IAESTE Internships

Location

Belgium

Internship type

ON-SITE

Reference number

BE-2026-006-UGE

Students Requirements

General discipline

Biotechnology

Completed Years of Study

4

Fields of Study

Languages

English Excellent (C1, C2)

Required Knowledge and Experience

-

Other Requirements

If trainee does not have EEA or Swiss nationality, stay is limited to 90 days.

Work Details

Duration

25 - 52 Weeks

Within These Dates

01.08.2026 - 31.07.2027

Holidays

20.07.2026 - 24.07.2026

Work Environment

-

Gross pay

300 EUR / month

Working Hours

40.0 per week / 5.0 per day

Living Lodging

Type of Accommoditation

Trainee with the help of LC.

Cost of lodging

150 EUR / month

Cost of living

300 EUR / month

Work Offered

Additional Info

Only candidates with EU citizenship (EEA or Swiss) (or dual EU nationality) are eligible, as the internship duration exceeds 90 days under Belgian visa regulations. Unfortunately, applications for shorter durations (up to 90 days) cannot be considered.

Work description

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant was established in 2008 and currently has more than 165 employees.We work in a unique, open innovation pilot and demonstration facility for process development, scaling up and (trial) production of bio-based products and processes, from laboratory to multi-ton scale.We combine a wide and flexible range of modular unit operations with a team of highly qualified and experienced bio-process engineers and technicians to translate laboratory-scale bio-based processes into cost-effective industrial processes. Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant wants to be the workplace where all employees can grow and use their full potential. We offer a pleasant atmosphere, value and reward initiative, hard work and commitment.********TOPIC 7 - Development and scale-up of the fermentation and downstream processing to produce protein nanofibrils, a precursor for sustainable textile materialsAvailable from August 2026Project description:A novel class of protein nanofibrils was discovered, showing promising properties regarding chemical and tensile durability. These nanofibrils are produced in bacterial fermentations, and protein engineering enables the introduction of new functionalities. They can be further processed to obtain an engineerable textile material, called “sporesilk”. Apart from a completely new type of textile material, this offers a more sustainable alternative to fossil-based textile materials used today.In framework of the Flemish HiPProFib project, the objective is to develop an industrially relevant fermentation process where these nanofibrils are produced in a cost-efficient manner. Within this project, different fermentation parameters, medium compositions, feed rate strategies, and the use of second-generation feedstocks will be investigated. Following the production process, product purification is key. The first steps towards a challenging product purification will be investigated within this internship. The aim is to achieve effective purification using sustainable processing strategies and without compromising their intrinsic characteristics.

Deadline

26.06.2026