Associate Professor Paul Jensen
Associate Professor

Paul Jensen

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 69973

Background

Paul Jensen is a research leader in the areas of anaerobic biotechnology and resource recovery at ACWEB; and leads projects in the areas of waste treatment with a focus on recovery of renewable energy resources, production of bio-fertilizers, bio-plastics and other high value products from wastes and other low value raw materials.

Complex challenges require multi-disciplinary thinking and Paul’s team incorporates engineering, biological sciences, modelling and information processing approaches to research and technology development for a range of partners across municipal, agricultural, animal and industrial sectors.

Paul and ACWEB are recognised as both national and global experts on biogas and resource recovery technologies. They actively contributes to over 12 research and consulting projects per year with applications across the product development cycle. Importantly, the team are having real world impact, and have contributed to a range of major wastewater infrastructure projects in the last 5 years.

Availability

Associate Professor Paul Jensen is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Engineering Environmental biotechnology Environmental engineering

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Anaerobic digestion and co-digestion

  • Industrial and Agri-industrial wastewater treatment

  • Energy and resource recovery from waste

  • Characterisation of waste streams and energy potential

  • Bio-reactor design and operation

  • Genome driven process design

  • Pilot Plant and Demonstration facilities

  • Microbial Activity and Inhibition

Search Professor Paul Jensen’s works on UQ eSpace

94 works between 2004 and 2025
All (94) Journal Article (65) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (23) Book (1) Other Outputs (2)

21 - 40 of 94 works

2019

Journal Article

Successful strategies for increasing energy self-sufficiency at Grüneck wastewater treatment plant in Germany by food waste co-digestion and improved aeration

Macintosh, C., Astals, S., Sembera, C., Ertl, A., Drewes, J. E., Jensen, P. D. and Koch, K. (2019). Successful strategies for increasing energy self-sufficiency at Grüneck wastewater treatment plant in Germany by food waste co-digestion and improved aeration. Applied Energy, 242, 797-808. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.03.126

Successful strategies for increasing energy self-sufficiency at Grüneck wastewater treatment plant in Germany by food waste co-digestion and improved aeration

2018

Journal Article

Characterising and modelling free ammonia and ammonium inhibition in anaerobic systems

Astals, S., Peces, M., Batstone, D. J., Jensen, P. D. and Tait, S. (2018). Characterising and modelling free ammonia and ammonium inhibition in anaerobic systems. Water Research, 143, 127-135. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.06.021

Characterising and modelling free ammonia and ammonium inhibition in anaerobic systems

2018

Journal Article

Humic acid inhibition of hydrolysis and methanogenesis with different anaerobic inocula

Yap, S. D., Astals, S., Lu, Y., Peces, M., Jensen, P. D., Batstone, D. J. and Tait, S. (2018). Humic acid inhibition of hydrolysis and methanogenesis with different anaerobic inocula. Waste Management, 80, 130-136. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.09.001

Humic acid inhibition of hydrolysis and methanogenesis with different anaerobic inocula

2018

Journal Article

Relationship between microbial community, operational factors and ammonia inhibition resilience in anaerobic digesters at low and moderate ammonia background concentrations

Lu, Y., Liaquat, R., Astals, S., Jensen, P. D., Batstone, D. J. and Tait, S. (2018). Relationship between microbial community, operational factors and ammonia inhibition resilience in anaerobic digesters at low and moderate ammonia background concentrations. New Biotechnology, 44, 23-30. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2018.02.013

Relationship between microbial community, operational factors and ammonia inhibition resilience in anaerobic digesters at low and moderate ammonia background concentrations

2018

Journal Article

Deterministic mechanisms define the long-term anaerobic digestion microbiome and its functionality regardless of the initial microbial community

Peces, M., Astals, S., Jensen, P. D. and Clarke, W. P. (2018). Deterministic mechanisms define the long-term anaerobic digestion microbiome and its functionality regardless of the initial microbial community. Water Research, 141, 366-376. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.028

Deterministic mechanisms define the long-term anaerobic digestion microbiome and its functionality regardless of the initial microbial community

2018

Journal Article

Biogas production coupled to repeat microalgae cultivation using a closed nutrient loop

González-González, Lina María, Zhou, Lihong, Astals, Sergi, Thomas-Hall, Skye R., Eltanahy, Eladl, Pratt, Steven, Jensen, Paul D. and Schenk, Peer M. (2018). Biogas production coupled to repeat microalgae cultivation using a closed nutrient loop. Bioresource Technology, 263, 625-630. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.05.039

Biogas production coupled to repeat microalgae cultivation using a closed nutrient loop

2017

Journal Article

Integrated biodiesel and biogas production from microalgae: Towards a sustainable closed loop through nutrient recycling

González-González, Lina María, Correa, Diego F., Ryan, Stephen, Jensen, Paul D., Pratt, Steven and Schenk, Peer M. (2017). Integrated biodiesel and biogas production from microalgae: Towards a sustainable closed loop through nutrient recycling. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 1137-1148. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.09.091

Integrated biodiesel and biogas production from microalgae: Towards a sustainable closed loop through nutrient recycling

2017

Journal Article

Indigenous microbial capability in solid manure residues to start-up solid-phase anaerobic digesters

Yap, S. D., Astals, S., Jensen, P. D., Batstone, D. J. and Tait, S. (2017). Indigenous microbial capability in solid manure residues to start-up solid-phase anaerobic digesters. Waste Management, 64, 79-87. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.02.031

Indigenous microbial capability in solid manure residues to start-up solid-phase anaerobic digesters

2016

Journal Article

Methylotrophic methanogenesis discovered in the archaeal phylum Verstraetearchaeota

Vanwonterghem, Inka, Evans, Paul N., Parks, Donovan H., Jensen, Paul D., Woodcroft, Ben J., Hugenholtz, Philip and Tyson, Gene W. (2016). Methylotrophic methanogenesis discovered in the archaeal phylum Verstraetearchaeota. Nature Microbiology, 1 (16170) 16170, 16170. doi: 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.170

Methylotrophic methanogenesis discovered in the archaeal phylum Verstraetearchaeota

2016

Journal Article

Genome-centric resolution of microbial diversity, metabolism and interactions in anaerobic digestion

Vanwonterghem, Inka, Jensen, Paul D., Rabaey, Korneel and Tyson, Gene W. (2016). Genome-centric resolution of microbial diversity, metabolism and interactions in anaerobic digestion. Environmental Microbiology, 18 (9), 3144-3158. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.13382

Genome-centric resolution of microbial diversity, metabolism and interactions in anaerobic digestion

2016

Journal Article

High-rate, high temperature acetotrophic methanogenesis governed by a three population consortium in anaerobic bioreactors

Ho, Dang, Jensen, Paul, Gutierrez-Zamora, Maria-Luisa, Beckmann, Sabrina, Manefield, Mike and Batstone, Damien (2016). High-rate, high temperature acetotrophic methanogenesis governed by a three population consortium in anaerobic bioreactors. PLoS ONE, 11 (8) e0159760, e0159760. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159760

High-rate, high temperature acetotrophic methanogenesis governed by a three population consortium in anaerobic bioreactors

2016

Journal Article

Modelling anaerobic co-digestion in Benchmark Simulation Model No. 2: parameter estimation, substrate characterisation and plant-wide integration

Arnell, Magnus, Astals, Sergi, Amand, Linda, Batstone, Damien J., Jensen, Paul D. and Jeppsson, Ulf (2016). Modelling anaerobic co-digestion in Benchmark Simulation Model No. 2: parameter estimation, substrate characterisation and plant-wide integration. Water Research, 98, 138-146. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.03.070

Modelling anaerobic co-digestion in Benchmark Simulation Model No. 2: parameter estimation, substrate characterisation and plant-wide integration

2016

Journal Article

Recovery of energy and nutrient resources from cattle paunch waste using temperature phased anaerobic digestion

Jensen, Paul D., Mehta, Chirag M., Carney, Chris and Batstone, D. J. (2016). Recovery of energy and nutrient resources from cattle paunch waste using temperature phased anaerobic digestion. Waste Management, 51, 72-80. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.02.039

Recovery of energy and nutrient resources from cattle paunch waste using temperature phased anaerobic digestion

2016

Journal Article

Pilot-scale testing of a leachbed for anaerobic digestion of livestock residues on-farm

Yap, S. D., Astals, S., Jensen, P. D., Batstone, D. J. and Tait, S. (2016). Pilot-scale testing of a leachbed for anaerobic digestion of livestock residues on-farm. Waste Management, 50, 300-308. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.02.031

Pilot-scale testing of a leachbed for anaerobic digestion of livestock residues on-farm

2016

Journal Article

Enhanced methane production from algal digestion using free nitrous acid pre-treatment

Bai, Xue, Lant, Paul A., Jensen, Paul D., Astals, Sergi and Pratt, Steven (2016). Enhanced methane production from algal digestion using free nitrous acid pre-treatment. Renewable Energy, 88, 383-390. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.11.054

Enhanced methane production from algal digestion using free nitrous acid pre-treatment

2016

Journal Article

The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane

Strong, Peter James, Laycock, Bronwyn, Syed Mahamud, Syarifah, Jensen, Paul, Lant, Paul A., Gene Tyson and Pratt, Steven (2016). The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane. Microorganisms, 4 (1) 11, 11. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms4010011

The opportunity for high-performance biomaterials from methane

2015

Journal Article

Semi-aerobic fermentation as a novel pre-treatment to obtain VFA and increase methane yield from primary sludge

Peces, M., Astals, S., Clarke, W. P. and Jensen, P. D. (2015). Semi-aerobic fermentation as a novel pre-treatment to obtain VFA and increase methane yield from primary sludge. Bioresource Technology, 200, 631-638. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.10.085

Semi-aerobic fermentation as a novel pre-treatment to obtain VFA and increase methane yield from primary sludge

2015

Journal Article

Impact of dewatering technologies on specific methanogenic activity

Batstone, Damien J., Lu, Yang and Jensen, Paul D. (2015). Impact of dewatering technologies on specific methanogenic activity. Water Research, 82, 78-85. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.04.005

Impact of dewatering technologies on specific methanogenic activity

2015

Journal Article

Development and validation of a rapid test for anaerobic inhibition and toxicity

Astals, S., Batstone, D. J., Tait, S. and Jensen, P. D. (2015). Development and validation of a rapid test for anaerobic inhibition and toxicity. Water Research, 81, 208-215. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.05.063

Development and validation of a rapid test for anaerobic inhibition and toxicity

2015

Journal Article

Does manure management affect the latent greenhouse gas emitting potential of livestock manures?

Pratt, Chris., Redding, Matthew., Hill, Jaye. and Jensen, Paul D. (2015). Does manure management affect the latent greenhouse gas emitting potential of livestock manures?. Waste Management, 46, 568-576. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.08.019

Does manure management affect the latent greenhouse gas emitting potential of livestock manures?

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Pilot-scale Validation of Anaerobic Co-digestion at Large Municipal STP
    Central SEQ Distributor-Retailer Authority trading as Urban Utilities
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2025
    Revolutionising sludge management, turning costly waste into a safe product (CRC-P administered by Urban Utilities)
    Queensland Urban Utilities
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Waste-to-Energy: fuelling sustainable wastewater treatment with food waste
    Fight Food Waste CRC
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Efficient PFAS removal from urban wastewater using a novel 2-step approach
    ARC Special Research Initiative - PFAS Remediation Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Transforming Wastewater treatment in regional Australia (CRC-P administered by Queensland Urban Utilities)
    Queensland Urban Utilities
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    UHPLC-QTOF-MS for research on emerging chemical pollutants including PFAS
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    In situ remediation in mine site rehabilitation (ARC Linkage Project administered by University of Western Australia)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Transforming Wastewater Treatment Ponds in Rural Australia
    Cooperative Research Centre Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Renewable energy from wastewater derived microalgae
    Queensland Urban Utilities
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Biosolid flow, separation and activity in anaerobic lagoons (ARC Linkage Project administered by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    MLA - Wastes to Profits (Meat and Livestock Australia grant administered by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Churchill Abattoir wastewater characterisation
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Anaerobic pond sludge profiling and trigger point determination
    Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    An integrated Scholarship Program in Water, Water re-use and Environment
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Waste to Value: Energy positive targeted resource recovery from sludge
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    From tailings to soil: in situ remediation in mine site rehabilitation
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Problem to Profit: Developing a sustainable feed base from agricultural wastes using single cell protein
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Assessment of Smouldering as an Efficient and Low-Cost Alternative for Management of Agricultural Solid Wastes
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Investigating water and wastewater reuse and recycling opportunities: identification and segregation of various waste streams
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Bio-upgrading piggery biogas by growing algae, for value-add end uses
    Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Developing new operating protocols for wastewater lagoons through integrated solids modelling
    Melbourne Water Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Specialised odour component analysis to support development and optimisation of odour treatment technologies
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2022
    Anaerobic Ammonium Removal (AAR) Wastewater Treatment Facility
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Strategic evaluation of opportunities and R&D needs for water reuse and recycling in red meat processing operations
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Purple phototrophic bacteria for resource recovery from red meat processing wastewater
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors: In vessel technology for high rate recovery of energy and nutrient resources
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Self cleaning membranes for tallow recovery from abattoir wastewater
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Enhanced Energy Recovery in Australian Industry through Anaerobic Co-digestion
    Queensland Urban Utilities
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Intracellular manufacturing - high performance biomaterials from methane
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2022
    Optimising anaerobic lagoons for improved energy production from waste
    Water Research Australia Research Programs
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors: In vessel technology for high rate recovery of energy and nutrient resources
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Enhanced methane production from pig manure in covered lagoons and digesters
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Integrated agri-industrial wastewater treatment & nutrient recovery year 3
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Fellowship - wastewater R&D in the meat processing Industry
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Nutrient recovery from paunch and CAL lagoon effluent - an extension of the current project
    Australian Meat Processor Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Review and evaluation of the application of anaerobic ammonium removal technology for wastewater treatment (Project No.A.ENV.0162)
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Anaerobic digestion of paunch and DAF sludge
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Integrated agri-industrial wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery Year 2
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    NGERS and wastewater management - mapping waste streams and quantifying the impacts
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Nutrient recovery from paunch and DAF sludge digestate
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Assessing stimulation and inhibition of anaerobic lagoons
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Don't use - erroneously entered twice in RM - Nutrient recovery from paunch and DAF sludge digestate
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Digester sampling analysis to better understand Sydney Water's digester efficiency
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Integrated agroindustrial wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Energy and Nutrient analysis on Individual Waste Streams
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Nutrient Extraction from Spent Bedding and Pond Sludge
    Feedlot Services Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Small medium scale organic solids stabilisation
    ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY CRC
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Water Quality and Environmental Analysis Facility
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Development and sensitivity testing of anaerobic biodegradability, activity and inhibition
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Paul Jensen is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Paul Jensen directly for media enquiries about:

  • Anaerobic Digestion
  • Bio-energy
  • Biogas
  • Biosolids
  • Manure
  • Methane
  • Resource Recovery
  • Sewerage
  • Solid Waste Treatment
  • Waste and Wastewater Treatment

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