Company: ChainCraft

About the job

At ChainCraft, we are turning chemistry circular. We develop sustainable
biotechnological processes that convert food waste into valuable bio-based fatty acids. We are developing state-of-the-art models to leverage our R&D activities. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate eager to develop a bioinformatics workflow to quantify microbiome enrichment and link genetic data to reactor performance.

Internship Bioinformatics Empirical Data & Modelling.
We are offering an exciting R&D internship focused on establishing a cutting-edge bioinformatics workflow to decode the complex microbiome dynamics within our bioreactors. Using metagenomics, we will quantify relative abundance enrichment during different reactor conditions and perform in-depth genetic research on pathway enrichment.

During the internship, you will:

  • Design & set up an algorithmic pipeline that processes metagenomic FASTA data, sorting sequences to quantify relative abundance while visualizing specific pathway enrichments (e.g., reverse beta-oxidation, Wood-Ljungdahl).
  • Integrate relative abundance data with reactor biomass and conversion metrics to derive observed growth rates and populate an internal database.
  • Couple this algorithm to our Microbial Transition State (MTS) framework to backcalculate maximum growth and substrate uptake rates based on thermodynamic conditions.

Requirements

  • A fresh look and assertiveness in developing this modeling tool
  • MSc/HBO Biotechnology, (Bio)Chemistry, Life Sciences or similar
  • Modeling know-how (e.g. kinetics, thermodynamics, transport phenomena)
  • Experience with python is required
  • Creative problem solving
  • Minimum availability of 5 months (40h/week)

What describes you?

  • Eager to contribute to a sustainable and circular future
  • Pro-active and willing to make true impact
  • Willing to work in a young and dynamic work environment
  • Eager to perform research in an industrious environment

The candidate

  • Setting up a research plan to (further) develop a state-of-the-art model that predicts open culture microbiome enrichment.
  • Develop and tests new code to extend the existing model
  • Perform open-culture bioreactor simulations and perform comparative research on model results and experimental data (both from literature and internal research).
  • Use established modeling methods.
  • Contribute to a scientific manuscript and become a co-author.
  • Join and provide input to the R&D team activities and projects.

What we offer

At ChainCraft, you contribute to a better world by making sustainable innovation a reality. We offer a stimulating and informal environment with an international team that shares a mission to replace fossil and palm-based chemicals with circular alternatives. Within ChainCraft, you can join an enthusiastic and young team with weekly free lunches, monthly drinks as well as activities for our employees and interns. Furthermore, internship compensation of €450 per month is available.

Experience level: Junior

How to apply: send your CV and motivation to internships@chaincraft.com