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Context

BioEnTech is an innovative start-up of 12 people dedicated to bioprocess decision support systems. BioEnTech offers services to model, monitor, optimize and design bioprocesses, as well as software solutions for plant monitoring and remote-surveillance. In particular, BioEnTech is specialized in anaerobic digestion plant monitoring and has developed the MeMo solution that relies on an in-depth knowledge of anaerobic digestion process and the development of computation modules to monitor the process in real-time, to provide early detection of perturbations, and to propose actions to optimize process operation. BioEnTech also patented two analytical solutions for both bioprocess analyses and organic matter characterization. The latter system uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) applied on a complex matter.

In the joint research unit Information and Technologies for AgroProcesses (UMR ITAP IRSTEA Montpellier), COMIC team works on the development of optical systems and data analysis methodologies to characterize complex environments in the aim of optimizing agro-environmental processes. Through 20 years of research, COMIC team has acquired high recognition in numerical vision (classical and hyperspectral), image analysis, spectrometry and chemometrics applied to agro-processes.

The Laboratory of Biotechnology of Environment (LBE INRA Narbonne) works on the development of the biorefinery concept. This consists in processing human activities’ by-products (wastes, crop residues, effluents) and valorizing them into high value-added resources (bio-energies, bio-molecules, organic fertilizers). In particular, the LBE has a unique recognition in the modeling and instrumentation of anaerobic digestion processes.

BioEnTech is now extending the scope of its near-infrared spectroscopic characterization system to be able to characterize the fresh matter directly, without cumbersome freeze-drying and grinding steps. However, the presence of water in these wastes poses serious robustness issues in near-infrared spectroscopy. To overcome this, a research project has been initiated with two highly complementary academic partners: UMR ITAP (IRSTEA Montpellier) and LBE (INRA Narbonne).

In this context, we are looking for a smart collaborator to join the team and work together on this exciting development.

Missions

You will have the main following tasks:

• Get trained on the different NIRS technologies, and multivariate data analysis techniques (chemometrics/machine learning)
• Deploy a test-bed with different innovative NIRS systems (different spectroscopic technologies, measuring modes, light conversion systems) to scan a set of organic wastes
• Build quantitative calibration models using chemometrics; developments will be done in Python (with modules such as Scikit-Learn/Tensorflow).
• Compare performances of the different systems

 You will work in close collaboration with research experts from ITAP and LBE (Jean-Michel Roger, Ryad Bendoula, Eric Latrille, Jean-Philippe Steyer, Cyrille Charnier).

 You will have the opportunity to participate to the submission of this research to a peer-reviewed scientific journal for publication.

Your profile

You are graduating from an engineering school or master2 (agro/environment/new information and communication technologies/physics/optics).

Research activities motivate you, and you wish to invest yourself in an innovating start-up project with a high potential for development.

You have a good scientific background (physics/optics), good skills in scientific programming (ideally in chemometrics/machine learning), and interest in spectroscopy (ideally a previous experience).

More generally, you are organized and efficient in your work; and have good communication skills.

Contract characteristics

Time period: 6 months internship – starting from March-April 2020

Gratification: to be discussed

Location: ideally at Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l’Environnement (LBE) in Narbonne but could be organized at Irstea ITAP in Montpellier.

Application

To apply for this internship or get further information please contact:

Alexandre Mallet: email: alexandre.mallet (arobase) bioentech.eu, tel: +33 (0)6 26 42 03 45

Ryad Bendoula: email: ryad.bendoula (arobase) irstea.fr, tel: +33 (0)4 67 16 64 63