Accepting PhD Students

Personal profile

Overview

Research in the Winterburn Group is centred on improving manufacturing efficiency of bio-based products through the development and application of innovative biochemical engineering approaches. We have recognised strengths in the areas of biosurfactant and biopolymer production, encompassing biomass feedstock pretreatment, fermentation process engineering, downstream separations, analytics, engineering biology approaches and end-use applications, aiming to engineer novel, robust fermentation and separation processes that valorise by-products and side streams.Our research is supported by funding from EPSRC, BBSRC, Innovate UK and industry partners.

I welcome opportunities for collaboration in areas related to biochemical engineering, fermentation process development, sustainable manufacturing, and scale up. Feel free to connect via LinkedIn (profile link above) or reach me via [email protected]. See the Winterburn Research Group video for further information.

Biography

James joined the Department of Chemical Engineering and as a Lecturer in 2013, was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2018 and to Reader in 2021. His current research interests are focused around industrial biotechnology, fermentation processes and the efficient production and separation of bio-based products, including biosurfactants and biopolymers. James is the Academic Lead for Business Engagement and Innovation for the School of Engineering and Programme Director for the MEng with Industrial Experience degree. James is a Co-founder of Holfierm Limited, spun-out from his research group in 2018. Holiferm have sucessfully commercialised biosurfactant production technology and manufacture sophorolipid biosurfactants at ktonne scale. Prior to his Lectureship James worked as a Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Multiphase Processing Group on an EPSRC funded Challenging Engineering Project.

James obtained a PhD in the area of biosurfactant production and separation from The University of Manchester in 2011, supervised by Dr Peter Martin and funded by EPSRC and Unilever, following which he was awarded a six month EPSRC Doctoral Prize. He graduated with a 1st Class MEng in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford in 2007. 

Opportunities

We are always open to hearing from academically excellent, enthusiastic PhD applicants to undertake research broadly in the area of industrial biotechnology. Further information about the Winterburn Group is available via the Winterburn Research Group video.
 
 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water

External positions

External Examiner UCL Biochemical Engineering (MSc, MRes, EngD), University College London (UCL)

Nov 2021 → …

Chair Biochemical Engineering Special Interest Group, Institution of Chemical Engineering

Jul 2018Jul 2023

Co-Founder and Technical Director, Holiferm Limited

1 May 2018 → …

Associate Editor, Biochemical Engineering Journal

Jul 2017 → …

Vice-Chair Biochemical Engineering Special Interest Group, Institute of Chemical Engineers

Jul 2016Jul 2018

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Biotechnology

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