Converting waste gases into sustainable protein

The production of sustainable protein is one of the major challenges of the coming decades. Global demand for protein is projected to increase significantly while conventional agriculture faces growing pressures from climate change, land use, and resource limitations.

This PhD project forms part of the international GAIA-PRO consortium, a collaboration between The University of Queensland (Australia) and the University of Tübingen (Germany). 

The project aims to transform waste-derived gases from wastewater treatment and organic waste processing into microbial protein suitable for animal feed and future food applications. Using innovative microbial and bioprocess engineering approaches, the project seeks to establish a near-zero-emission platform for recovering carbon from biogas and syngas streams. 

You will focus on developing and optimizing acetogenic and methanotrophic fermentation systems capable of converting carbon- and methane-rich waste gasses into high-value microbial biomass.

This multidisciplinary project sits at the interface of environmental biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, microbial ecology and circular bioeconomy research.

You will be based at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB) at UQ’s St Lucia campus, with access to facilities for microbial cultivation, gas fermentation, bioreactor operation, microbial characterisation and process monitoring.

The project is supported by complementary expertise in gas analysis, molecular biology, microbial ecology, flow cytometry, microscopy, sequencing, and bioinformatics.

The UQ research environment will be strengthened through collaboration with the University of Tübingen and industry partners, giving you exposure to international expertise in gas fermentation and sustainable protein production from waste-derived gases.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of microbial biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, or gas fermentation would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of environmental engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, or a closely related discipline and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of microbial cultivation, bioreactor operation, gas–liquid mass transfer, molecular biology, or microbial ecology is highly desirable.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 20 September, 2026 20 September, 2026.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Dr Bernardino Virdis (b.virdis@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the ‘Scholarship/Sponsorship’ section with the following details:

1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
2. Project: 'Research project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: PROTEIN-VIRDIS
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/converting-waste-gases-sustainable-protein

Submit an EOI