Process and Life Science Engineering

The Department of Process and Applied Biosciences was established in January 2024 through the merger of the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Food Technology. Welcome to a department that addresses a broad spectrum of research questions, offers education that is highly sought after by the labour market, and operates in an international collaborative environment. Many of our researchers and teachers work at the global forefront of chemical engineering, food engineering, and pharmaceutical formulation. We have advanced research infrastructure and run several projects in close collaboration with industry. A shared driving force is the curiosity that leads to technological innovations and scientific breakthroughs. Our students are the problem-solvers of the future—here, the foundation is laid for a professional career offering a wide range of opportunities.

Our research spans a wide variety of fields which together form a holistic approach to promoting technological progress while taking into account the environment, human health, and societal needs. By focusing on processes, products, people, and the environment, we aim to create a positive impact on multiple levels. Our goal is sustainable and innovative research that addresses both current and future challenges. The department contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
2 Zero Hunger, 3 Good Health and Well-Being, 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, 7 Affordable and Clean Energy, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 Climate Action.

Chemical engineering concerns the analysis and design of chemical processes. This expertise is required across most industrial sectors and product areas, not least to address pressing environmental and energy-related challenges.

The division employs approximately 65 people. Teaching is primarily conducted within the Master of Science in Engineering programmes in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Ecosystem Engineering, and Civil Engineering (Road and Water Engineering).

The research has a broad field of application within chemical engineering and biotechnological processes. Our research areas include:

Advanced process engineering for resource-efficient production

In product manufacturing, the goal is to make optimal use of raw materials, energy, and equipment in order to achieve the desired product quality and production rate. This is a complex task.

Advanced process engineering involves first developing a reliable mathematical model of the process, which is then used to evaluate different production strategies (with the aid of computer simulations) in order to determine the optimal approach.

The researchers focus in particular on downstream processing for biopharmaceuticals, aiming to develop production methods that robustly meet purification requirements while simultaneously identifying optimal operating conditions. Ongoing research is directed towards integrated continuous downstream processes, their supporting systems, as well as automation and control systems. The primary areas of study include the production of peptides for diabetes treatment, antibodies for cancer therapy, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals for gene therapy.