Postdoctoral Research Opportunity : Extraction and purification of anti-oxidant and anti-microbial molecules from waste plants residues

About this position

Project : PLAMINPACK (PRIMA Project)

Duration : 24 Months

Starting date: 01/10/2024

Location: URD ABI-AgroParisTech, CEBB, 3 rue des Rouges Terres 51110 Pomacle, France

Presentation of URD ABI

URD ABI - AgroParisTech, located within the Pomacle-Bazancourt biorefinery, is a research and development unit dedicated to the valorization of agroresources and biorefinery byproducts. With expertise in white biotechnologies, green chemistry, and process engineering, the team works on multi-disciplinary research projects aiming at developing new industrial processes. These processes integrate the transformation of agricultural byproducts into high-value chemicals, including polymers and materials, fine chemicals, functional additives, and cosmetic ingredients.

Presentation of the PLAMINPACK Project

The PLAMINPACK project aims to develop easily scalable bio-based packaging materials and methodologies, including nets, films, trays, and coatings made from home-compostable and antimicrobial plant sources, to reduce food loss, particularly of highly perishable items, and replace fossil-based packaging currently found in supermarkets and shops. This new packaging concept will be integrated into the circular management of farms, using specific digital tools to ensure all biomass waste is reused to produce food, packaging, feed, or amendments. The project also focuses on the stability, recyclability, and environmental impact of the new packaging materials, promoting local business growth, job creation, and biodiversity protection while securing food systems.

Objective

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on the extraction and purification of antioxidant and antimicrobial molecules from waste plant residues, specifically from tangerine, date, and strawberry. The aim is to develop green, easily scalable methodologies to obtain valuable bioactive compounds which will be incorporated into the creation of innovative, active bio-based packaging materials with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and conduct extraction and purification processes of antioxidant and antimicrobial molecules from selected plant residues.
• Optimize the extraction and purification parameters.
• Characterize the extracted bioactive compounds with regards to their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
• Transform the solid residues into micrometric powders for subsequent use in packaging materials.
• Collaborate with other project partners to integrate extracted compounds into biopolymer matrices and validate their effectiveness in packaging applications.

Qualifications :

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience in extraction and purification techniques for bioactive compounds from plant materials.
• Strong background in analytical methods for characterizing antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
• Knowledge of green chemistry principles, eco-extraction and sustainable processing methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication skills in English and the ability to contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Application Process:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV, a cover letter detailing their research experience and motivation for joining the PLAMINPACK project, and contact information for two references. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to Dr Morad Chadni ( morad.chadni@agroparistech.fr ) and Prof Florent Allais ( florent.allais@agroparistech.fr ).