IAESTE Internships

Location

Belgium

Internship type

ON-SITE

Reference number

BE-2026-024-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

-

Work Details

Duration

25 - 52 Weeks

Within These Dates

01.10.2026 - 31.05.2027

Holidays

24.12.2026 - 31.12.2026

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 the 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 175 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 9: Zero-waste biorefinery in action: Microbial oil production from rapeseed meal sidestreamsAvailable from October 2026Project description:The BIOVALCOR project aims to demonstrate an integrated, zero-waste biorefinery concept using rapeseed meal (RSM), a major byproduct of rapeseed oil production, as a sustainable feedstock. The overall objective is to achieve full valorization of all RSM components, including proteins, hydroxycinnamic acids, carbohydrates, lignin, and lipids, thereby significantly increasing the economic and environmental sustainability of current rapeseed-based value chains.Within this framework, this internship focuses on the development and intensification of a flexible fermentation and downstream processing (DSP) platform for the production and recovery of microbial oils from RSM-derived side streams. Earlier identified high-performing microbial strains will be employed to convert these complex feedstocks into intracellular lipids, which can serve as renewable alternatives for oleochemical and biofuel applications. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable, scalable, and economically viable processing routes in line with Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles.The specific objectives of this internship position include:Fermentation Process Development: Optimize pretreatment strategies and fermentation conditions to maximize microbial growth, lipid accumulation, and productivity using RSM-derived substrates.Process Intensification: Develop and evaluate intensified fermentation strategies, targeting high intracellular lipid contents and productivities above under industrially relevant conditions.Sustainable DSP: Design and optimize green extraction methodologies for microbial oil recovery, focusing on wet biomass processing, solvent minimization, and solvent recycling to achieve high recovery yields.Techno-Economic Evaluation: Contribute to techno-economic assessments to identify cost drivers, guide optimization, and ensure industrial relevance.

Deadline

27.07.2026