Master’s thesis in Grenada: Temporal variation in Sargassum and digestate quality

Would you like to combine fieldwork in the Caribbean with research on nutrient recovery and biofertilizer development? AlgaeFuel Sweden AB is looking for master’s students for thesis projects during spring 2027, with fieldwork in Grenada. Bachelor’s thesis projects may also be considered for suitable candidates. AlgaeFuel develops processes that convert Sargassum seaweed and other organic materials into biogas and potential fertilizer products. By using this biomass, we aim to help address a major environmental challenge in the Caribbean while producing renewable energy and recovering nutrients for agriculture. Background and purpose: Since 2018, we have worked on developing solutions to utilize the large volumes of Sargassum washing ashore in the Caribbean. At our pilot facility in Grenada, we investigate how the seaweed can be combined with other organic materials to produce biogas and biofertilizer. Since 2022, we have hosted and supervised students undertaking 13 thesis projects, contributing to the development and evaluation of the technology. Through our local company SarGas, we are now in the final stages of the permitting process in Grenada ahead of constructing a large-scale facility. Further research is important to improve the processes and strengthen the evidence supporting the use of digestate as fertilizer. A master’s thesis will be executed during the fall 2026 will investigate nutrients, arsenic and selected metals in offshore- and shore-collected Sargassum, as well as in the solid and liquid digestate fractions. We are now looking for students to build on this work during spring 2027. Through continued sampling and analysis, we want to better understand how composition varies over time and how this affects the potential use of digestate as biofertilizer. Possible research questions: The project’s focus will be developed with the student and academic supervisor. Examples include: · How do nutrient, arsenic and selected heavy metal concentrations in Sargassum and digestate vary between sampling periods? · What differences can be observed between offshore- and shore-collected seaweed? · How are nutrients and undesirable elements distributed between the solid and liquid digestate fractions? · How can Sargassum be treated to reduce arsenic and heavy metal content while preserving valuable nutrients and its suitability for biogas production? A particularly relevant extension is to compare treatment methods and assess their practical feasibility for SarGas in Grenada. This could include washing or other pretreatments, considering effectiveness, cost, water and energy requirements, available equipment and management of residual streams. The final scope will be defined during project planning. Execution and candidate profile: The work may combine field sampling, practical experiments, laboratory analysis and statistical evaluation. Methods and documentation will be coordinated with the preceding thesis to support comparisons over time. The analytical program and laboratory access will be confirmed during planning. We are looking for students in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, sustainable energy engineering or a related field. Laboratory experience and quantitative analysis skills are desirable. You should enjoy independent work and be interested in translating scientific findings into practical solutions. Willingness to travel to Grenada for fieldwork is essential. Scope and application: We primarily seek students for master thesis projects during spring 2027. Projects of 15 HP may also be discussed. The start date and fieldwork period will be agreed individually, and several complementary thesis projects may be developed. Travel, accommodation and funding arrangements will be discussed before the project begins. Please send your CV and a short statement of interest to Erik Östling, CTO, erik@algaefuel.se. Applications and interviews will be handled on a rolling basis. Extent: 30 hp. Application email: erik@algaefuel.se.