Research Assistant

The research project is embedded in the interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1743 "MY-CO BUILD: Biotechnological Manufacturing, Characterisation and Sustainability Assessment of Fungal-Based Building Materials". The objective of sub­project A08 is the development, analysis and application of mathematical models and control­theoretic methods for the description, prediction and targeted manipulation of biological and biotechnological production processes of fungal-based materials. This includes, the development and calibration (parameter identification) of dynamic (nonlinear) process models as well as the development of model-based state estimation (soft sensors) and control methods (NMPC).

The successful candidate will work on multiscale modelling, simulation and control of complex biological processes along the entire process chain from micro- to macro-scale. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with experimental SFB partners and includes the integration of data-driven and physics-based modelling approaches as well as the use of numerical simulations to support tailored material design. A particular focus lies on the model-based linkage of biological process variables (e.g. growth kinetics) with technological operating conditions and material properties, as well as on uncertainty descriptions of model and soft-sensor predictions.

Tasks include:

• Development, implementation and validation of dynamic (kinetic) models along the process chain, including observability/identifiability analysis
• Structure and parameter identification (e.g. maximum-likelihood) using data from in­house and external experiments
• Development and evaluation of nonlinear soft sensors (e.g. EKF/UKF) for online estimation of non-measurable process variables (including uncertainty quantification)
• Conceptual design and implementation of model predictive control and optimisation methods (e.g. NMPC) for process operation and reproducibility
• Close coordination with biotechnology/microbiology project partners (protocols, strains, analytics), joint interpretation of results and contributions to publications, presentations and project reports

About the SFB 1743 MY-CO BUILD
The Collaborative Research Centre "MY-CO BUILD: Biotechnological Manufacturing, Characterisation and Sustainability Assessment of Fungal-Based Building Materials" develops, through pioneering basic research using renewable raw materials from agriculture and forestry, a new class of fungal-based materials that are biologically produced and biodegradable. The research utilizes the potential of fungal biotechnology to lay the scientific foundation for defined manufacturing processes and reproducible material property profiles. The project systematically establishes a process chain that considers all biological and technological aspects at scales from nano to macro, enabling targeted material design.

The SFB combines, for the first time, multiple disciplines to study the biological, mechanical, physical, chemical, thermal, acoustic, and architectural property profiles of fungal-based materials depending on the genetic makeup of the fungal production organism, the characteristics of agricultural and forestry substrates, and the manufacturing and processing methods. To describe, understand, and predict multiscale interactions, new mathematical models supported by numerical simulations are developed, enabling tailored material design.

Beyond the fundamental understanding of the relationships between hierarchical structural elements and material properties, systematic stability and aging studies as well as AI-based sustainability predictions are implemented. These processes and methods aim to open new interdisciplinary pathways for the development and establishment of biogenic and sustainable materials, which were not previously possible.

• Successfully completed university degree (Diploma, Master's or equivalent) in control engineering, automation engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics or a comparable field
• Strong interest in mathematical modelling, simulation and analysis of dynamical systems (is desirable)
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary research environment involving biological and biotechnological processes (is desirable)
• Very good foundations in nonlinear system modelling and state estimations ( e.g. EKF/UKF)
• Interest in or experience with nonlinear control (NMPC)
• Willingness to engage in close technical communication with biotechnology and microbiology partners, including discussions on cultivation conditions, strains, analytics and results
• Strong programming practice ( e.g. Matlab and Python) and scientific working style
• Good English skills; Gerrnan skills or willingness to acquire them
• Experience with process analytical tools (PAT), in particular inline spectroscopy ( e.g. Raman) (is desirable)
• Experience with nonlinear optimisation (is desirable)
• Knowledge of sensitivity analysis and optimal experimental design (is desirable)
• Practical experience in a biotechnological environment (bioreactors and at-line analytics) (is desirable)
• Experience with data management (e.g. database, interfaces, ... ) (is desirable)

Please submit your application including the reference number with the usual
documents preferably as a single PDF file via e-mail to: ctrl-TB-sekretariat@win.tu-berlin.de.

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To ensure equal opportunities between women and men, applications by women with the required qualifications are explicitly desired. Qualified individuals with disabilities will be favored. The TU Berlin values the diversity of its members and is committed to the goals of equal opportunities. Applications from people of all nationalities and with a migrant background are welcome.