CONTRACTUAL BIODYE TECHNICIAN (M/F)

The Université de technologie de Compiègne is recruiting a contractual technician for a mission within the framework of the Biochromyl project, within the département de génie des procédés industriels (GPI) - "transformations intégrées de la matière renouvelable" laboratory (TIMR UTC - ESCOM). The Biochromyl project (Biocolorants de Yarrowia lipolytica) deals with the production and scale-up of dyes by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica (project summary below). This recruitment is supported by funding from Sorbonne Université.

Missions The assigned missions consist of producing dyes in 5 L and 40 L bioreactors and then extracting them, and potentially purifying them.

Main activities Production of dyes by fermentation of Y. lipolytica using industrial by-products; Extracting the dye(s) using green solvents; Purifying the dyes, if necessary; Contributing to data collection and analysis; Participating in various meetings and preparing minutes; Presenting project results.

Scientific context / project summary The majority of industrial dyes today come from petrochemistry. Furthermore, dyes of natural origin are also used, but they remain rare and expensive. The Biochromyl project explores a completely different path: producing dyes from microorganisms, such as yeasts, through a sustainable fermentation process, using renewable resources and aiming to reduce the carbon footprint associated with fossil fuels. This project aims to produce colored molecules from the violacein synthesis pathway using industrial by-products. The goal is also to reduce production costs to make them more competitive on the market. In addition to their coloring properties, molecules from the violacein synthesis pathway exhibit very interesting biological properties (e.g., antibiotics, antioxidants, etc.), thus potentially having many applications, particularly in the textile sector.

Additional information Application dates From 31/07/2026 to 31/08/2026

Type of contract and provisional recruitment period Fixed-term contract until 31/10/2027 - to start in September 2026

Travel may take place as part of the project.

Knowledge Methodology for handling microorganisms (fermentation); Processes for extracting intra-cellular molecules from microbial biomass; Unit operations (pressing, membrane filtration) (desired); Chromatographic techniques (notably HPLC and TLC) (desired); Project management methodology Written and oral expression and presentation techniques English language: B1 to B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

Operational skills Handling microorganisms and bioreactors (yeasts); Handling intracellular molecule extraction processes; Managing a project Working in a team

Behavioral skills Adaptability Organizational skills Listening skills and interpersonal ease.