IAESTE Internships

Location

Belgium

Internship type

ON-SITE

Reference number

BE-2026-001-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

01.04.2026 - 31.12.2026

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 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 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 1 - Capturing biogenic CO₂ into biobased intermediates through gas fermentationAvailable from April 2026Project description:Due to its adverse effects on our climate, the accumulation of CO2 in our atmosphere is and remains a serious challenge. Yet, where CO2 was previously considered a burden, it is now seen as a possible green resource for the synthesis of chemical intermediates and added-value compounds. This concept is known as carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) and can help to reduce CO2 emissions across industries. Industrial CO2 can be abiogenic, when it comes from fossil carbon, or biogenic, in case it originates from a natural resource. Because CO2 has a rather low energy, other energy sources are required for the organism, which come in the form of CO and/or H2.  This project will focus on producing acetic acid via gas fermentation on syngas or H2/CO2, using biogenic CO2. It will involve fundamental research to understand the workings of the organisms and the process. Based on this research, the process will be scaled to 1 L in four parallel gas fermenters at Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant. The process will be further intensified by means of cell recycle and the use of elevated pressures, aiming to improve the acetic acid productivity. As a final part, the downstream processing of acetic acid will be investigated to ensure that the stream can be used as a valuable carbon source for other liquid fermentation processes.  This project is framed within the EU-funded projects CAPTUS and FUELPHORIA, which focus on the transformation of biogenic CO2 into biochemicals and fuels in a truly renewable manner. You will get the opportunity to perform important fundamental research in the gas fermentation field and see how your research evolves into a process using state-of-the-art gas fermentation equipment in an industrial environment, with the final aim of developing an industrially relevant gas fermentation process.

Deadline

27.04.2026