Training the new generation of industrial doctorates in the transition towards bio-based value circles

ended

BioBased ValueCircle offers a unique interdisciplinary research and training environment tailored for early stage researchers (ESRs) excited by the development of innovative bio-based products, respecting the principles of the circular economy. New materials are urgently needed to enable a transition from an oil-based to a bio-based economy, thus reducing pollution and the threat of climate change. The programme brings together cutting edge research and development spanning the bio-based materials value circle, involving companies (including SMEs) and academic institutes from across Europe. The objective is to train ESRs in a set of 12 interlinked doctoral projects that cover the conversion of biomass to materials, the development of materials into applications, the environmental and economic impact of bio-based materials, and the societal changes required to transition Europe from an oil-based to a circular bio-based economy. Together the ESRs will contribute to the development of a common language and methodology to stimulate cooperation along the value circle and speed up the product development process. The stimulating research projects will be co-supervised by the industry and academic participants to provide each ESR with valuable insight into the industry and academic research environments, and will be paired with a range of inspiring training modules that reflect the unique interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial environment created by BioBased ValueCircle, including training relevant to the bio-based industries and to academic, industrial and transferrable skills. This ensures that we address the values of the European Industrial Doctorates Programme by producing a new generation of researchers who will benefit from cross-cutting skills that allow them to thrive in both industry and academia, leading to more cooperation between these sectors and enhancing the competitiveness of Europe.