Job title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Integrated Marine & Terrestrial Biorefinery Systems (Blue Pasture).
Company
Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Munster Technological University (MTU), in collaboration with BIORBIC – Ireland's National Bioeconomy Research Centre.
Description of the job
The Circular Bioeconomy Research Group at Munster Technological University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to take a senior technical role in the development and validation of integrated biorefinery systems for marine and terrestrial biomass.
This position is part of Blue Pasture, a flagship, challenge-led research programme funded by Research Ireland's National Bioeconomy Research Centre BIORBIC, establishing Ireland's first integrated blue–green biorefinery framework, linking marine and terrestrial biomass. The successful candidate will contribute to process development, pilot translation and scale-up readiness as part of the BIORBIC challenge structure, working closely with the Principal Investigator and a multidisciplinary consortium across BIORBIC, including collaborators at MTU, UCD and the national bioeconomy ecosystem.
This position suits a postdoc seeking applied, translational research experience with a clear pathway from lab-scale research to pilot and market relevance. The contract duration is 24 months.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead research activities supporting the development and optimisation of integrated biorefinery processes for marine and terrestrial biomass.
- Translate validated biorefinery processes from laboratory scale to pilot-scale operation.
- Generate robust process data, performance metrics and technical documentation to support scale-up.
- Contribute to pilot trials, process validation and systems-level performance assessment.
- Provide technical inputs to techno-economic, regulatory and demonstration-scale planning activities.
- Work collaboratively with academic and industry partners across MTU, UCD and the national bioeconomy ecosystem.
- Co-author peer-reviewed publications, technical reports and stakeholder-facing outputs.
- Participate in dissemination and engaged-research activities aligned with BIORBIC's mission.
What We Offer:
- A leading role in a nationally strategic bioeconomy research programme.
- Hands-on experience progressing research from laboratory to pilot scale.
- Access to MTU's bioprocessing and pilot infrastructure.
- Close engagement with national and international research and industry partners.
- Strong positioning for future careers in bioeconomy research, scale-up and innovation leadership.
Requirements
Essential Criteria:
- PhD in bioprocess engineering, biochemical engineering, food or bioresource engineering, marine biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in bioprocess development or biomass processing.
- Strong experimental and analytical skills, with the ability to generate reproducible, high-quality data.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience with marine biomass, alternative crops or biorefinery systems.
- Exposure to pilot-scale processing or scale-up activities.
- Awareness of regulatory, techno-economic or sustainability considerations in bio-based systems.
- Interest in applied research with clear industrial and policy relevance.
Location
Tralee (Kerry Campus), Ireland.
Salary
€46,805 per year.
How to apply
All applications must be made online at www.mtu.ie/vacancies.
Informal enquiries only to Dr. Helena McMahon by email to helena.mcmahon@mtu.ie.
Deadline
24/02/2026.
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