A Digital Engineering Approach to Accelerate Bioprocess Development for Cellular Agriculture

About the Project

The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath is inviting applications for the following fully-funded PhD project, expected to commence in September 2026.

This advert will close when a suitable candidate is identified. Early application is therefore encouraged.

Project Description

The agrifood system accounts for about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions [1], uses 70% of freshwater [2] and about 50% of arable land [3]. To limit global warming to no more than 1.5oC, the United Nations state that we need to reach net zero emissions by 2050 [4]. However, global meat, dairy and egg production is projected to increase further: by 17% over the next decade [5]. To avert the worst impacts of climate change, novel low emission food production systems are imperative. Cellular agriculture has emerged as an alternative protein source that can increase our food systems resilience and lower its environmental impact. To fulfil the positive impacts of this burgeoning industry, productive, scalable and cost-efficient processes are necessary to commercialise novel cellular agriculture products. Through greater predictive power and lower development costs, digital engineering and scale-down models have the potential to increase the speed to market, by reducing the process development lifecycle of cellular agriculture. Enabling a paradigm shift in our approach to bioprocess characterisation, optimisation and scale-up.

Project:A Digital Engineering Approach to Accelerate Bioprocess Development for Cellular Agriculture

Goal: Develop highly predictive digital twins and novel scale-down models for precision fermentation processes (e.g. a yeast strain producing oils/fats), that correlates the cellular experience to process performance.

This PhD project will combine fermenter digital twins with wet-lab fermentations, to generate insights that correlate cell performance with their simulated physiochemical environment. These insights will inform the development of bespoke scale-down models: enabling high-throughput methods for screening early microbial strain candidates.

Focus areas:

1. In Silico Models of Microbial Fermenters:The successful candidate will use computer-aided design (CAD) to translate existing fermenter equipment into digital models and employ computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to create predictive digital twins.
2. Bench-Scale Fermentations:The doctoral researcher will conduct bench-scale fermentations (using a range of operating modes), employing Design of Experiments (DoE) to determine the optimal operating environments for cell growth, productivity and product quality.
3. Novel Scale-Down Models:This will involve the design, fabrication and operation of bespoke scale-down cultivation systems that mimic the most pertinent physical and biochemical environments that impact the precision fermentation key performance indicators.

Applicant Requirements

We welcome applicants with a First-Class or 2:1 master’s level degree (MEng or MSc) in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a closely related discipline. We may also consider applicants who have a First-Class BSc/BEng (Hons) and can demonstrate significant relevant industry/research experience. Experience (or strong interest) in any of the following is highly valued:

• Microbial fermentation (e.g. yeast, E. coli) and/or cell cultivation
• Bioreactor operation and process control
• Computer-aided design and computational fluid dynamics
• Data analysis (Python/MATLAB)

Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.

Enquiries and Applications

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Akin Odeleye - aooo27@bath.ac.uk

Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemical Engineering.

You must select 'University of Bath LURS' from the dropdown menu in the 'Funding your studies' section of the application form and provide the supervisor's name and project title in the 'Your PhD project' section. Failure to complete these steps will result in a delay to the processing of your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

Project Keywords:Cellular Agriculture, Computer-Aided Design, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Digital Twins, Precision Fermentation

Funding Notes

Candidates may be considered for a University of Bath 'LURS' studentship. This funding covers tuition fees at the Home or Overseas rate, a stipend (£21,805 2026/27 rate) and a £1000/annum training support budget, for up to 3 years.