laboratory work experience
  • Basic knowledge of microbiology
  • Basic knowledge of bioprocesses
  • Scientific rigor and motivation
Nice to have
Experience in electrochemistryExperience with microbial electrochemical systemsFamiliarity with analytical techniques
Eligibility
  • Must be a current M2 student

Funding & terms

Type
Unknown
Amount
—
Duration
6 months
Programme
ElectroMIC (ANR, PEPR B-BEST)
ANR

How to apply

Deadline: 2026-11-01

Interested candidates should send their CV and a motivation letter via email to the contact person provided.

Documents required
  • CV
  • Motivation letter
✉Apply by email

Contact

Luisa Barbonaglia

luisa.barbonaglia@inrae.fr

https://www6.montpellier.inrae.fr/narbonne/

LB
Prof.
Luisa Barbonaglia
Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l'Environnement (LBE)
luisa.barbonaglia@inrae.frWebsite ↗
Lab
LBE
INRAE
ElectroMIC (ANR, PEPR B-BEST)France
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