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Biological patterns and biocommunication in insect rearing for urban food waste management
Biological patterns and biocommunication in insect rearing for urban food waste management-Internship at the Singapore ETH Centre
**About us**
The Sustainable Food Processing Group investigates alternative protein production to target fundamental challenges in food science and society including food waste management and sustainable production of feed and fertilizers for local food production.
**Project background**
As part of a 3-year research project funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore, we are working together with NUS, NTU and private partners on food waste recycling with larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) in the urban environment (see details here and here). The larvae can feed on a wide variety of organic side-streams. The resulting larval biomass is a valuable protein feed and the remaining residue a valuable fertilizer. We focus on tailoring the insect-based bioconversion process to the space-limited urban environment. The key challenge of the process is variability due to the compositional heterogeneity between batches of food waste that is given to the larvae. To meet this challenge an understanding of underlying fundamental biological processes is crucial.
**Tasks**
Design, set up and analysis of experiments within the frame of our established rearing platform. This includes: the integration of volatile compound sensors and environmental control devices into the setup. The execution of experiments on food waste bioconversion with insect larvae. Data analysis, literature research and biological concept development.
**Project duration**
6 months, starting as soon as possible, e.g. April 2024 – sooner for holders of Singapore employment pass. The student is expected to work fulltime in Singapore.
**Your skillset**
You have profound experience in working with biological systems and a special focus on biocommunication, entomology and/or microbiology. Excellent organizational skills, creativity, flexibility, good communication and writing skills, good English proficiency, reliability, competence in working independently as well as in a team. Technical skills and experience with respect to sensor setups is a plus.
**What we offer**
You will be working with one of the leading research teams globally on black soldier fly larvae bioconversion and on solutions to reduce the environmental impact of food production while providing save waste management that safeguards environmental and public health. You will be provided with a unique research set up with state-of-the art research equipment. Overall, this internship in Singapore, a global hub for ecological city development and the use of insects as food and feed, offers unique opportunities for learning, scientific discovery, personal development and subsequent career steps. Living expenses will be supported with a monthly stipend. If required, our HR department will support with visa application.
**About us** The Sustainable Food Processing Group investigates alternative protein production to target fundamental challenges in food science and society including food waste management and sustainable production of feed and fertilizers for local food production.
**Project background** As part of a 3-year research project funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore, we are working together with NUS, NTU and private partners on food waste recycling with larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) in the urban environment (see details here and here). The larvae can feed on a wide variety of organic side-streams. The resulting larval biomass is a valuable protein feed and the remaining residue a valuable fertilizer. We focus on tailoring the insect-based bioconversion process to the space-limited urban environment. The key challenge of the process is variability due to the compositional heterogeneity between batches of food waste that is given to the larvae. To meet this challenge an understanding of underlying fundamental biological processes is crucial.
**Tasks** Design, set up and analysis of experiments within the frame of our established rearing platform. This includes: the integration of volatile compound sensors and environmental control devices into the setup. The execution of experiments on food waste bioconversion with insect larvae. Data analysis, literature research and biological concept development.
**Project duration** 6 months, starting as soon as possible, e.g. April 2024 – sooner for holders of Singapore employment pass. The student is expected to work fulltime in Singapore.
**Your skillset** You have profound experience in working with biological systems and a special focus on biocommunication, entomology and/or microbiology. Excellent organizational skills, creativity, flexibility, good communication and writing skills, good English proficiency, reliability, competence in working independently as well as in a team. Technical skills and experience with respect to sensor setups is a plus.
**What we offer** You will be working with one of the leading research teams globally on black soldier fly larvae bioconversion and on solutions to reduce the environmental impact of food production while providing save waste management that safeguards environmental and public health. You will be provided with a unique research set up with state-of-the art research equipment. Overall, this internship in Singapore, a global hub for ecological city development and the use of insects as food and feed, offers unique opportunities for learning, scientific discovery, personal development and subsequent career steps. Living expenses will be supported with a monthly stipend. If required, our HR department will support with visa application.
Our established rearing platform mimics industrial scale bioconversion of organic substrates with insect larvae and microbes. The flexible sensor equipped setup provides the opportunity to investigate the involved biological processes on different levels in detail. We are able to track e.g. temperature, relative, humidity, gaseous emissions and air exchange with high temporal resolution. By putting these variables into the context of biological performance parameters we are gaining valuable insights for further understanding of the process. This work will focus especially on the understudied roles of (1.) volatile compounds and (2.) substrate temperature in a system that is characterized by biological, physical and chemical interactions.
Our established rearing platform mimics industrial scale bioconversion of organic substrates with insect larvae and microbes. The flexible sensor equipped setup provides the opportunity to investigate the involved biological processes on different levels in detail. We are able to track e.g. temperature, relative, humidity, gaseous emissions and air exchange with high temporal resolution. By putting these variables into the context of biological performance parameters we are gaining valuable insights for further understanding of the process. This work will focus especially on the understudied roles of (1.) volatile compounds and (2.) substrate temperature in a system that is characterized by biological, physical and chemical interactions.
**Please note that the internship takes place in Singapore at Singapore-ETH Centre**
Contact us with CV, matriculation confirmation, and transcript of records.
Adrian FUHRMANN, adrian.fuhrmann@sec.ethz.ch
**Please note that the internship takes place in Singapore at Singapore-ETH Centre** Contact us with CV, matriculation confirmation, and transcript of records. Adrian FUHRMANN, adrian.fuhrmann@sec.ethz.ch