NOVELTY - Conversion of a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil involves: (i) preparing a catalyst, preferably containing one or more Group VIII metals in an amount of greater than or equal to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the catalyst; and (ii) contacting a feed containing the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with hydrogen at a temperature in the range of 50-350 degrees C in the presence of the catalyst.    USE - The process is useful for converting a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil (claimed) used in producing biofuels.    ADVANTAGE - The process is safe and cost-efficient, and uses a catalyst with good catalytic activity, and improves the quality of biomass-derived pyrolysis oil.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Conversion a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil involves: (i) preparing a catalyst, preferably containing one or more Group VIII metals in an amount of greater than or equal to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the catalyst, by a method including preparing a basic metal-containing aqueous solution with a pH of equal to or more than 7.0, by mixing one or more Group VIII metal components and a water-soluble base in an aqueous solvent; and impregnating a refractory oxide, selected from titania, zirconia, silica and mixtures, with the basic metal-containing aqueous solution; and (ii) contacting a feed containing the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with hydrogen at a temperature in the range of 50-350 degrees C in the presence of the catalyst. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a method for preparing a catalyst containing one or more Group VIII metals in an amount of greater than or equal to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the catalyst, which involves: preparing a basic metal-containing aqueous solution with a pH of equal to or more than 7.0, by mixing one or more Group VIII metal components and a water-soluble base in an aqueous solvent; and impregnating a refractory oxide, selected from titania, zirconia, silica and mixtures, with the basic metal-containing aqueous solution to prepare an impregnated refractory oxide; drying the impregnated refractory oxide to prepare a catalyst powder or catalyst; and optionally calcining the catalyst powder or catalyst to prepare a calcined catalyst;    (2) a catalyst obtainable or obtained by the latter method; and    (3) an impregnated catalyst which comprises one or more Group VIII metals or metal components; a refractory oxide selected from titania, zirconia, silica and mixtures, which catalyst comprises in the range from equal to or more than 5 wt.% of the one or more Group VIII metals based on the total weight of the catalyst.