Background:
Byohm, the trading name for Wastewater Fuels Ltd, is a UK-based clean technology company pioneering next-generation wastewater treatment and renewable energy systems. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Coventry, West Midlands, we develop bio-electrochemical systems (BES) that convert wastewater into treated water and renewable fuels.
Driven by a mission to revolutionise wastewater treatment through low-energy, sustainable technologies, we aim to recover energy and protect natural resources. Our vision is to create a world where every drop of wastewater and organic waste contributes to a circular, decarbonised economy — transforming what was once waste into a valuable source of clean energy and environmental resilience.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Microbiologist / Biologist to join our R&D team. You will investigate the microbial biofilms responsible for electricity generation and wastewater treatment, developing methods to monitor, quantify and optimise microbial performance.
Working closely with engineers, chemists and electrochemists, you will design and execute experiments to better understand microbial community dynamics, biofilm formation, biofilm stability and biomass shedding, translating biological findings into improvements in reactor performance.
This role would suit someone who enjoys developing new laboratory methods, solving complex biological problems and applying microbiology to real-world engineering challenges.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, plan, and execute laboratory experiments focused on environmental microbiology and bioelectrochemical systems, ensuring adherence to scientific protocols and safety standards.
- Cultivate and maintain microbial cultures using aseptic techniques, ensuring sample integrity and reproducibility of results.
- Utilize microscopy and other analytical tools to characterize microbial communities and bioelectrochemical processes at cellular and molecular levels.
- Develop and optimize bioreactor systems for microbial electrochemical applications, monitoring performance metrics continuously.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret complex data sets; prepare detailed reports and scientific publications to communicate findings effectively.
- Maintain meticulous laboratory records using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to ensure data integrity and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate research insights into scalable technologies aligned with environmental sustainability goals.
Experience
- Characterise microbial biofilms within bioelectrochemical systems using molecular and microbiological techniques.
- Investigate microbial community composition, abundance and dynamics using DNA-based methods including qPCR and sequencing.
- Develop and optimise methods for monitoring biofilm growth, activity and biomass shedding.
- Design experiments to understand factors affecting biofilm formation, stability and electrochemical performance.
- Monitor bacterial and archaeal populations associated with reactor operation.
- Develop protocols for microbial sampling, DNA extraction and downstream molecular analysis.
- Interpret biological data alongside electrochemical and process performance data.
- Work collaboratively with engineers to improve reactor performance through biological understanding.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and contribute to technical reports and presentations.
- Keep up to date with current scientific literature and identify new techniques that could enhance our biological capabilities.
Essential Requrements:
Applicants must have:
- Master’s Degree (or higher) in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioelectrochemistry or a related biological discipline.
- Experience working with microbial cultures or environmental microbial communities.
- Strong molecular biology skills including DNA extraction, PCR and qPCR.
- Experience designing and conducting laboratory experiments.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret biological datasets.
- Excellent laboratory documentation and organisational skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating within a multidisciplinary team.
Desirable Skills and Experience:
The following skills would be advantageous:
- Anaerobic microbiology.
- Environmental or wastewater microbiology.
- Biofilm research.
- Primer design and qPCR assay development.
- Fluorescence microscopy or confocal microscopy.
- Flow cytometry or cell counting techniques.
- Knowledge of methanogens, electrogenic bacteria or anaerobic digestion.
- Experience working with bioelectrochemical systems, microbial fuel cells or microbial electrolysis cells.
Personal Attributes:
We are looking for someone who is:
- Curious and scientifically driven.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D environment.
- Happy developing new experimental methods where no standard protocol exists.
- Collaborative across biology, chemistry and engineering disciplines.
- Excited by solving practical challenges through innovative science.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary (£26k to £36k pa, subject to experience)
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Minimum qualification: Master’s degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Biotechnology or a related biological discipline.
Education:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Pay: £26,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
Education:
Experience:
- Molecular biology skills : 1 year (required)
- Designing and conducting laboratory experiments: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
